Sexy Steak Opens in Detroit’s Grand Army of the Republic Building

The much-anticipated Italian steakhouse in a historic “castle” features two levels of dining rooms and a private Grand Ballroom overlooking the city.
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Photograph courtesy of Prime Concepts Detroit

If you’re looking for a truly royal Motor City dining experience, you can now order steak in downtown Detroit’s palatial “castle” building on Grand River and Cass Avenue (the historic ). At , there’s even the option to pick out your own cut from a display case (lined with Himalayan salt) before it’s cooked.

The much-anticipated Italian steakhouse from (the same company behind , , ) opened Monday, Feb. 26. In addition to prime cuts, the restaurant features an oyster bar, and serves freshly made pasta, veal, and seafood dishes like lobster scampi and dover sole.

At 4,000 square feet and 120 seats, the massive first-floor dining room is only the beginning. There’s an additional 3,000-square-foot dining area and lounge upstairs, dubbed The Centurion Room, which can accommodate up to 100 more guests. Plus, levels 3 and 4 will serve as private event spaces. That includes a 4th floor Grand Ballroom, which can seat up to 180 guests, and features views of downtown Detroit, a mezzanine balcony, and a private bridal sweet.

Developer bought the building in 2023. In a press release, the developer says much of the building’s historic features were left intact or faithfully restored —including the original windows, the tiling by the entrance, and the staircase details. The interior was designed in collaboration with in Royal Oak, with wallpapers by .

The GAR building’s historian, Bruce Butgereit, also helped create a memorial space within the building featuring artifacts that highlight the 30,000-square-foot building’s history. The Richardsonian Romanesque-style structure was built at the turn of the 20th century and was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It was once a meeting place for members of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Civil War veterans’ organization.

Sexy Steak serves dinner from 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit .