A new upscale dining option is coming to the Foxtown area.
Prime Concepts Detroit is getting ready to introduce a new Aurora Italiana restaurant at the former PAO Detroit site, 114 W Adams Avenue, Suite 200. This is at the Briggs Houze building that will be converted into a Hyatt Hotel alongside the restaurant. An exact opening date has not yet been announced, but it will debut later this year.
The space will have the capacity for around 110 guests, with two floors as an open-kitchen concept. A menu is being crafted to offer authentic Italian options like pastas and seafood dishes, similar to their other locations. The team plans on preserving the architecture of the building while renovating the space to feature their signature Aurora Italia look.
“Our goal is to create an experience that honors both the incredible history of this landmark building and the timeless appeal of Italian hospitality,” said Joe Barbat, chairman & CEO of Barbat Holdings and Prime Concepts Detroit in a press release. “From preserving the beauty of the historic Michigan Oriental Theater to introducing a warm, rustic trattoria atmosphere, Aurora Italiana Detroit will be a destination where guests can enjoy exceptional food in one of Detroit’s most remarkable spaces.”
Prime Concepts Detroit has been opening restaurants in the Motor City since 2012 when they debuted their flagship Prime29 Steakhouse. Since then, the team has opened other concepts like NARA Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse and Sexy Steak. The team also manages Tribu inside the W Club in Bloomfield Township.
The first Aurora Italiana opened in September 2023 at 6199 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield. From there, the team opened their Commerce Township restaurant in 2024 at 2323 Union Lake Road. When What Now Detroit reached out to the team at Prime Concepts Detroit about the new location, no one was available for comment.
The former PAO site is near the intersection of Park Avenue and W Adams Street, next to the historic Park Avenue building. This is a block west of Grand Circus Park. As it gets closer to the opening, more information on the concept can be found on hospitality group’s website.
