[3] In 1985, theater actor Council Cargle and his wife, Maggie Porter, founded the 40-seat Harmonie Park Playhouse in the basement of the Madison-Lenox Hotel.

[4] In 2004 a group led by sport team owner Mike Ilitch submitted requests for the building's demolition to Detroit's Historic District Commission (HDC).

Despite offers by developers interested in the building, Ilitch declined to sell the property, preferring to demolish the structures to create a parking lot.

[6] Though demolition permits had been denied the city government pressed for the building's destruction nevertheless, stating that the structure was in danger of collapse.

Even though the HDC had originally denied demolition permits they did not oppose the move.