You never know what you’ll find at Spot Lite Bar. Members of the Detroit Symphony might be playing a classical work, or perhaps the founders of techno music will be putting on a show. You can even look at art and buy vinyl records. Created by Roula David, Spot Lite Bar started as an old warehouse and transformed through adaptive reuse.
Recently featured in a segment from the Facebook series “On the Map,” Spot Lite Bar is part record store, part art gallery and part live music venue. The hip, collaborative space encourages creativity of all kinds. In fact, the building went through a creative transformation itself, beginning its life as a warehouse. Now welcoming guests with a coffee bar, art gallery and store, Spot Lite Bar offers a sustainable community gathering spot.
Inhabitat had the chance to talk with founder David about Spot Lite Bar. Discussing the building itself, David explained that it started as a lumber warehouse and storage facility at the turn of the century. Now, the space is home to what David calls “the most diverse audience in Detroit.”
“The entire building is composed of 4 warehouses. The one that Spot Lite occupies did not have water, electricity, a functioning roof or any kind of mechanical HVAC. We had to undergo a complete renovation to have the space be safe and usable. The process from beginning to end took 3.5 years,” David said.
To create this unique space, David considered various renovation ideas. “The renovation for the space was very long,” she told Inhabitat. “We went very much over budget with different curveballs that were sent our way. Once we realized we were close to opening and [had] no money for furnishings, I knew I had to be creative.”
Her solution? Social media! “Facebook Marketplace was a huge resource that we utilized to the max. I was able to mix a selection of furnishings that made the space feel warm and inviting. It was also a very sustainable way for us to begin our business and set a tone for our space.” David used the site to look for rugs, furniture and even glassware. The result is an inviting, beautiful space perfect for inspiring creativity and showcasing all types of art.
“On the Map” spotlights Spot Lite Bar and the artists it hosts. Check out the series to learn more about David and many others who innovate sustainable solutions. The travel series explores the U.S. to find people who are paving the way for a better tomorrow.
Images by Jake Mulka and Christian Najjar
Written by KC Morgan
