Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square to Open at New JW Marriott Detroit Water Square

Photo Courtesy of Water Square

DETROIT  – October 2025 – Water Square, in conjunction with the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, announced that Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square, will serve as the signature restaurant inside the forthcoming JW Marriott Detroit Water Square. The restaurant is slated to open its doors in Jan. 2027, coinciding with the hotel’s grand opening.

Located on the site of the former Joe Louis Arena,

the Water Square development is transforming Detroit’s riverwalk into a vibrant new destination for dining, entertainment and residential living. With direct access to the Detroit Riverwalk, Huntington Place and the forthcoming Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park, Water Square is already home to The Residences at Water Square, a luxury apartment building that opened in 2024. Further, the extension of Second Avenue over the Lodge Freeway to the Riverwalk will make access to the Water Square district from downtown convenient and enjoyable. The extension is scheduled to be open in the spring of 2026.

Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square will build on the success of the group’s chophouse locations in Las Vegas, Clinton Township and Fenton. Known for serving fine Italian cuisine for 37 years, Andiamo will deliver a high-end dining experience in a setting designed to match the prestige of the JW Marriott brand. The restaurant will seat approximately 200 guests indoors, with additional outdoor seating available during warmer months along the riverwalk. The floor to ceiling windows and prime location will create a dining atmosphere unlike anything in the city. Currently in the development stage with its architect and designer. In the words of Joe Vicari “Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square will bring the signature hospitality and culinary excellence our guests expect,” said Vicari. “This prime waterfront location is the perfect setting to showcase Andiamo’s tradition of fine Italian dining in the heart of downtown Detroit.”

The Water Square project, led by Sterling Group, includes the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square,

The Residences at Water Square, and retail and public plazas. The development’s design prioritizes walkability and connectivity, tying together downtown Detroit, the Riverwalk, the new 22-acre Ralph Wilson Park and more. The JW Marriott Detroit Water Square will feature 600 guest rooms across 25 stories and five podium levels that include public spaces such as a ground-floor restaurant, lobby bar, two ballrooms, a full-service spa, fitness center, swimming pool and nearly 50,000 square feet of meeting space. Among its highlights are a grand ballroom of approximately 17,000 square feet and a direct, pedestrian skybridge to Huntington Place Convention Center, offering seamless access for convention and event attendees. Just steps away, The Residences at Water Square provides hundreds of luxury apartments designed with modern amenities, expansive floor plans, and unparalleled views of both the Detroit skyline and the riverwalk, creating a true live-work-play environment within the district. The recently renamed Water Square Detroit People Mover station further enhances connectivity, linking the district directly to the broader downtown transit network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square as the first announced restaurant at Water Square,” said Danny Samson, chief development officer at Sterling Group. “Their presence reinforces our commitment to making this district not only an economic catalyst for downtown Detroit, but also a place where people will come together for exceptional experiences. With The Residences at Water Square already open, and the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square soon to follow, this is truly becoming a one-of-a-kind neighborhood on the riverwalk.”

Water Square marks one of the most ambitious redevelopments in Detroit’s modern history,

breathing new life into a storied site while contributing to the city’s momentum and future. The district is designed to generate hundreds of jobs, attract visitors from around the region, and expand access to the riverwalk for everyone. Claude Molinari, chairperson of the board of the Huntington Place Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority is also enthusiastic about the new restaurant. “The addition of the Andiamo Italian Chophouse at Water Square is another significant step toward the creation of the unique, 24-hour district that will be a powerful tool to attract more visitors and conventions to the City, and provide them with a first-class experience. We are honored to have the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group at Water Square,” said Molinari.

By combining hospitality, residential living, dining, and public space, Water Square is becoming a signature destination that showcases the best of Detroit’s energy and innovation.

About Joe Vicari Restaurant Group

The Joe Vicari Restaurant Group is one of Michigan’s largest restaurant operators, featuring the award-winning Andiamo Italian Steakhouse brand, Joe Muer Seafood and other premier dining concepts. With a reputation for quality cuisine and warm hospitality, the group has been a staple of Metro Detroit’s culinary scene for almost 40 years.

About Sterling Group

The Sterling Group is a Detroit-based real estate investment and development firm with a track record of transformative projects throughout Detroit and beyond. Focused on building places that connect communities and drive long-term value, Sterling Group is the master developer of Water Square, one of the city’s most significant riverwalk redevelopments.