For its 34th annual Detroit International Wine Auction, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) set out to raise the bar. In partnership with Cadillac/General Motors, CCS aimed to host one of Southeast Michigan’s most anticipated fundraising galas—this time with a twist. The venue? A century-old airplane hangar at Detroit City Airport.
The theme, “The Art of Wine,” called for elegance, artistry, and immersion. But transforming a raw, industrial aircraft hangar into a high-end gala space for 500+ black-tie guests was no small task. The venue needed to reflect both the sophistication of the event and the creative spirit of CCS, while also supporting high-tech production needs, fine dining, a live auction, and a headline performance.
Bluewater stepped in to reimagine the hangar from the ground up. Our team designed and executed a full spatial transformation—blending lighting, staging, AV, and creative design to craft an environment that was both immersive and refined. The space came to life with vibrant art displays, warm lighting, and theatrical production that supported key moments, including the silent and live auctions, a performance by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and an after-party hosted by Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers.
The night was a triumph. The event raised a record-breaking $3 million, with auction highlights like two $100,000 dinner packages at the home of GM President Daniel Ammann. Guests were swept away by a truly one-of-a-kind experience that delivered on every level—visual, emotional, and philanthropic. The funds raised will provide free art classes for over 4,000 Detroit children and vital support for CCS students in need.
Bluewater’s transformation of the hangar into a luxurious, high-energy event venue proved that with the right vision—and the right partner—any space can become extraordinary.
