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Detroit Whalers
Arena Name: The Palace of Auburn Hills |
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| The Palace of Auburn Hills |
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| What was the Arena Like? |
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The Palace of Auburn Hills is located in suburban Detroit, 25 miles north of downtown, right off I-75. It's a huge building from the outside and is coloured pink with blue accents. Inside it feels like a newer arena although it's starting to age, having been built in 1988. The Palace was the first arena in North America to move the private luxury boxes from up in the rafters down low, although it doesn't put them between decks - it puts them right in the heart of the lower bowl. As a result, the big-wigs are right in the middle of the action, and can't retreat from contact with the hoi polloi as in other buildings. There are two decks ringing the ice and the Palace is widely considered the "blueprint" for most new arenas constructed in the 1990's. It's very similar to most new buildings, but was revolutionary when it was built. The best thing about the Palace is the "Hall of Fame" - there is a huge museum that contains all kinds of Pistons memorabilia from over the years plus relics and souvenirs from almost every concert that's been held there. There are smashed guitars, drum heads, photos, autographs, and costumes, just like at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and it takes at least a good half-hour to see it all properly. I have never been to any sporting event at the Palace. I saw U2 there in May of 2001, and that was it. If you've been to an event at The Palace, you can contribute by emailing  . |
How To Get There |
| The Palace of Auburn Hills is located at 4 Championship Drive in Auburn Hills, Michigan. From I-75, take exit 81 (Lapeer Rd.) and proceed North on Lapeer Rd. The Palace has three entrances on the left side (West) of Lapeer Rd. The Palace is also accessible from Exits 79 (University Drive) and 83 (Joslyn Road). Signs showing directions to The Palace are posted from all three exits. |
| What's it Used For Today? |
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The Palace of Auburn Hills was only the home of the Detroit Whalers for one season, 1995-96, and even then it shared hosting duties with the smaller Oak Park Ice Arena. In the summer of 1995 the Joe Louis Arena evicted the Junior Wings. They called it a "re-arrangement of priorities", but another way to put it would be "Peter Karmanos and [Red Wings owner] Mike Illitch hate each other". By this time Peter Karmanos, a life-long Red Wings fan, had purchased the NHL's Hartford Whalers and renamed his junior team to reflect that. The cavernous Palace was only used for a few OHL games over the course of the season, and by the end of 1995-96 Karmanos had announced his intention to build his own new arena in Plymouth. The Whalers moved into the Compuware Sports Arena in time for the 1996-97 season. The Palace of Auburn Hills was built primarily for Detroit Pistons basketball and that is still what it's mainly used for. It also hosts concerts and other shows, and is home to the WNBA's Detroit Shock and the Arena Football League's Detroit Fury. |
| Inside the Palace of Auburn Hills |
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Feedback |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at and I'll update the guide. |
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Copyright © Kevin Jordan
2002-08. |