DETROIT – With General Motors moving from the Renaissance Center to the new Hudson’s building next year, the future of Detroit’s skyline crown jewel is a question mark.
GM CEO Mary Barra spoke about plans for the iconic Downtown Detroit building during a discussion with Local 4′s Rhonda Walker at the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday.
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Barra was asked if demolishing the Renaissance Center was an option, as the company begins looking at future plans for the building.
“We’re first looking at what can be done, and what would be the appropriate use for the business. We’ve got a year to do that, so that’s where we’re focused,” Barra said.
GM announced the move to the Bedrock’s Hudson’s building in April after 28 years at the RenCen. They plan to move in 2025.
GM, Bedrock, the city of Detroit and Wayne County established a partnership to explore redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site over approximately the next year, prior to GM’s move to Hudson’s Detroit.
“We are proud to remain in the city of Detroit in a modern office building that fits the evolving needs of our workforce, right in the heart of downtown,” Barra said in April. “Our new headquarters will provide collaboration areas for our teams, executive offices and display space for our vehicles. Dan Gilbert and Bedrock have done so much to make downtown Detroit a great place to live, work and visit. We are thrilled to be a significant part of the historic Hudson’s project and also look forward to working with them to explore new ideas and opportunities for the Renaissance Center site and the riverfront.”
The Renaissance Center was built by Henry Ford II, who formed a coalition in the 1970s in an effort to reinvigorate Detroit’s downtown. GM bought the tower complex in 1996 and later moved its headquarters there from a site north of downtown. It has housed the company ever since.