Tall & Urban News

New information has been announced by Bedrock and General Motors in their plans to transform Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center.  They have confirmed during a press release on 25 November that they will be demolishing two of its seven buildings and the complex’s low-rise base. The two slated for demolition are 155-meter 300 and 400 Towers. This will pave the way for a new pedestrian-friendly riverfront redesign.

Under the proposal, General Motors will move its operations to Bedrock’s new Hudson’s Tower downtown, while the remaining three buildings will be reimagined as a blend of residential and hospitality spaces. The redevelopment design is set to enhance connectivity between downtown and the riverfront with a new promenade and public spaces on the reclaimed land. It is part of a larger vision to align the property with Detroit’s economic growth, according to Bedrock CEO Kofi Bonner and GM’s vice president of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship, Dave Massaron.

While some residents and businesses have expressed optimism about revitalizing the site with new activities and retail, others voiced concerns over the loss of popular establishments like Joe Muer and Andiamo, housed in the buildings slated for demolition. Mayor Mike Duggan highlighted the importance of avoiding prolonged stagnation seen with other Detroit landmarks by leveraging public-private partnerships to execute this plan. The proposal, still in its conceptual stages, envisions preserving three towers while creating dynamic public spaces to support the city’s revitalization. T

Read more about this story at WXYZ Detroit's ABC 7.