In the mid-1990s, General Motors (GM) began scouting locations for a new global headquarters. The automaking giant initially considered a suburban location, following the trend set by many Detroit-based companies, or retrofitting its existing New Center facilities, located five miles (8.05 km) north of downtown.

But in 1996, GM opted to undertake the bold and symbolic step of returning to downtown, initiating a radical makeover of the 5.5 million-square-foot (510,967-m²) GM Renaissance Center, representing one of North America’s most extensive and massive renovations ever completed. The new GM Renaissance Center—a complex of seven interconnected skyscrapers—has reintroduced the notoriously isolated megastructure to downtown Detroit, providing a connection to the central city and the revitalized waterfront. The plan includes 140 acres of adjacent land along the Detroit River that is slated primarily for residential development.

Developer for Redevelopment
Hines
Houston, TX

Owner
General Motors Corporation
Detroit, MI

Architect for Redevelopment
Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP
Chicago, IL

Website
www.gmrencen.com

Principal Author(s)
Theodore Thoerig

ULI Awards for Excellence 2008 Winner