April 16, 20241 yr Personally, I think RenCen is atrocious. It is just a monster that overwhelms the skyline. I like having GM jobs move into the denser, walkable part of the city.
April 16, 20241 yr I like the RenCen, personally. I especially like the interior of it. I came across some photos of the construction a couple of years ago, and it's pretty fascinating. This isn't the site I remember, but there are still some good photos (and interesting that GM unveiled plans to add a huge renovation to the front in 2016 that never came to fruition) It's a behemoth, though, and really is pretty detached from the rest of the city. I think hotel and residential is better suited for the health of downtown because office employees likely won't leave the RenCen to go into downtown Detroit. They'll probably pack their lunch, order delivery, or eat in the food court. Going out to dinner from your hotel or condo is completely different than a lunch break, so I would prefer to expand the hotel and residential options at RenCen. Not sure what the market can support.
April 18, 20241 yr The new location will create a lot more foot traffic in the center of the city. This is good for Detroit!
April 18, 20241 yr thats great news. im sure gm will appreciate the modern office space. rencen will do fine as a res conversion. i never liked that dam monsterous thing, inside or out. its an eyesore, but it exists — and im glad it will be kept in good use. 👍
April 24, 20241 yr Nice Detroit development piece in the WSJ, emphasizing Dan Gilbert As I read it I realized how much he has learned from his time in Cleveland, which is not to diminish the positive results in Detroit or Dan Gilbert in any way. It's a great achievement. https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/reversing-the-real-estate-doom-loop-is-possible-just-look-at-detroit-0916d6f7?mod=hp_lead_pos7 Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 11, 20241 yr u/c wilson centennial park update — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6oMs2bLGjz/?igsh=MjY5MTZvbmtydmc1
May 26, 20241 yr On 12/16/2023 at 10:40 AM, newyorker said: Outside of Chicago, I believe Detroit has the most impressive skyline in the Midwest. This new building by Bedrock will add a much needed pop of glass as is also the case with SW new building in Cleveland. Both cities are on the rise IMO. The new cities will never have the old historic to blend with new modern construction. Spent last weekend in Detroit and stayed in the Greektown Casino Hotel, on a higher up floor, facing the city. Best city views I’ve had just about anywhere, because it’s essentially in a perfect location. Agree on the skyline, it’s a beauty. Hudson’s building is just about topped out. Agree with other posters about the RenCen. Kind of cool on its own, especially the interior is interesting, but it’s horrible from an urban planning standpoint. Residential would be the best option but would be quite a large number of units to absorb. Sounds like GM is going to get Bedrock involved. Last note, in general, amazing to see how far downtown Detroit has come since I first started going there ten years ago. Streets were packed - Even the people mover was being quite well utilized.
June 2, 20241 yr r u ready? june 6 — 💥🎉🤟 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7o_X0UuZRj/?igsh=NjVicm8ybGllbGVp
June 3, 20241 yr the residences at water square — 👍 ^ how’s that for a bland, gentrifer seeking developerspeak name? 😂 287’/24 fl via pianowizard on the people mover
June 3, 20241 yr Just incredible. Twenty years ago, I expected this would be demolished. I never thought I'd see the day. They even re-opened the limestone quarry that they got the original stone from so it could match. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 5, 20241 yr first look inside mich central — 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7v9zx8MnLQ/?igsh=YmQxbW0xNTF0YXFo
June 12, 20241 yr Once that bridge is complete you'll finally be able to bicycle from Detroit to Canada.
June 21, 2024Jun 21 they connected !! 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8M6SggMniq/?igsh=Y2lvcDl6eWFveTJt
July 4, 2024Jul 4 JW coming downtown. https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2024/07/03/jw-marriott-confirmed-downtown-detroit/74290632007/
July 11, 2024Jul 11 Renaissance Center could see demolition of most towers https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2024/07/11/detroit-renaissance-center-future-demolition-towers/74342542007/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 13, 2024Jul 13 Damn...this is really disappointing news. I could see the two towers off to the north being cleared to make way for something else, but the main cluster of 5? That's going to seriously ruin the skyline, this complex, etc. I know it's not great urbanism, but I do think there's a lot of value in maintaining this complex. I'm nervous we'll wind up with just the central tower and a very neutered atrium/base that turns this into a generic tower in the end.
October 18, 2024Oct 18 Plans scaled back for large mixed-use project near Detroit's Whole Foods A presentation forthcoming from the development team behind The Mid project on Woodward Avenue north of Mack Avenue and the Whole Foods Inc. grocery store says a planned Thompson Hotel, part of the Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. family of hotel flags, should be complete by January 2027. It is slightly reduced in scale to 216 rooms across 15 floors, down from 225 or so as originally conceived. Other components to be started later, according to City Planning Commission briefing documents to be considered as part of a presentation tonight, include: A seven-story, 485-space parking deck starting construction in the summer 2026 and wrapping up in the spring 2027; A seven-story, 217-unit multifamily building atop first-floor retail space for eight stories total starting construction in the spring 2027 and completing in the winter 2029; A 13-story, 153-unit apartment building atop the seven-story parking garage for 20 stories total starting in the spring 2029 and completing in the fall 2031; Retail space across all components totaling about 55,300 square feet. More below: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/plans-mid-development-scaled-back-midtown "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 17, 2024Nov 17 detroit updates — https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCX_6OIJaNC/?igsh=YTBzN3djNTZlZ2Nj
November 24, 2024Nov 24 detroit xmas tree lighting — https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCu2jacJVBC/?igsh=MmU4cG5mN2g3c3g1
November 25, 2024Nov 25 Ren Cen future: New development plan calls for demolition of 2 towers Bedrock and General Motors announced a plan for the future of the Renaissance Center that would include demolishing two of the seven towers. According to the two organizations, the plan "right-sizes" the RenCen's footprint along the Detroit riverfront. Bedrock entered into an agreement with GM earlier this year that would allow them to redevelop the RenCen site with plans for GM to move into Bedrock's new Hudson's Tower in Downtown Detroit. According to the companies, the plan includes removing the low-rise base of the complex and the two office towers closest to the river. The three remaining towers would be a mix of hospitality and housing. The low-rise base of the complex would also be removed, and then a new pedestrian promenade would be constructed to connect the downtown area to the riverfront. Other plans include turning reclaimed land into public spaces and reconfiguring the site to allow direct access to the buildings and the riverfront. More below: https://www.wxyz.com/news/ren-cen-future-new-development-plan-calls-for-demolition-of-2-towers "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 25, 2024Nov 25 RenCen would lose two towers, add apartments, riverfront park under new proposal The Renaissance Center would shrink to three towers with residential, office and hotel tenancy to create space for a six-acre riverfront park in a more than $1.6 billion redevelopment plan that would make billionaire mortgage mogul Dan Gilbert's real estate firm shared owner of the complex with current owner General Motors Co. The proposal is a "right-sizing" of a Detroit skyline icon for a new era of downtown living and work use, said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock Detroit LLC, Gilbert's real estate company. Questions around the future of Michigan's tallest skyscraper arose in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted workplace models, sent many to do their jobs remotely and increasingly moved consumers to shopping online. The matter exacerbated when GM in April said it was relocating its headquarters to the Bedrock-owned Hudson’s Detroit development next year. The automaker committed to working with Bedrock to find a solution for the Ren Cen within a year. More below: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2024/11/25/renaissance-center-general-motors-bedrock-detroit-dan-gilbert-redevelopment-riverfront-rencen-gm/76566223007/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 25, 2024Nov 25 I'm not usually one for demolishing towers but in this case it's such an improvement. It's impressive. It shows off the main tower in all its glory. The interaction with the river is beautiful.
November 25, 2024Nov 25 Of course ColDayMan jumped on this first! I'm thinking he actually lives in Detroit but has us all believing he lives in C-bus, or is that Dayton, or is that Cincy. Anyhoo, here's a PR from the land of the Flintstones... https://bedrockdetroit.com/press-releases/bedrock-and-general-motors-share-vision-for-redevelopment-of-renaissance-center-and-detroit-riverfront/ Bedrock and General Motors share vision for redevelopment of Renaissance Center and Detroit Riverfront Transformational plan offers housing, hospitality, and new public spaces November 25, 2024 See HERE for high-resolution renderings Companies partner to preserve the RenCen and redevelop a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront destination A new 27-acre entertainment district would be a catalyst for development along the riverfront DETROIT – Bedrock and General Motors announce a conceptual plan to redevelop the Renaissance Center (RenCen) and 27 acres along the Detroit riverfront. The plan preserves the essence of Detroit’s skyline, “right sizes” the RenCen’s footprint, and connects the site to the heart of downtown. The surrounding entertainment district would become a vibrant waterfront destination, drawing international visitors and featuring restaurants, hospitality, residential and market space—complementing Detroit’s award-winning Riverwalk, which draws more than 3.5 million annual visitors to the city. Earlier this year, GM and Bedrock, with the city of Detroit and Wayne County, established a partnership to study redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site. A team of urban planners, architects and engineers analyzed several possibilities to determine the best possible outcome. First opened in 1976, the Renaissance Center is Michigan’s most iconic and recognizable building. When GM purchased the building in 1996, it was a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Detroit and development of the Riverwalk. To date, GM has invested more than $1 billion in improvements to the RenCen site, however, it must be reinvented to be viable into the future. Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock, emphasized the Renaissance Center’s significance: “This iconic landmark’s future is important to Detroit and Michigan, and our shared vision with General Motors ensures that its redevelopment aligns with Detroit’s economic advancement. Additionally, our collaborative approach makes certain that the reimagined Renaissance Center and the riverfront further augment and support the city’s continued growth, benefiting the community and region at large.” A New Vision The conceptual plan calls for the iconic property to be reinvented to serve the people of Michigan, drawing international tourism, and providing opportunities for growth and connectivity by: Creating a new pedestrian promenade connecting the heart of the city to the riverfront. Removing the low-rise base of the complex and the two office towers nearest the river, creating an inviting destination and reducing obsolete office space. Redeveloping three towers into a mix of hospitality and housing, preserving the essence of the skyline. Turning reclaimed land into signature public spaces. Reconfiguring the flow of the site to allow direct access to the buildings and the riverfront. “GM has the best possible partner with Bedrock in this effort to redevelop the Renaissance Center,” said Dave Massaron, Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship for General Motors. “Nobody has repurposed more buildings in Detroit than Dan Gilbert and his Bedrock team. This is another chapter in their unprecedented commitment to building the best possible future for the city and Michigan.” Bedrock and General Motors have committed to funding the majority of the project, with the remainder contingent on public financing. Over the coming weeks, the proposed redevelopment plan will be presented to local and state leaders to determine if, based on public support and legislative funding approval, it is possible to move forward with the redevelopment. ### General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM's Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry's widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com. About Bedrock Bedrock is a full-service real estate firm specializing in innovative city building strategies. Since its founding in 2011, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $7.5 billion to acquire, develop and operate more than 140 properties in Detroit and Cleveland with landmark developments at Hudson’s Detroit, Book Tower, City Modern, Tower City Center and the May Company Building. Bedrock’s projects include new construction, adaptive reuse and a portfolio totaling more than 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, industrial, hospitality and parking. For additional information about Bedrock, please visit bedrockdetroit.com or engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 2024Nov 25 I don't care for it. I'd rather the core five towers remain and start demolition with the two smaller towers to the north. Right now it looks like something is missing; and that the Peachtree Center has invaded Detroit. The "smokestack" feel of the core towers is part of Detroit's identity, imho.
November 26, 2024Nov 26 3 hours ago, KJP said: Of course ColDayMan jumped on this first! I'm thinking he actually lives in Detroit but has us all believing he lives in C-bus, or is that Dayton, or is that Cincy. Anyhoo, here's a PR from the land of the Flintstones... Meh, I just work there. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 26, 2024Nov 26 Man, I was really hoping they would come up with a way to save the four main office towers (100-400) and the central hotel tower, and demolish the two smaller towers (500-600) that were added on in the 80s.
November 28, 2024Nov 28 Now with the RenCen being redeveloped, do you think they can build some towers along Detroit's riverfront? Also, I just have a thought that the new space from the demolished buildings could be used for a transit hub and commuter rail station.
November 29, 2024Nov 29 Well, it used to be. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 1, 2024Dec 1 So could they rebuild that station? Downtown Detroit seems missing a major multi-modal transit hub. Add that to the already existing New Center station and MCS and you'd have 3 major train stations for Detroit's central area.
December 1, 2024Dec 1 No, they ripped up all those tracks and converted it into a bike lane: https://detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/dequindre-cut/dequindre-cut "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 1, 2024Dec 1 Ruh roh... ‘Extortion’ tactic: GM panned for floating five-tower RenCen demo if tax breaks rejected If General Motors and Dan Gilbert can’t secure the public funding they say they need to revamp the struggling Renaissance Center, the automaker says it’s prepared to demolish the five towers it owns and bear the full cost. GM confirmed in a statement to the Free Press that full demolition is a possible alternative to its proposal to partially demolish and renovate the complex, after it faced pushback from a chorus of lawmakers opposed to helping publicly fund a plan to tear down two towers and renovate three. That plan has also drawn critics from the architectural and preservation communities, who called it shortsighted and ill-conceived. By threatening to tear down the group of skyscrapers that includes Michigan’s tallest if taxpayer support doesn't come through, the developers are trying to force their vision on the public, said Detroit-based urbanist and University of Michigan architecture professor Craig Wilkins. ... If it’s unable to secure public funding, GM has said it would fully demolish the main cluster of towers rather than sell to speculators who might let them decay. It has described its planned $250 million investment in the revamp proposal with Gilbert as "philanthropic." “Our desire is to preserve the iconic skyline that is synonymous with Detroit by funding the overwhelming majority of the project in partnership with Bedrock — but all options remain on the table,” GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said in a statement. “If it ultimately comes to demolition, General Motors is willing (to) cover the cost, so the site doesn't fall into disrepair.” More below: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/12/01/gm-tear-down-rencen-towers-subsidies-rejected/76658555007/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 2, 2024Dec 2 20 hours ago, ColDayMan said: No, they ripped up all those tracks and converted it into a bike lane: https://detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/dequindre-cut/dequindre-cut Do they have to use that specific ROW or can they build tracks elsewhere?
December 2, 2024Dec 2 2 hours ago, Philly215jawns said: Do they have to use that specific ROW or can they build tracks elsewhere? There are sections they can build LRT but I doubt they'd ever bring back commuter rail tracks. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 3, 2024Dec 3 this sitch for the ren cen is unthinkable, but i would hate to see gilbert tossing in his spare change for it. we need that spare coin of his for the cle cuyahoga waterfront.
December 17, 2024Dec 17 Wow, I beat @ColDayMan to a Detroit development newsbomb! 💣 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 18, 2024Dec 18 I'm eating, darnit!!! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 16Jan 16 $14.2M project would bring more apartments to Detroit's Avenue of Fashion A joint venture between Warren-based builder Brown Schroeder & Co. and Shelby Township-based BmK Design+Planning LLC is planning to tear down the former Fred’s Furniture Liquidation Inc. store at 20201 Livernois Ave. a block and a half south of Eight Mile Road and replace it with a $14.2 million mixed-use building. The three-story building would include 50 apartments, plus a 4,000-square-foot restaurant and another 3,000-square-foot commercial space, said Kevin Schroeder of Brown Schoeder & Co. On Tuesday, Schroder said demolition would begin this spring and construction would wrap up in 2027. He said there is a signed letter of intent with a local restaurant owner, but declined to identify them. More below: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate-insider/freds-furniture-building-be-torn-down-new-142m-project "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 16Jan 16 New I-75 cap renderings show park spaces bridging downtown The renderings, designed based on feedback from the project’s community meetings last year, depict three parks on "overbuilds" along I-75. Designs show a mix of open green space with grass and trees, outdoor gathering and dining space as well as play areas. The three caps under consideration would be located in the heart of downtown Detroit and help connect venues north of the freeway to the southern side — namely Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park and Ford Field, as well as the under-construction University of Michigan Center for Innovation. Cap locations are being considered for Woodward Avenue, John R and Brush streets, as well as at Grand River Avenue. Each of three proposed caps would be 600-800 feet long. AECOM, a Texas-headquartered infrastructure consulting firm, was hired by the DDP for the initial feasibility study. More below: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/i-75-cap-renderings-show-new-park-space-downtown "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 16Jan 16 Joe Louis Greenway gets additional $13M in grants for construction The federal grant to the city of Detroit will help fund construction of a one-mile path between Woodward Avenue and Dequindre Street in Detroit and Highland Park as part of the nearly 30-mile-long greenway connecting 23 Detroit neighborhoods to three cities: Dearborn, Hamtramck and Highland Park.The new mile-long path will include a new bridge over the Canadian National Railroad track and transformation of vacant land under I-75 and south of Second Ebenezer Church. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and wrap up by early 2028. Detroit and Highland Park are divided by an industrial corridor, rail, truck routes and a major freeway. The new greenway path will provide a safe east-to-west, nonmotorized way to get between the two cities, the city of Detroit said in a news release. More below: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/sports-recreation/joe-louis-greenway-gets-additional-13m-construction "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 16Jan 16 53 minutes ago, ColDayMan said: New I-75 cap renderings show park spaces bridging downtown The renderings, designed based on feedback from the project’s community meetings last year, depict three parks on "overbuilds" along I-75. Designs show a mix of open green space with grass and trees, outdoor gathering and dining space as well as play areas. The three caps under consideration would be located in the heart of downtown Detroit and help connect venues north of the freeway to the southern side — namely Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park and Ford Field, as well as the under-construction University of Michigan Center for Innovation. Cap locations are being considered for Woodward Avenue, John R and Brush streets, as well as at Grand River Avenue. Each of three proposed caps would be 600-800 feet long. AECOM, a Texas-headquartered infrastructure consulting firm, was hired by the DDP for the initial feasibility study. More below: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/i-75-cap-renderings-show-new-park-space-downtown Fort Washington Way WHEN!?
January 19Jan 19 They could just simply remove the I-75 (Fisher fwy) and stitch together the urban fabric and build on the reclaimed street blocks. Then you would have a seamless urban environment between downtown and midtown.
January 22Jan 22 three caps??? is this really going to happen? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5iD8-poAs/?igsh=MTJkM3RiYWVqbzRsNw==
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