Renaissance Center
Encyclopedia
Renaissance Center is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in Downtown
Detroit, Michigan
, United States
. Located on the International Riverfront
, the Renaissance Center complex is owned by General Motors
as its world headquarters. The central tower, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, is the
tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere
, and features the largest rooftop restaurant, Coach Insignia. It has been the tallest building in Michigan
since its erection in 1977.
John Portman
was the principal architect for the original design. The first phase constructed a five tower rosette
rising from a common base. Four 39-story office towers surround the 73-story hotel rising from a square-shaped podium which includes a shopping center, restaurants, brokerage firms, banks, a four-screen movie theatre, private clubs. The first phase officially opened in March 1977. Portman's design renewed attention to city architecture, constructing the world's tallest hotel at the time. Two additional 21-story office towers (known as Tower 500 and Tower 600) opened in 1981. This type of complex has been termed a city within a city.
In 2004, General Motors completed a US$500 million renovation of the class-A center as its world headquarters, which it had purchased in 1996. The renovation included the addition of the five-story Wintergarden atrium, which provides access to the International Riverfront
. Architects for the renovation included Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, SmithGroup
, and Ghafari Associates. Work continued in and around the complex until 2005. Renaissance Center totals 5552000 square feet (515,797.7 m²) making it one of the world's largest office complexes.
and financed primarily by the Ford Motor Company
, the Renaissance Center became the world's largest private development with an anticipated 1971 cost of $500 million. The project was intended to revitalize the economy of Detroit. In its first year of operation it generated over $1 billion in economic growth for the downtown.
In 1970, Ford Motor Company Chairman Henry Ford II teamed up with other business leaders to form Detroit Renaissance, a private non-profit development organization, which he headed in order to stimulate building activity in the city. The group announced the first phase of construction in 1971. In addition, Detroit Renaissance contributed to a variety of other projects within the downtown area in the ensuing decades. Henry Ford II sold the concept of the RenCen to the City and community leaders. Detroit Mayor
Roman Gribbs
touted the project as a complete rebuilding from bridge to bridge, referring to the area between the Ambassador Bridge
that connects Detroit to Windsor, Ontario
and the MacArthur Bridge, which connects the city with Belle Isle Park
.
The city within a city arose. The first tower of the Renaissance Center opened on July 1, 1976. Principal architect
John Portman
was also the architect for the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and the Peachtree Center
in Atlanta, Georgia
; the Embarcadero Center
in San Francisco, California
; and the Bonaventure Hotel
in Los Angeles, California
. For phase I, the facade of the first five towers was covered with 2000000 square feet (185,806.1 m²) of glass, and used about 400000 cubic yards (305,821.9 m³) of concrete. This did not include the additional glass used for the atriums.
Phase I of the Renaissance Center cost $337 million to construct, employing 7,000 workers. In 1977, the central hotel tower of the Renaissance Center, which opened as the Western International Detroit Plaza Hotel, became the world's tallest all-hotel skyscraper, surpassing its architectural twin, the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta (Western International Hotels became Westin in 1980). In 1986, what is today known as the Swissôtel The Stamford
in Singapore
surpassed it. Since 1986, the Renaissance Center's central tower has held the distinction as the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere
.
On April 15, 1977, Henry Ford II and Detroit mayor Coleman Young
unveiled a plaque commemorating the private investors whose funds made the project possible and, later that evening, 650 business and society leaders attended a benefit celebrating the Renaissance Center's formal dedication. The money raised from the $300-per-couple tickets went to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
. When it opened, the cylindrical central tower was originally the flagship
of the Westin Hotels
. The top three floors of the hotel hosted an upscale restaurant, The Summit, that rotated to allow a 360 degree
view. The shopping center in the podium originally housed boutiques, but now contains a greater complement of restaurants in the retail mix.
In 1980, Detroit hosted the Republican National Convention
and presidential nominee Ronald Reagan
and former President Gerald Ford
both stayed at the Renaissance Center while in attendance.
Metro Detroit expanded upon the city within a city concept with the nearby 2200000 square feet (204,386.7 m²) Southfield Town Center office complex with its five inter-connected golden skyscrapers constructed from 1975 to 1989. In the ensuing years, the Renaissance Center would face competition from the growing suburban office market.
In 1987, the elevated Detroit People Mover
transit line, after many years of construction, began operation with a stop at the Renaissance Center
. At first, the Ford Motor Company had occupied many offices in the building. In 1996, General Motors purchased the complex and moved its world headquarters to the Renaissance Center downtown from what is now the historic Cadillac Place
state office complex in the New Center
district, northwest of downtown.
Architects' initial design for the Renaissance Center focused on creating secure interior spaces, while its design later expanded and improved to connect with the exterior spaces and waterfront through a reconfigured interior, open glass entryways, and a Wintergarden.
By 2004, GM completed an extensive $500 million renovation of the Renaissance Center. This included a $100 million makeover for the hotel. Among GM's first actions was to remove the concrete berms facing Jefferson Avenue. The renovation includes a lighted glass walkway which encircles the interior mezzanine for ease of navigation, while the addition of the Wintergarden provides riverfront access and a view of Canada. A covered skyway
over Jefferson Avenue connects to the Millender Center, Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown Detroit
, and Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
.
The Renaissance Center is owned by General Motors. The hotel in the central tower is now managed by the Marriott
hotel chain and is called the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The 1,298 room hotel is one of the largest operated by Marriott. The rooftop restaurant (which no longer rotates) received a $10 million renovation and is operated by the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group's Coach Insignia. It serves Coach wines, a product of the Fisher family whose legacy includes Fisher Body
, a name which is part of GM history.
The Renaissance Center's renovation provides for the prospect of continued development and restorations throughout the city. Architectural critics have touted the city's architecture as among America's finest.
In July 2010, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
announced plans to lease 435245 square feet (40,435.6 m²) of Tower 500 and Tower 600 and relocate 3,000 of its employees from its building in Southfield, Michigan.
The Renaissance Center's modernist architecture
balances the city's panoramic waterfront skyline
, a frequent feature in photography taken from the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario
. From the top of the Renaissance Center's Coach Insignia restaurant, patrons peer down upon the neogothic spires of One Detroit Center and city's Financial District
skyscrapers and stadiums. The view from the top extends for 30 miles (48.3 km) in all directions. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
is located just across Jefferson Avenue. A pedestrian walkway over Jefferson Avenue connects the complex to the Millender Center and leads beyond to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
. Hart Plaza, Cobo Center (home to the North American International Auto Show
) and Joe Louis Arena
, home of the Detroit Red Wings
, are several blocks to the west. Comerica Park
and Ford Field
, venues for the Detroit Tigers
and Detroit Lions
, respectively, are approximately one-mile north. The US portal of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel emerges adjacent to the western boundary of the Renaissance Center. Renaissance Center is a station on the Detroit People Mover
.
In the 1989 film Collision Course
starring Jay Leno and Pat Morita, the Renaissance Center was featured when Morita's character and Leno meet for the first time in which Morita is considered a suspect and chased through the beautiful hotel.
In the 1990 film adaptation of Presumed Innocent
, there is a skyline view of Detroit very early in the film which clearly shows the Renaissance Center, filmed from across the river in Windsor, Ontario
.
In the 1998 Steven Soderbergh
film adaptation of Out of Sight
, the main characters meet in the revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Center. The scene was filmed on location.
The 1999 film Detroit Rock City
has views of the Renaissance Center, which would have been newly constructed during the film's 1978 setting.
In 2004, the Renaissance Center was featured in the Kevin Costner
and Joan Allen
film The Upside of Anger
. Costner's character plays a DJ for WRIF
101 FM, a real Detroit FM rock station, whose studio (in the film) is housed in the Renaissance Center. The Renaissance Center is also featured in the films Grosse Pointe Blank
and Action Jackson
.
For the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, which was played at Comerica Park
in Detroit, the center tower of the Renaissance Center was wrapped with an image of a large baseball smashing into the tower, with "4,612 FT" written below it to indicate the distance from home plate at Comerica Park (see photograph above). For Super Bowl XL
, held at Detroit's Ford Field
on February 5, 2006, a large National Football League
logo was wrapped around the main tower just beneath the GM logo. The Renaissance Center also hosted the major media for Super Bowl XL. GM offered the Wintergarden a venue for the annual Fash Bash, a fashion event and fundraiser coordinated by the Detroit Institute of Arts
.
Kid Rock
's 2008 music video for "Roll On
" featured the Renaissance Center along with several other well-known structures in Detroit. The History Channel's Life After People: The Series "Roads to Nowhere" episode featured the Renaissance Center. Renaissance Center replicas have become souvenir items along with other Detroit skyscrapers.
In 2010, the center was featured on the cover of Eminem
's seventh studio album Recovery.
The Renaissance Center, along with other Detroit landmarks, appears frequently in the 2010 television drama Detroit 1-8-7
.
where the complex measures 14 feet (4.27 m) taller. Entirely owned by General Motors, the complex has 5552000 square feet (515,797.7 m²) of space. The main Renaissance Center complex rises from a 14 acres (5.7 ha) site. The complex is designed in the Modern architectural
style with glass as a main material.
Famous for its cylindrical design, the central hotel tower's diameter
is 188 feet (57 m). A lighted glass walkway radiates the mezzanine
level and encircles the base of cylindrical hotel tower for ease of navigation. This ringed glass walkway is about 12 feet (3.7 m) wide and has a circumference
of approximately 660 feet (201.2 m) or about one-eighth of a mile around. The ringed walkway's diameter is approximately 210 feet (64 m). It links to several other walkways in the complex. The five-story Wintergarden atrium leads into the central area which has an eight-story atrium lobby with artificial ponds, rounded concrete
balconies
, and terraces. Floors 71 through 73 include the Coach Insignia, an upscale restaurant with a lounge area/observation floor where the view extends for over 30 miles (48.3 km). The hotel has no floor labeled 7, 8, or 13. The hotel features a major conference center with 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) of meeting space including a Renaissance Ballroom for up to 2,200 guests with 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²) for events, one of the largest in the United States.
John Portman
designed the five-building rosette
with interior spaces. In 1977, its central tower opened as the tallest hotel in the world. It remains the tallest all hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The smaller cylinders on sides of all the towers house the elevator
s. The four surrounding 39-story office towers (100-400) each reach 522 feet (159 m) and have a total of 2200000 square feet (204,386.7 m²) of space. Each 39 story tower has a base five-story podium structure with 165000 square feet (15,329 m²) for retail space for a total of 660000 square feet (61,316 m²). A portion of the central atrium
area houses GM World, a show case for GM vehicles. Two 21-story towers (500-600), designed by Portman and constructed in 1981, reach 339 feet (103 m). GM gained control of Towers 500 and 600 in 2001. Tower 500 has 307300 square feet (28,549.1 m²) of office space and an additional 14485 square feet (1,345.7 m²) of retail space. Tower 600 has 304200 square feet (28,261.1 m²) of office space and an additional 35730 square feet (3,319.4 m²) of retail space.
Towers 100 and 200 are along Jefferson Avenue. Towers 300 and 400 are along the main Wintergarden/Atwater Street entrance facing the Riverfront. Tower 200 contains the Riverfront 4, a four-screen, first-run movie theatre, on the third floor of the tower. The Renaissance Club, a private club founded by Henry Ford II
in 1987, is located on the 36th floor of the tower. The GM Renaissance Conference Center is located on the second floor of tower 300.
In December 2001, the General Motors Wintergarden retail atrium was unveiled. Designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill, it rises 103 feet (31.39 m) tall at its highest point opening direct access to the International Riverfront
. In addition, the five-story Wintergarden atrium area, added in 2001, has 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) devoted to retail with 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) of contiguous main floor exhibit space which was used by the media during Super Bowl XL
.
who did the renovation of the office towers. The majority of the construction operations were led by Turner Construction Company. The structural glass and steel for the Wintergarden, the entrance lobby as well as the mezzanine glass walkway were contributed by Mero. The cost of the renovation does not include the cost for reconfiguring the streets around the Renaissance Center or the cost of the park along the International Riverfront.
The $500 million renovation of the Renaissance Center completed in 2003 has helped improve Detroit's economy. Together, GM's renovation of the Renaissance Center and the Detroit Riverwalk exceeded $1 billion; the project constituted a substantial investment in downtown. More than 10,000 people (of which 6,000 are GM employees) work in the complex. Nearly 2,000 state workers now occupy GM's former office building, the restored Cadillac Place
, in the historic New Center
district.
The Wintergarden added to the Renaissance Center faces the Riverfront and provides panoramic views of the Windsor skyline. The complex connects offices, the hotel, retail specialty shops, restaurants, a jazz club, and a movie theatre. A pedestrian-friendly glass entryway has replaced the former concrete berms along Jefferson Avenue. The redevelopment provides the GM World display of vehicles, a restored hotel, a renovated rooftop restaurant, and the addition of GM's corporate logo to crown the top of the building. Construction of the lighted glass walkway facilitates ease of navigation encircling the interior mezzanine. Hines
completed redevelopment of Towers 500 and 600 for GM in 2004.
The Riverfront Promenade was dedicated on December 17, 2004, and helped to usher in a return to recreational uses along Detroit's International Riverfront
. GM played a key role in the transformation of the east riverfront with a donation of $135 million to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy for the development of a world class riverfront promenade planned at $559 million, which included $50 million from the Kresge foundation. With the addition of several prominent restaurants and retailers to the complex – such as JoS. A. Bank Clothiers
, Seldom Blues, and a first-run movie theatre – the RenCen has started to redefine Detroit once again for a new generation. In 2011, the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority opened its new state of the art cruise ship dock and passenger terminal on Hart Plaza, adjacent to the Renaissance Center. Port authority bonds financed another 1,500 space parking garage adjacent to the Renaissance Center. Further upriver, the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel faces the east riverfront. In addition to the gradual continuation of the riverfront promenade, other planned projects complementing the Renaissance Center continue along the International Riverfont which include development of luxury condominiums, a cruise ship passenger terminal, retail, and entertainment venues.
In 2011, the Renaissance Center added colored LED lighting on the top of its towers (Towers 500 and 600 utilize traditional blue floodlights to illuminate their top floors). General Motors added a large illuminated LED corporate logo which also displays GM divisions. The animated logo and illuminated LED color bands around the towers can be used to support special events and may be seen from Comerica Park
, home of the Detroit Tigers
. The renovation of Cobo Center convention and exhibit facility incorporates similar blue neon lighting along riverfront promenade.
Level A Food Court
Tower 100
Tower 200
Tower 300
Tower 400
Tower 500
Tower 600
Marriott International
GM Wintergarden
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a residential area of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Downtown is bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 to the east, and the Detroit River to the south.Downtown contains much historic...
Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located on the International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
, the Renaissance Center complex is owned by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
as its world headquarters. The central tower, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, is the
tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
, and features the largest rooftop restaurant, Coach Insignia. It has been the tallest building in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
since its erection in 1977.
John Portman
John Portman
John C. Portman, Jr. is an American architect and real estate developer widely known for popularizing hotels and office buildings with multi-storied interior atriums....
was the principal architect for the original design. The first phase constructed a five tower rosette
Rosette (design)
A rosette is a round, stylized flower design, used extensively in sculptural objects from antiquity. Appearing in Mesopotamia and used to decorate the funeral stele in Ancient Greece...
rising from a common base. Four 39-story office towers surround the 73-story hotel rising from a square-shaped podium which includes a shopping center, restaurants, brokerage firms, banks, a four-screen movie theatre, private clubs. The first phase officially opened in March 1977. Portman's design renewed attention to city architecture, constructing the world's tallest hotel at the time. Two additional 21-story office towers (known as Tower 500 and Tower 600) opened in 1981. This type of complex has been termed a city within a city.
In 2004, General Motors completed a US$500 million renovation of the class-A center as its world headquarters, which it had purchased in 1996. The renovation included the addition of the five-story Wintergarden atrium, which provides access to the International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
. Architects for the renovation included Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, SmithGroup
Smith Hinchman & Grylls
SmithGroup ranks as the United States' 7th largest architecture and engineering firm and employs 800. The firm is composed of client industry-focused practices serving Health, Learning, Science & Technology, and Workplace markets...
, and Ghafari Associates. Work continued in and around the complex until 2005. Renaissance Center totals 5552000 square feet (515,797.7 m²) making it one of the world's largest office complexes.
History
Conceived by Henry Ford IIHenry Ford II
Henry Ford II , commonly known as "HF2" and "Hank the Deuce", was the son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford...
and financed primarily by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, the Renaissance Center became the world's largest private development with an anticipated 1971 cost of $500 million. The project was intended to revitalize the economy of Detroit. In its first year of operation it generated over $1 billion in economic growth for the downtown.
In 1970, Ford Motor Company Chairman Henry Ford II teamed up with other business leaders to form Detroit Renaissance, a private non-profit development organization, which he headed in order to stimulate building activity in the city. The group announced the first phase of construction in 1971. In addition, Detroit Renaissance contributed to a variety of other projects within the downtown area in the ensuing decades. Henry Ford II sold the concept of the RenCen to the City and community leaders. Detroit Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Roman Gribbs
Roman Gribbs
Roman Stanley Gribbs was the Mayor of Detroit from 1970 to 1974. Later, Gribbs served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals.-Biography:...
touted the project as a complete rebuilding from bridge to bridge, referring to the area between the Ambassador Bridge
Ambassador Bridge
The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan, in the United States, with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume: more than 25 percent of all merchandise trade between the United States...
that connects Detroit to Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
and the MacArthur Bridge, which connects the city with Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle is a island park in the Detroit River, between the United States mainland and Canada, managed by the Detroit Recreation Department. It is connected to the rest of Detroit, Michigan by the MacArthur Bridge...
.
The city within a city arose. The first tower of the Renaissance Center opened on July 1, 1976. Principal architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
John Portman
John Portman
John C. Portman, Jr. is an American architect and real estate developer widely known for popularizing hotels and office buildings with multi-storied interior atriums....
was also the architect for the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and the Peachtree Center
Peachtree Center
Peachtree Center is a multi-block neighborhood located in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Most of the buildings that make up the district were designed by Atlanta architect John C. Portman, Jr.. Many of the buildings are connected by a network of enclosed pedestrian sky bridges...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
; the Embarcadero Center
Embarcadero Center
Embarcadero Center is a commercial complex of five office towers and two hotels on a site located off the Embarcadero in the financial district of San Francisco, California. The Trammell Crow, David Rockefeller and John Portman development was begun with Tower One in 1971, with the last...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
; and the Bonaventure Hotel
Bonaventure Hotel
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites is a , 35-story hotel in Los Angeles, California, constructed between 1974 and 1976. Designed by architect John C. Portman, Jr., it is the largest hotel in the city. The top floor has a revolving restaurant and bar...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. For phase I, the facade of the first five towers was covered with 2000000 square feet (185,806.1 m²) of glass, and used about 400000 cubic yards (305,821.9 m³) of concrete. This did not include the additional glass used for the atriums.
Phase I of the Renaissance Center cost $337 million to construct, employing 7,000 workers. In 1977, the central hotel tower of the Renaissance Center, which opened as the Western International Detroit Plaza Hotel, became the world's tallest all-hotel skyscraper, surpassing its architectural twin, the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta (Western International Hotels became Westin in 1980). In 1986, what is today known as the Swissôtel The Stamford
Swissôtel The Stamford
Swissôtel The Stamford , is a luxury hotel in Singapore managed by Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, Swissôtel The Stamford, at a height of is one of Southeast Asia’s tallest hotels...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
surpassed it. Since 1986, the Renaissance Center's central tower has held the distinction as the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
.
On April 15, 1977, Henry Ford II and Detroit mayor Coleman Young
Coleman Young
Coleman Alexander Young served as mayor of Detroit in the U.S. state of Michigan from 1974 to 1993. Young became the first African-American mayor of Detroit in the same week that Maynard Jackson became the first African-American mayor of Atlanta.-Pre-Mayoral career:Young was born in Tuscaloosa,...
unveiled a plaque commemorating the private investors whose funds made the project possible and, later that evening, 650 business and society leaders attended a benefit celebrating the Renaissance Center's formal dedication. The money raised from the $300-per-couple tickets went to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Detroit, Michigan. Its main performance center is Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood...
. When it opened, the cylindrical central tower was originally the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the Westin Hotels
Westin Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts are an upscale hotel chain owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. As of 2011, Westin operated over 160 hotels in 37 countries.-History:...
. The top three floors of the hotel hosted an upscale restaurant, The Summit, that rotated to allow a 360 degree
Degree (angle)
A degree , usually denoted by ° , is a measurement of plane angle, representing 1⁄360 of a full rotation; one degree is equivalent to π/180 radians...
view. The shopping center in the podium originally housed boutiques, but now contains a greater complement of restaurants in the retail mix.
In 1980, Detroit hosted the Republican National Convention
1980 Republican National Convention
The 1980 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States convened at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, from July 14 to July 17, 1980. The 32nd Republican National Convention nominated former Governor Ronald W. Reagan of California for President of the United States and former...
and presidential nominee Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and former President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
both stayed at the Renaissance Center while in attendance.
Metro Detroit expanded upon the city within a city concept with the nearby 2200000 square feet (204,386.7 m²) Southfield Town Center office complex with its five inter-connected golden skyscrapers constructed from 1975 to 1989. In the ensuing years, the Renaissance Center would face competition from the growing suburban office market.
In 1987, the elevated Detroit People Mover
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover is a automated people mover system which operates on a single set of tracks, and encircles downtown Detroit, Michigan....
transit line, after many years of construction, began operation with a stop at the Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center (Detroit People Mover)
Renaissance Center is a Detroit People Mover station in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is located in the Renaissance Center complex in Tower 200 at Level 2 alongside Jefferson Avenue...
. At first, the Ford Motor Company had occupied many offices in the building. In 1996, General Motors purchased the complex and moved its world headquarters to the Renaissance Center downtown from what is now the historic Cadillac Place
Cadillac Place
Cadillac Place is an ornate high-rise class-A office complex in the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan constructed of steel, limestone, granite, and marble between 1919 and 1923 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The building houses several agencies of the State of Michigan...
state office complex in the New Center
New Center, Detroit
The New Center is a significant commercial and residential historic district located in Detroit, Michigan, adjacent to Midtown, one mile north of the Cultural Center, and approximately three miles north of Downtown...
district, northwest of downtown.
Architects' initial design for the Renaissance Center focused on creating secure interior spaces, while its design later expanded and improved to connect with the exterior spaces and waterfront through a reconfigured interior, open glass entryways, and a Wintergarden.
By 2004, GM completed an extensive $500 million renovation of the Renaissance Center. This included a $100 million makeover for the hotel. Among GM's first actions was to remove the concrete berms facing Jefferson Avenue. The renovation includes a lighted glass walkway which encircles the interior mezzanine for ease of navigation, while the addition of the Wintergarden provides riverfront access and a view of Canada. A covered skyway
Skyway
In an urban setting, a skyway, catwalk, sky bridge, or skywalk is a type of pedway consisting of an enclosed or covered bridge between two buildings. This protects pedestrians from the weather. These skyways are usually owned by businesses, and are therefore not public spaces...
over Jefferson Avenue connects to the Millender Center, Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown Detroit
Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown Detroit
The Courtyard by Marriott is a mid-upscale high-rise Hotel in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It stands next to the similarly-appearing Millender Center Apartments, and is connected to the apartments, the Renaissance Center, Millender Center Detroit People Mover station and the Coleman A. Young...
, and Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is a class-A office building in downtown Detroit, near Hart Plaza, One Detroit Center and the Renaissance Center. Originally called the City-County Building, it was renamed for former Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young, shortly after his death in 1997...
.
The Renaissance Center is owned by General Motors. The hotel in the central tower is now managed by the Marriott
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
hotel chain and is called the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The 1,298 room hotel is one of the largest operated by Marriott. The rooftop restaurant (which no longer rotates) received a $10 million renovation and is operated by the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group's Coach Insignia. It serves Coach wines, a product of the Fisher family whose legacy includes Fisher Body
Fisher Body
Fisher Body is an automobile coachbuilder founded by the Fisher brothers in 1908 in Detroit, Michigan; it is now an operating division of General Motors Company...
, a name which is part of GM history.
The Renaissance Center's renovation provides for the prospect of continued development and restorations throughout the city. Architectural critics have touted the city's architecture as among America's finest.
In July 2010, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is one of the largest independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Currently it is headquartered in 600 E. Lafayette Blvd. Detroit in downtown Detroit...
announced plans to lease 435245 square feet (40,435.6 m²) of Tower 500 and Tower 600 and relocate 3,000 of its employees from its building in Southfield, Michigan.
Location
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
balances the city's panoramic waterfront skyline
Skyline
A skyline is the overall or partial view of a city's tall buildings and structures consisting of many skyscrapers in front of the sky in the background. It can also be described as the artificial horizon that a city's overall structure creates. Skylines serve as a kind of fingerprint of a city, as...
, a frequent feature in photography taken from the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. From the top of the Renaissance Center's Coach Insignia restaurant, patrons peer down upon the neogothic spires of One Detroit Center and city's Financial District
Detroit Financial District
The Detroit Financial District is a historic district in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The district was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 14, 2009, and was announced as the featured listing in the National Park Service's weekly list of December 24, 2009.It includes...
skyscrapers and stadiums. The view from the top extends for 30 miles (48.3 km) in all directions. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is the law school of the University of Detroit Mercy and is located in Downtown Detroit, Michigan across from the Renaissance Center. Founded in 1912, UDM Law is a private Roman-Catholic law school and has been ABA-accredited since 1933...
is located just across Jefferson Avenue. A pedestrian walkway over Jefferson Avenue connects the complex to the Millender Center and leads beyond to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is a class-A office building in downtown Detroit, near Hart Plaza, One Detroit Center and the Renaissance Center. Originally called the City-County Building, it was renamed for former Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young, shortly after his death in 1997...
. Hart Plaza, Cobo Center (home to the North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
) and Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
, home of the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, are several blocks to the west. Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
and Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
, venues for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, respectively, are approximately one-mile north. The US portal of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel emerges adjacent to the western boundary of the Renaissance Center. Renaissance Center is a station on the Detroit People Mover
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover is a automated people mover system which operates on a single set of tracks, and encircles downtown Detroit, Michigan....
.
In popular culture
Collision Course (film)
Collision Course is a 1989 action-comedy film starring Jay Leno as a Detroit police officer and Pat Morita as a Japanese cop forced to work together to recover a Japanese turbocharger stolen by villainous Chris Sarandon. It was directed by Lewis Teague and unreleased in the U.S. until 1992, when it...
starring Jay Leno and Pat Morita, the Renaissance Center was featured when Morita's character and Leno meet for the first time in which Morita is considered a suspect and chased through the beautiful hotel.
In the 1990 film adaptation of Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent, published in 1987, is Scott Turow's first novel, which tells the story of a prosecutor charged with the murder of his colleague, an attractive and intelligent prosecutor, Carolyn Polhemus. It is told in the first person by the accused, Rǒzat "Rusty" Sabich...
, there is a skyline view of Detroit very early in the film which clearly shows the Renaissance Center, filmed from across the river in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
.
In the 1998 Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh
Steven Andrew Soderbergh is an American film producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and an Academy Award-winning film director. He is best known for directing commercial Hollywood films like Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and the remake of Ocean's Eleven, but he has also directed smaller less...
film adaptation of Out of Sight
Out of Sight
Out of Sight is a 1998 American crime film. The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh and based on the novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard. It was the first of several collaborations between Soderbergh and star George Clooney. The film was released on June 26, 1998. It was nominated for two...
, the main characters meet in the revolving restaurant atop the Renaissance Center. The scene was filmed on location.
The 1999 film Detroit Rock City
Detroit Rock City (film)
Detroit Rock City is a 1999 film about four teenagers in a Kiss cover band who try to see their idols in Detroit in 1978. Comparable to Rock 'n' Roll High School, Dazed and Confused, The Stöned Age, and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Detroit Rock City tells a coming of age story through a filter of 1970s...
has views of the Renaissance Center, which would have been newly constructed during the film's 1978 setting.
In 2004, the Renaissance Center was featured in the Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
and Joan Allen
Joan Allen
Joan Allen is an American actress. She worked in theatre, television and film during her early career, and achieved recognition for her Broadway debut in Burn This, winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in 1989.She has received three Academy Award nominations;...
film The Upside of Anger
The Upside of Anger
The Upside of Anger is a 2005 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Binder and set in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan...
. Costner's character plays a DJ for WRIF
WRIF
WRIF — branded 101 WRIF: The RIFF — is a commercial active rock radio station licensed by the FCC to operate in Detroit, Michigan serving surrounding Metro Detroit. The station is currently owned by Greater Boston Radio, Inc. WRIF is a grandfathered Class B station with a signal equivalent to...
101 FM, a real Detroit FM rock station, whose studio (in the film) is housed in the Renaissance Center. The Renaissance Center is also featured in the films Grosse Pointe Blank
Grosse Pointe Blank
Grosse Pointe Blank is a 1997 American Black comedy film, directed by George Armitage, and starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver.In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted Grosse Pointe Blank the 21st greatest comedy film of all time. The film's soundtrack features mainly independent music hits...
and Action Jackson
Action Jackson
Action Jackson is a 1988 action film directed by Craig R. Baxley and starring Carl Weathers, Vanity, Craig T. Nelson and Sharon Stone. Paula Abdul was the choreographer...
.
For the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 76th playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 12, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan,...
, which was played at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
in Detroit, the center tower of the Renaissance Center was wrapped with an image of a large baseball smashing into the tower, with "4,612 FT" written below it to indicate the distance from home plate at Comerica Park (see photograph above). For Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
, held at Detroit's Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
on February 5, 2006, a large National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
logo was wrapped around the main tower just beneath the GM logo. The Renaissance Center also hosted the major media for Super Bowl XL. GM offered the Wintergarden a venue for the annual Fash Bash, a fashion event and fundraiser coordinated by the Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a renowned art museum in the city of Detroit. In 2003, the DIA ranked as the second largest municipally owned museum in the United States, with an art collection valued at more than one billion dollars...
.
Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
's 2008 music video for "Roll On
Roll On (Kid Rock song)
"Roll On" is the fourth single from Kid Rock's double-platinum album Rock n Roll Jesus. It was shipped to radio on September 23, 2008. The song failed to chart in the United States. In Germany it peaked at No. 59. The video of the song was very successful on the VH1 weekly Top 20 countdown, peaking...
" featured the Renaissance Center along with several other well-known structures in Detroit. The History Channel's Life After People: The Series "Roads to Nowhere" episode featured the Renaissance Center. Renaissance Center replicas have become souvenir items along with other Detroit skyscrapers.
In 2010, the center was featured on the cover of Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's seventh studio album Recovery.
The Renaissance Center, along with other Detroit landmarks, appears frequently in the 2010 television drama Detroit 1-8-7
Detroit 1-8-7
Detroit 1-8-7 is an American crime drama series about Detroit's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It features an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel...
.
Architecture
The centerpiece is the 73-story 727-foot (221.5 m) luxury hotel with 1,246 rooms and 52 suites (1298 total guest rooms). Its height is measured from its main Wintergarden entrance on Atwater Street which faces the International RiverfrontDetroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
where the complex measures 14 feet (4.27 m) taller. Entirely owned by General Motors, the complex has 5552000 square feet (515,797.7 m²) of space. The main Renaissance Center complex rises from a 14 acres (5.7 ha) site. The complex is designed in the Modern architectural
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
style with glass as a main material.
Famous for its cylindrical design, the central hotel tower's diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...
is 188 feet (57 m). A lighted glass walkway radiates the mezzanine
Mezzanine (architecture)
In architecture, a mezzanine or entresol is an intermediate floor between main floors of a building, and therefore typically not counted among the overall floors of a building. Often, a mezzanine is low-ceilinged and projects in the form of a balcony. The term is also used for the lowest balcony in...
level and encircles the base of cylindrical hotel tower for ease of navigation. This ringed glass walkway is about 12 feet (3.7 m) wide and has a circumference
Circumference
The circumference is the distance around a closed curve. Circumference is a special perimeter.-Circumference of a circle:The circumference of a circle is the length around it....
of approximately 660 feet (201.2 m) or about one-eighth of a mile around. The ringed walkway's diameter is approximately 210 feet (64 m). It links to several other walkways in the complex. The five-story Wintergarden atrium leads into the central area which has an eight-story atrium lobby with artificial ponds, rounded concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
balconies
Balcony
Balcony , a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade.-Types:The traditional Maltese balcony is a wooden closed balcony projecting from a...
, and terraces. Floors 71 through 73 include the Coach Insignia, an upscale restaurant with a lounge area/observation floor where the view extends for over 30 miles (48.3 km). The hotel has no floor labeled 7, 8, or 13. The hotel features a major conference center with 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) of meeting space including a Renaissance Ballroom for up to 2,200 guests with 26000 square feet (2,415.5 m²) for events, one of the largest in the United States.
John Portman
John Portman
John C. Portman, Jr. is an American architect and real estate developer widely known for popularizing hotels and office buildings with multi-storied interior atriums....
designed the five-building rosette
Rosette (design)
A rosette is a round, stylized flower design, used extensively in sculptural objects from antiquity. Appearing in Mesopotamia and used to decorate the funeral stele in Ancient Greece...
with interior spaces. In 1977, its central tower opened as the tallest hotel in the world. It remains the tallest all hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The smaller cylinders on sides of all the towers house the elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s. The four surrounding 39-story office towers (100-400) each reach 522 feet (159 m) and have a total of 2200000 square feet (204,386.7 m²) of space. Each 39 story tower has a base five-story podium structure with 165000 square feet (15,329 m²) for retail space for a total of 660000 square feet (61,316 m²). A portion of the central atrium
Atrium (architecture)
In modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
area houses GM World, a show case for GM vehicles. Two 21-story towers (500-600), designed by Portman and constructed in 1981, reach 339 feet (103 m). GM gained control of Towers 500 and 600 in 2001. Tower 500 has 307300 square feet (28,549.1 m²) of office space and an additional 14485 square feet (1,345.7 m²) of retail space. Tower 600 has 304200 square feet (28,261.1 m²) of office space and an additional 35730 square feet (3,319.4 m²) of retail space.
Towers 100 and 200 are along Jefferson Avenue. Towers 300 and 400 are along the main Wintergarden/Atwater Street entrance facing the Riverfront. Tower 200 contains the Riverfront 4, a four-screen, first-run movie theatre, on the third floor of the tower. The Renaissance Club, a private club founded by Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II , commonly known as "HF2" and "Hank the Deuce", was the son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford...
in 1987, is located on the 36th floor of the tower. The GM Renaissance Conference Center is located on the second floor of tower 300.
In December 2001, the General Motors Wintergarden retail atrium was unveiled. Designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill, it rises 103 feet (31.39 m) tall at its highest point opening direct access to the International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
. In addition, the five-story Wintergarden atrium area, added in 2001, has 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) devoted to retail with 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) of contiguous main floor exhibit space which was used by the media during Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
.
Redevelopment
The redevelopment project included the work of many different architects including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago, SmithGroup of Detroit, Gensler Detroit office, and Ghafari Associates of DearbornDearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
who did the renovation of the office towers. The majority of the construction operations were led by Turner Construction Company. The structural glass and steel for the Wintergarden, the entrance lobby as well as the mezzanine glass walkway were contributed by Mero. The cost of the renovation does not include the cost for reconfiguring the streets around the Renaissance Center or the cost of the park along the International Riverfront.
The $500 million renovation of the Renaissance Center completed in 2003 has helped improve Detroit's economy. Together, GM's renovation of the Renaissance Center and the Detroit Riverwalk exceeded $1 billion; the project constituted a substantial investment in downtown. More than 10,000 people (of which 6,000 are GM employees) work in the complex. Nearly 2,000 state workers now occupy GM's former office building, the restored Cadillac Place
Cadillac Place
Cadillac Place is an ornate high-rise class-A office complex in the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan constructed of steel, limestone, granite, and marble between 1919 and 1923 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The building houses several agencies of the State of Michigan...
, in the historic New Center
New Center, Detroit
The New Center is a significant commercial and residential historic district located in Detroit, Michigan, adjacent to Midtown, one mile north of the Cultural Center, and approximately three miles north of Downtown...
district.
Hines Interests Limited Partnership
Hines Interests Limited Partnership is privately held international commercial real estate concern with its headquarters located in the Williams Tower in Uptown Houston, Texas...
completed redevelopment of Towers 500 and 600 for GM in 2004.
The Riverfront Promenade was dedicated on December 17, 2004, and helped to usher in a return to recreational uses along Detroit's International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
. GM played a key role in the transformation of the east riverfront with a donation of $135 million to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy for the development of a world class riverfront promenade planned at $559 million, which included $50 million from the Kresge foundation. With the addition of several prominent restaurants and retailers to the complex – such as JoS. A. Bank Clothiers
JoS. A. Bank Clothiers
Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Inc., also known by the abbreviated name JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, is an American manufacturer-retailers of men's classically-styled tailored and casual clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories...
, Seldom Blues, and a first-run movie theatre – the RenCen has started to redefine Detroit once again for a new generation. In 2011, the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority opened its new state of the art cruise ship dock and passenger terminal on Hart Plaza, adjacent to the Renaissance Center. Port authority bonds financed another 1,500 space parking garage adjacent to the Renaissance Center. Further upriver, the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel faces the east riverfront. In addition to the gradual continuation of the riverfront promenade, other planned projects complementing the Renaissance Center continue along the International Riverfont which include development of luxury condominiums, a cruise ship passenger terminal, retail, and entertainment venues.
In 2011, the Renaissance Center added colored LED lighting on the top of its towers (Towers 500 and 600 utilize traditional blue floodlights to illuminate their top floors). General Motors added a large illuminated LED corporate logo which also displays GM divisions. The animated logo and illuminated LED color bands around the towers can be used to support special events and may be seen from Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
, home of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. The renovation of Cobo Center convention and exhibit facility incorporates similar blue neon lighting along riverfront promenade.
Technical details
| Building | Image | Year | Stories | Height feet / m |
Area sq feet / m² |
Principal tenant(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. (Central hotel tower) |
1977 2004 |
73 | 727 / 221.5 | 1,812,000 / 168,300 estimate |
Marriott hotel with the Coach Insignia restaurant located at the top. | |
| Southwest - Tower 100 |  |
1977 2004 |
39 | 522 / 159 | 550,000 / 51,100 | General Motors, HP Enterprise Services, United States Post Office. |
| Northwest - Tower 200 | 1977 2004 |
39 | 522 / 159 | 550,000 / 51,100 | Ally Financial Headquarters and Deloitte. | |
| Northeast - Tower 300 |  |
1977 2004 |
39 | 522 / 159 | 550,000 / 51,100 | General Motors. The Renaissance Conference Center on level 2 contains 20000 sq ft (1,858.1 m²). of meeting space. |
| Southeast - Tower 400 | 1977 2004 |
39 | 522 / 159 | 550,000 / 51,100 | General Motors, OnStar OnStar OnStar Corporation is a subsidiary of General Motors that provides subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, hands free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, and remote diagnostics systems throughout the United States, Canada and China. A similar service is known as ChevyStar in Latin... , Consulate-General of Japan. |
|
| Podium structures beneath Towers 100-400 |
 |
1977 2004 |
5 | 103 / 31.39 | 660,000 / 61,300 | GM World, exhibit space & retail Riverfront 4 movie theatres. |
| Tower 500 |  |
1981 2004 |
21 | 339 / 103 | 320,000 / 29,700 | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield Association The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of... . Includes 14845 sq ft (1,379.1 m²) of retail space. |
| Tower 600 | 1981 2004 |
21 | 339 / 103 | 340,000 / 31,600 | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield Association The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of... and Consulate-General of Canada Diplomatic missions of Canada This is a list of diplomatic missions of Canada. Canada has an extensive diplomatic network, maintained by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. As a Commonwealth nation, Canada's diplomatic missions in the capitals of other commonwealth nations are referred to as High Commissions... . Includes 35730 sq ft (3,319.4 m²) of retail space. |
|
| Wintergarden & shops |  |
2001 | 5 | 103 / 31.39 | 150,000 / 14,000 | Retail stores and restaurants. |
| Wintergarden atrium | 2001 | 5 | 103 / 31.39 | 40,000 / 3,700 | Main entry and exhibit space. | |
| Mezzanine |  |
1977 2004 |
NA | NA | 30,000 / 2,800 | GM University. |
| Renaissance Center total |  |
1977 2004 |
NA | 727 / 221.5 | 5,552,000 / 515,800 | Owner of complex: General Motors. Property management firm: Hines. |
Notable Tenants
- Arby'sArby'sArby's is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada. Roark Capital Group owns 81.5% of the company, with Wendy's Company owning the other 18.5%. It is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The Arby's menu also includes chicken sandwiches, appetizers,...
Unit #7226 - Burger KingBurger KingBurger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
#13332 (A-1042, opened August 1984) - McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
- SubwaySubway (restaurant)Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
(A203, Tower 200)
Tower 100
- Bank of AmericaBank of AmericaBank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
- ChaseChase (bank)JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., doing business as Chase, is a national bank that constitutes the consumer and commercial banking subsidiary of financial services firm JPMorgan Chase. The bank was known as Chase Manhattan Bank until it merged with J.P. Morgan & Co. in 2000...
- Comerica Bank
- Jos. A. Bank ClothiersJoS. A. Bank ClothiersJoseph A. Bank Clothiers, Inc., also known by the abbreviated name JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, is an American manufacturer-retailers of men's classically-styled tailored and casual clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories...
- Au Bon Pain
- United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal ServiceThe United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
Renaissance Center Post Office - HP Enterprise Services administrative office (5th-7th floors)
Tower 200
- Gateway Newsstands
- CVS/pharmacy
- Riverfront 4 Theatres
- Coach Insignia restaurant - elevator to top floor of central tower accessed on level 3
- Deloitte
Tower 300
- Cherilynn's Gold Crown HallmarkHallmark CardsHallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. In 1985, the company was awarded the National Medal of Arts....
- GMAC InsuranceGMAC InsuranceFounded in 1939 as Motors Insurance Corporation, the GMAC Insurance Group is a property and casualty insurance company in the United States and is subsidiary of Ally Financial...
- GM University - Level 2
- Renaissance Conference Center
- Coach Insignia - elevator to central tower accessed on level 3
Tower 400
- Seldom Blues Jazz & Supper Club
- Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit
- Dykema Gossett World Headquarters
- Pure Detroit tourist gift store/The GM Collection Store
Tower 500
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganBlue Cross Blue Shield AssociationThe Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
Tower 600
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganBlue Cross Blue Shield AssociationThe Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
- Consulate-General of Canada in DetroitDiplomatic missions of CanadaThis is a list of diplomatic missions of Canada. Canada has an extensive diplomatic network, maintained by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. As a Commonwealth nation, Canada's diplomatic missions in the capitals of other commonwealth nations are referred to as High Commissions...
is located in Suite 1100.
Marriott International
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
GM Wintergarden
- Andiamo Detroit Riverfront
See also
- Architecture of metropolitan DetroitArchitecture of metropolitan DetroitThe architecture of metropolitan Detroit, Michigan continues to attract the attention of architects and preservationists alike. With one of the world's recognizable skylines, Detroit's waterfront panorama shows a variety of architectural styles. The city's historic Art Deco skyscrapers blend with...
- List of tallest buildings in Detroit
- List of tallest buildings in Michigan
- List of tallest buildings by U.S. state
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of largest buildings in the world
Further reading
- Desiderio, Francis, “‘A Catalyst for Downtown’: Detroit’s Renaissance Center,” Michigan Historical Review, 35 (Spring 2009), 83–112