“I am excited about the prospect of Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock working alongside General Motors and the City of Detroit to reimagine our riverfront and the highest and best use of the iconic Renaissance Center,” said Dennis Archer J. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sixteen42 Ventures. “We have seen throughout the city historic properties repositioned or becoming side by side with new development. This is yet another amazing chapter in our continued evolution. I can’t wait to see where this goes!”
The Renaissance Center first opened its doors in 1976, amid a turbulent era for Detroit. It was more than just a building—it was a statement of renewal and hope, even as the city faced disinvestment and economic uncertainty. When General Motors acquired the property in 1996, it reignited a spark of possibility, breathing new life into downtown Detroit and kickstarting the development of the Riverwalk, a now world-renowned public space drawing over 3.5 million visitors annually. Detroiters see themselves there—families having picnics, kids running along the paths, and elders reminiscing about the city’s past while soaking in the river’s beauty. For many, it’s a refuge. The hope is that this redevelopment will build on that spirit rather than diminish it. But time has not stood still. While the RenCen remains a fixture of Detroit’s skyline, it is no longer enough to simply preserve it; the city’s changing needs demand that it be reimagined. Still, for those who rely on the riverfront as a free and beautiful getaway, there are lingering concerns.
The history of downtown development has taught us to be cautious. Too often, “revitalization” in Detroit has come at the expense of those who have called the city home for decades. Projects that promised to bring economic growth have sometimes prioritized new residents and tourists over the people who stayed through the hardest times. This new plan has the potential to correct that, but it will require intentionality and accountability to ensure it serves all Detroiters.
“This iconic landmark’s future is important to Detroit and Michigan,” said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock. “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.” The commitment is clear, but Detroiters know that promises of economic advancement don’t always trickle down to those who need it most.
General Motors, which has already invested over $1 billion in the Renaissance Center since its purchase, views this effort as essential to the city’s continued progress. Dave Massaron, GM’s Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship, highlighted the importance of collaboration in realizing this vision. “GM has the best possible partner with Bedrock in this effort to redevelop the Renaissance Center. 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.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan expressed optimism about the project, emphasizing the importance of action. “We’ve said since the very beginning of this process that we were going to make a realistic decision about preserving as much of the Renaissance Center as possible. Dan Gilbert’s vision gives us a path forward to preserve and reuse three of the towers and, at the same time, creates a beautiful expansion of public space on the Detroit riverfront. We will need a public-private partnership to get this done and avoid the decades of inaction that accompanied so many other Detroit landmarks.”
Detroit’s history is dotted with examples of what happens when these kinds of efforts are delayed or abandoned. Buildings like Hudson’s and the Packard Plant once symbolized the city’s industrial might but became symbols of neglect after years of disuse. This project aims to avoid that fate, leveraging public-private collaboration to move forward quickly and decisively.
City Council President Mary Sheffield placed the project in a broader context, emphasizing its potential to fuel economic and social growth. “It’s been said that ‘Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.’ The proposed plans for the Renaissance Center and the nearby riverfront represent a rare and clear path for growth—growth of our economy, growth of our workforce, and growth of our existence as a world-class City. To have the ability to transform these iconic spaces, vastly through private investment, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bringing a waterfront entertainment district to the area around the Renaissance Center and repurposing a near-obsolete property into a global destination, which will include affordable housing, will be a transformation most cities could only dream of.”
The stakes for this project are high. Bedrock and GM have committed to funding the majority of the redevelopment, but public financing will be critical to fully realize the vision. Over the coming weeks, local and state leaders will weigh public support and evaluate funding options to determine how to move forward. The success of this effort will depend on Detroit’s ability to align private ambition with public needs to avoid the inaction that has left other Detroit landmarks in limbo for decades.
“The RenCen, like Ford Field, has become an iconic symbol of the growth and prosperity of downtown Detroit. This new vision accelerates the next chapter of the city’s growth by providing much needed hotel and hospitality venues to the already thriving riverfront,” said the Detroit Lions in a statement. “We are excited about the possibility of Lions fans from around the world enjoying this new vision as a part of their Lions and Ford Field experience.”
“Like the Lions, the City of Detroit has been on a winning streak that has made us ‘America’s City’ – a city that Americans, not only Detroiters, are proud of,” said Sandy Baruah, CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Detroit is Michigan’s signature city and the iconic Renaissance Center has made an impression on our skyline. But the skyline is not the primary issue at hand, it’s how we move forward. We can leverage our assets, such as the Detroit RiverWalk and Dan Gilbert’s personal investment, and plan for our continued growth – or retreat with negative consequences for Detroit and Michigan. For the Detroit Regional Chamber, there is no choice. We call upon Lansing to help realize the extraordinary partnership and philanthropic investment that is on the table.”
For Detroiters, the Renaissance Center is more than a building. It is a piece of the city’s identity, a reminder of its challenges and its potential. As this redevelopment plan takes shape, it offers a moment to reflect on what Detroit has been and what it can become. By focusing on connectivity, accessibility, and inclusivity, this project could redefine not just the skyline, but the city’s relationship with its riverfront and its future.
This plan is a call to action. It is about preserving history while building a new foundation for growth. It is about ensuring that Detroit remains a city where landmarks don’t just survive—they thrive as symbols of possibility and progress. Bedrock and GM have presented a vision. Now, it’s time for the community, the city, and the state to come together and decide what happens next. Detroit’s story is still being written, and the Renaissance Center is poised to play a central role in its next chapter.
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