Renaissance Center Facing Demolition: The Impact Of WFH Michigan

Michigan's office culture is fighting a losing battle, and it's not without casualties. With General Motors (GM) announcing in April 2024 that they're vacating Michigan's Renaissance Center, the iconic centerpiece of the Detroit skyline could be facing 'partial demolition,' according to ClickOnDetroit.

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Maybe it was the pandemic, maybe it's a generational thing, or maybe people have been fantasizing about wearing dress clothes on their torso and PJs for pants for a long time. These are the proud 'Work From Home' (WFH) Michiganders who sport professional up-top and party-on-the-bottom attire (Business Mullet) and specialize in getting things done while making a pot roast and walking the dog. However, nothing is without consequences, and for office spaces in Michigan and around the country, it's either repurposed or readied for the dynamite.

Who Will Save Detroit's Renaissance Center?

When it was announced that GM would be vacating the Renaissance Center for the nearly completed Hudson's Detroit building (the site of the former Hudson's Department Store on Woodward), many wondered what the fate of Michigan's tallest building would be. Finding tenants for brick-and-mortar locations is difficult in the age of online shopping and work-from-home, so it isn't as simple as putting out an ad and leasing the space.

Here's where it gets interesting. Bedrock Detroit, the company that wooed General Motors away from the Renaissance Center, also has the option to purchase the iconic buildings that define Detroit's silhouette. But who owns Bedrock Detroit? That would be Dan Gilbert, the wealthiest person in Michigan and maybe the only one who can save the Ren Cen from the wrecking ball.

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While not a lock by any stretch, knowing that Gilbert has the option to buy is somewhat of a relief. Realistically, the towers would have to be converted from office to residential or hospitality, but this won't be cheap. The entire glass facade would need to be replaced, and the costs would be ridiculous.

Demolition a Viable Option for Detroit's Renaissance Center

Demolition would also be expensive, but with valuable real estate beneath the towers, OutlierMedia predicts that a large chunk of Ren Cen's footprint will be demolished, making way for new developments. While this may seem like dire news, it could end up being the shot in the arm Detroit's riverfront needs.

My advice is to make it a point to explore the Renaissance Center at least one more time, or for the first time, and take in as much of the 727 feet as you can while you can.

If there's one thing I've learned about American architectural tastes, it's why move into an old building when you can pay double the price to tear it down and build a new one.