What we know (and don’t know) about GM’s move from RenCen to new Hudson’s tower

General Motors to move Detroit headquarters

The Renaissance Center in Detroit. (Paul Sancya, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

DETROIT – General Motors is reportedly planning to move its Detroit headquarters from the Renaissance Center to the new Hudson’s tower.

The move was first reported by the Associated Press, which cited a “person briefed on the plans” who asked to remain anonymous.

Here’s what we know from the report.

Where is GM moving?

According to the report, General Motors will leave the RenCen, which is a fixture of the Detroit skyline right along the Detroit River.

The headquarters will move to the Hudson’s tower on Woodward Avenue.

Is the Hudson’s tower completed?

No, the project hasn’t been completed yet, but the final steel construction beam was installed last week.

The tower stands 681 feet, making it the second-tallest in Detroit, behind only the RenCen.

The Hudson’s building is expected to have about 1.5 million square feet available for retail, office space, dining, and more. Construction began in 2017.

It was originally supposed to become the tallest building in Detroit, at 912 feet, but the plan was scaled back in 2020.

Construction is expected to continue through the spring.

Who owns the Hudson’s tower?

Billionaire Dan Gilbert, the chairman of Rocket Companies, developed the new Hudson’s tower.

Gilbert has acquired and developed 45 major office, retail and hospitality properties in Detroit, according to Crain’s.

When is this move happening?

We don’t know exactly when GM will move. A timeline is not included in the AP’s report.

But since construction of the Hudson’s tower has not been completed, the move likely can’t happen until much later this year, at the earliest.

Is General Motors selling the RenCen?

No. The report specifically says that GM’s plan “does not involve a sale” of the RenCen.

What will happen to the vacated space in the RenCen?

We don’t know. The AP source only said that General Motors doesn’t plan to sell the building.

It also says GM will work with Bedrock to determine how to redevelop the seven-building complex. General Motors took up about one and a half of the towers.

When will we know more?

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, and Gilbert plan to hold a new conference at 4:30 p.m. Monday, according to the AP.


About the Author

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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