Detroit’s Renaissance Center: Local Gems and a New Chapter

Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center (RenCen) is facing a turning point. General Motors has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from the RenCen to the new Hudson’s Site development in 2025, leaving much of the complex empty. Once GM departs, the seven-tower complex – long a fixture of the city skyline – will be largely vacant. This moment, while bittersweet, opens the door for exciting changes. What does life after GM look like around the RenCen? In many ways, the area’s vibrancy is poised to continue, fueled by beloved local businesses, new attractions, and ambitious redevelopment plans that have Detroiters cautiously optimistic about the future.

GM Ren Cen, Facebook

GM’s Departure and the RenCen’s Next Act

GM’s exit from the RenCen marks the end of an era. The automaker, which had made the RenCen its global headquarters since the 1990s, is moving about a mile north to become the anchor tenant of Dan Gilbert’s glittering Hudson’s Site project. Mary Barra, GM’s CEO, noted that the move is about finding a “modern office building that fits the evolving needs of our workforce, right in the heart of downtown”. The Hudson’s site tower will offer GM contemporary office space and even a street-level showcase for its vehicles in the heart of Woodward Avenue’s bustling corridor.

Meanwhile, GM isn’t abandoning the RenCen altogether – far from it. The company has teamed up with Gilbert’s Bedrock real estate firm, along with city and county officials, to reimagine the RenCen for the future. Over the next year, this public-private partnership is exploring redevelopment ideas for the massive riverfront complex. The RenCen’s design has long been criticized for feeling like a “concrete labyrinth” isolated from its surroundings. Now there’s talk of a radical makeover to open it up and integrate it with downtown. Early concepts floated include transforming the RenCen into a mixed-use hub with housing, hotels, parks, and entertainment. In fact, a bold $1.6 billion plan backed by GM and Bedrock would remove the fortress-like walls and even demolish two of the smaller riverfront towers, creating space for public amenities. The central 73-story tower (home of the Marriott hotel) would be preserved and modernized, potentially adding luxury apartments up top, while one office tower would convert entirely to residential use. The vision also calls for a new waterfront park and an entertainment district – think a family-friendly destination akin to Chicago’s Navy Pier – right on the RenCen site. Removing the infamous concrete podium (“a ‘Berlin wall’-like structure” as one executive put it) is key to connecting downtown with the riverfront for the first time in 50 years. Planners even compare the proposed public space to Millennium Park in Chicago, signaling an emphasis on vibrant gathering places.

Of course, these plans hinge on significant investment and support. The developers are seeking around $350 million in public funding ($250 million from the state and $100 million from the city) to make it happen. That request has sparked debate – some officials balk at using taxpayer money, while others argue this is a once-in-a-generation chance to fix the RenCen’s flaws and boost downtown. What’s certain is that the RenCen’s future is a hot topic. If the grand plan moves forward, it could redefine Detroit’s riverfront. If not, GM has hinted it might even consider demolishing the entire complex and starting fresh – a dramatic outcome that shows how pivotal this decision will be. For now, Detroiters await final plans, hopeful that whatever comes next will better weave this prime real estate into the fabric of the city.

Beloved Eateries and Hangouts Around the RenCen

One thing that isn’t leaving the RenCen area is Detroit’s thriving food and entertainment scene. Downtown Detroit has experienced a culinary renaissance over the past decade, and the RenCen sits within walking distance of many favorite restaurants and hangouts that Metro Detroiters swear by. Visitors and locals exploring the riverfront will still find plenty of flavor and fun nearby. Here are some local gems to check out:

Joe Muer Seafood (RenCen) – An iconic Detroit seafood restaurant with roots dating back to the 1920s, now perched inside the RenCen. Joe Muer’s riverfront location offers panoramic views of the Detroit River and Windsor while diners enjoy classic fresh catch dishes. It’s a popular spot for a celebratory dinner with a side of skyline views.
Andiamo Detroit Riverfront (RenCen) – Located in the RenCen as well, Andiamo is a well-loved local Italian eatery. Its menu of pasta, steaks, and Italian classics and its patio overlooking the river make it a prime stop for dinner before a show or a romantic night out. Detroiters know the Andiamo name from its suburban locations, and the downtown outpost brings that familiar quality to a stunning location.
Highlands – At the very top of the RenCen’s central tower sits Highlands, a fine-dining restaurant 73 stories up (the highest point in the city). This destination reopened in recent years to offer steakhouse fare and cocktails with an unbeatable 360° view of Detroit and beyond. For special occasions, Highlands makes the experience literally lofty – it’s like dining in the clouds above the Motor City.
Sweetwater Tavern – Just a few blocks from the RenCen in Bricktown is Sweetwater Tavern, a laid-back bar and grill housed in one of Detroit’s oldest buildings. It’s famous for its chicken wings – marinated for 24 hours in a secret sauce – which have been ranked among the best wings in America. This no-frills spot has been a local institution since the 1980s, and it’s perfect for a casual lunch or to catch a game over a pitcher of beer and a basket of wings. Detroiters will tell you Sweetwater’s wings are a must-try.
Greektown favorites – A short walk from the RenCen is Detroit’s historic Greektown district, a lively enclave known for dining and nightlife. Long-time favorites include Pegasus Taverna, where flaming saganaki cheese and Greek classics have drawn crowds for decades, and Pizza Papalis, serving Chicago-style deep-dish pizza – a local staple for family dinners. Don’t forget to grab dessert at Astoria Pastry Shop, an iconic bakery loaded with Greek and European sweets. Greektown is also home to the Greektown Casino-Hotel, adding some 24/7 excitement. Together, these spots make Greektown a go-to for an evening out that feels authentically Detroit.
The Apparatus Room – Housed in the restored Detroit Foundation Hotel (a former firehouse) near Cobo Center, this chic restaurant/bar is a bit west of the RenCen but worth the trip. It’s known for its stylish ambiance and inventive New American menu. The Apparatus Room exemplifies Detroit’s trend of reimagining historic spaces, and both locals and visitors rave about its craft cocktails and brunch. It’s a great example of how downtown Detroit’s dining scene blends history with modern flair.
Coney Island Hot Dog Stands – No Detroit food list is complete without a mention of our famous Coney dogs. A quick People Mover ride (or hearty walk) from the RenCen will take you to the legendary Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, the two side-by-side diners that have battled for coney supremacy for generations. Each serves up the classic Detroit coney: a natural-casing hot dog piled high with chili, onions, and mustard. Open late and utterly unpretentious, these joints are a quintessential Detroit experience – especially after a ballgame or a night out. Whether you’re Team Lafayette or Team American, you can’t go wrong with a couple of coneys to-go.

As these examples show, the RenCen’s neighborhood is rich with food culture, from upscale dining to hole-in-the-wall delights. Many of these establishments have a loyal local following and are part of the fabric of downtown. The presence of GM employees was certainly a boon for some nearby businesses (lunchtime at the RenCen’s food court used to be bustling), but the good news is that most of these restaurants and bars draw plenty of customers on their own – be it office workers from all around downtown, sports fans heading to a game, or suburbanites and tourists spending a day in the city. Even as the RenCen itself transitions, these beloved eateries and hangouts ensure the surrounding blocks remain lively and inviting.

Detroitisit, Facebook

Family-Friendly Attractions and Entertainment Near the RenCen

The area around the Renaissance Center isn’t just about offices and restaurants – it’s also one of the most vibrant parts of the city for recreation, culture, and family fun. In fact, the Renaissance Center sits right alongside the Detroit International Riverwalk, which has become a crown jewel of the city’s revitalization. The Detroit Riverwalk was voted the best riverwalk in America three years in a row by USA Today’s readers (2019–2021), beating out famous waterfronts from cities like San Antonio and Cincinnati. Strolling the Riverwalk, it’s easy to see why. It offers 3½ miles of scenic pathways along the Detroit River with gardens, public art, and playgrounds, connecting numerous parks and attractions – and it’s completely free and open to all.

The Detroit Riverwalk at dusk, with the Cullen Plaza carousel and the RenCen in the background. This award-winning waterfront promenade has something for everyone, making it a focal point for downtown life. Families love visiting Cullen Plaza, just a short walk east of the RenCen, which features a whimsical carousel (adorned with Detroit-themed animals) and a reflective fountain – great for kids to splash in on hot days. The plaza is also home to the Riverwalk Café in summer and is a launch point for river tours. Farther east along the Riverwalk is Robert C. Valade Park, a newer addition that has a sandy “beach” area, play scapes for kids, and seasonal outdoor bars and food sheds. In winter, Valade Park hosts events like fire pits and s’mores and even an ice ribbon for skating during the cold months. It’s a prime example of how the riverfront is being utilized year-round.

Just next to the RenCen on the west side is Hart Plaza, the city’s famous civic plaza right at the river’s edge. Hart Plaza has been the site of countless Detroit festivals and concerts over the years – from the electronic music festival Movement on Memorial Day weekend to the Detroit Jazz Festival every Labor Day (one of the largest free jazz fests in the world). The plaza’s giant Dodge Fountain (the stainless-steel fountain ring at its center) is an iconic sight – and it’s currently undergoing a $9 million restoration to bring back its full water-and-light shows. With renovations underway in 2024, Hart Plaza is set to shine again as a gathering place for events and performances, which is great news for the downtown arts & music scene.

Continuing along the riverfront, about a mile from the RenCen, you’ll find the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater (formerly Chene Park). This 6,000-seat open-air venue hosts summer concerts on the waterfront and draws thousands of music lovers for its weekly jazz, R&B, and soul shows. Big-name artists and local legends alike have graced “The Aretha’s” stage, and catching a show there on a warm evening – with the Detroit River and city skyline as a backdrop – is a magical experience. It’s one of downtown’s top entertainment venues and a major draw for visitors on the riverfront in its own right.

For more educational family fun, the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center is just up the Riverwalk in a converted warehouse, bringing a bit of Up North to the heart of the city. Kids (and adults) can experience simulated fishing, off-road biking, and even a giant indoor waterfall, all showcasing Michigan’s natural parks and resources. And if you venture a little further, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and Michigan Science Center in Midtown are a short drive away, offering world-class art and hands-on science exhibits, respectively. Even Belle Isle, Detroit’s island park, is only a 5–10 minute drive from the RenCen – there you can visit the Aquarium, Conservatory, nature center, and enjoy acres of parkland (Belle Isle has historically been a favorite for family picnics and weekend outings).

Back downtown, public spaces continue to energize the area. Campus Martius Park, located about half a mile from the RenCen, was recently named the best public square in America. In summer, Campus Martius famously has a beach – yes, a sandy beach in the middle of downtown – complete with lounge chairs and a tiki bar, where you can kick back and enjoy fountain views and live music. In winter, the park transforms with an ice-skating rink and Detroit’s official Christmas tree, making it a holiday season centerpiece. This kind of seasonal programming keeps downtown bustling year-round and encourages people to linger and explore the surrounding restaurants and shops. Just adjacent is Cadillac Square, which often hosts farmer’s markets and food truck rallies at lunchtime. And a bit further west you’ll find Beacon Park, another new green space with interactive light installations and summer night markets, plus a cafe.

Sports and entertainment are also huge downtown:

From the RenCen, it’s an easy walk or short transit ride to Comerica Park (home of the Tigers baseball team), Ford Field (home of the Lions football team), and Little Caesars Arena (hosting Red Wings hockey, Pistons basketball, and concerts). On game days, the whole downtown comes alive with fans – many of whom might park near the RenCen or take the People Mover (Detroit’s elevated light rail loop) which conveniently connects the RenCen to those stadiums and other downtown stops. The People Mover’s RenCen station is actually inside the complex, providing a quick hop to places like Greektown, Grand Circus Park, and more. Between sports, music, and cultural festivals, there’s seldom a dull weekend in downtown Detroit. And importantly, Detroiters from across the metro area come down to enjoy these attractions, keeping the city core active. So even as the RenCen transitions to new uses, the attractions around it – from the Riverwalk to the stadiums – will continue to draw people downtown in huge numbers.

GM Ren Cen, Facebook

Neighborhood Real Estate Impacts and Investment Opportunities

With GM’s move and the proposed RenCen overhaul, what might the future hold for local real estate and the surrounding neighborhood? In many respects, this moment is sparking opportunities for growth and reinvestment in downtown Detroit – but it also comes with challenges to navigate.

On the positive side, the ambitious plans to redevelop the RenCen could be a game-changer for the downtown real estate market. Converting portions of the complex to residential units would inject hundreds of new apartments into the area. Early plans envision up to 600 new housing units on the RenCen site, many of them premium riverfront residences. For a downtown that had roughly 6,800 residents in 2024, adding that many new apartments would be a significant 8–10% boost in population capacity. In fact, downtown’s population has already grown about 28% since 2010, as old office buildings have been converted into lofts and new residential developments have risen. City leaders and the Downtown Detroit Partnership have a stated goal of reaching 10,000 downtown residents in the coming years. A reimagined RenCen with condos and apartments could accelerate progress toward that goal dramatically. More people living in the RenCen area means more foot traffic for local businesses after 5 PM, more demand for shops, services, and maybe even schools, and generally a healthier live-work-play balance in the central business district. As one downtown development leader put it, “density feeds more density” – the more residents you add, the more attractive it becomes for others to move in and for businesses to open to serve them.

The redevelopment could also enhance property values in the vicinity. By turning a largely closed-off corporate fortress into an open mixed-use community, the plan aims to knit the riverfront back into downtown’s street grid. New parks and public spaces would likely make nearby blocks more attractive for investment. Already, Detroit’s real estate values have been surging – the city saw an average home price increase of around 20% from 2023 to 2024, the largest jump of any major U.S. market in that period. While much of that growth has been in Detroit’s neighborhoods, downtown is no exception to the rising tide. Major projects like the Hudson’s Site (a ~$1.4 billion development featuring offices, retail, a hotel, and luxury condos) and the restoration of historic buildings into apartments (such as the recent conversion of the United Artists Building into the Residences @ 150 Bagley) signal strong confidence in downtown’s trajectory. The RenCen redevelopment, if it proceeds, would be another vote of confidence – essentially a bet that downtown Detroit will continue to thrive and that there is demand for high-end riverfront living and modern office space even in a post-pandemic work era.

Speaking of the work era, one cannot ignore the realities that prompted GM to move in the first place: changing office dynamics. Downtown Detroit, like many city centers, has seen office vacancy rise due to remote and hybrid work trends. The RenCen itself had large blocks of empty offices even before GM’s decision, and finding tenants to fill millions of square feet of traditional office space is challenging in today’s market. That’s why the redevelopment pivots toward mixed-use, carving out offices in one tower (likely for GM and perhaps other companies) but dedicating much of the complex to residential and entertainment uses. Real estate experts are somewhat mixed on how quickly the market can absorb 600 new units downtown – some caution that it may take time to find that many renters/buyers, especially if they are priced at the luxury end. However, the general sentiment is that diversifying downtown real estate is the right move. Detroit doesn’t want an oversized, half-empty office complex on its riverfront. A smaller, more modern office footprint coupled with homes, retail, and attractions would likely be more resilient, attracting different kinds of users at different times of day. This echoes what Ford is doing at the Michigan Central Station in Corktown – turning an old train station into a mixed innovation campus – and what other downtown projects have done by blending uses.

There are also potential ripple effects for nearby neighborhoods. Just east of the Renaissance Center, the East Riverfront area has been seeing new residential construction (like the Orleans Landing apartments) and has long-awaited development of vacant land (such as the former Uniroyal site near the Belle Isle bridge). A successful transformation of the RenCen could spur more investment along that corridor, linking downtown with Belle Isle via a continuous strip of parks and new housing. West of the RenCen, the momentum from Campus Martius and Hart Plaza’s upgrades could continue toward the financial district and beyond. On the flip side, some observers urge that as downtown prospers, the city must ensure development is inclusive and benefits longtime Detroiters. Affordable housing components (as hinted for a portion of the RenCen apartments) and workforce opportunities will be important to prevent purely high-end growth that could alienate some residents. The good news is that 99% of Detroit’s neighborhoods saw property value increases last year, not just downtown, so ideally the rising tide is lifting all boats. City officials have also kept homeowners protected with tax caps despite rising assessments, aiming to avoid displacement.

For investors, downtown Detroit presents a mix of excitement and caution. Opportunities to get in on new developments – whether it’s leasing retail space in revamped structures or developing adjacent properties – are growing. If the RenCen plan moves forward with public support, contractors, builders, and local businesses could see a boom from the construction and new customer base. Already, companies like Rocket Mortgage (Quicken Loans) have a big downtown presence, and the influx of GM to Woodward, plus Ford in Corktown, means Detroit’s big three automakers are each anchoring major urban redevelopment projects. This corporate commitment to the city’s core is something that would have been unthinkable 20 years ago when offices were largely fleeing to suburbs. It bodes well for the downtown office market’s evolution – even if less space is needed overall, the space that does exist will be higher quality and more centrally clustered.

Market forecasts for Detroit real estate in the next few years generally predict moderate continued growth. The housing market in Metro Detroit remains competitive, and downtown rentals have stayed relatively strong thanks to young professionals and even empty-nesters moving back to the city for its new amenities. As long as projects are phased intelligently, there’s optimism that demand will meet supply. A Detroit real estate report for 2024 noted the city’s housing is experiencing “rapid growth” in value and is “one of the best places to invest” due to its affordability relative to other cities and the upside potential as development continues. Of course, ensuring that development is equitable is key – city leaders often emphasize inclusive growth so that new jobs and housing options are accessible across income levels.

The Renaissance Center’s next chapter is more than just a building story; it’s a Detroit story. The complex that once symbolized the city’s 1970s ambitions may soon symbolize Detroit’s 2020s reinvention – shifting from a single-tenant corporate fortress into a diverse, community-oriented riverfront neighborhood. For locals, that means new places to live, work, and play downtown. For visitors, it means a more welcoming waterfront with even more to do. And for the real estate market, it means significant investment flowing into a property that, while challenging, has enormous potential given its location. There’s a buzz in the air that in a few years, we might be walking through a transformed RenCen campus – perhaps past apartments lit up at night, through a lively park with food kiosks and art installations – and marveling that this was once the sterile complex we only entered if we had a meeting there. Detroit has a knack for reimagining its landmarks (just look at the successful rebirth of Midtown, or the recent renovation of Michigan Central Station by Ford). If the RenCen’s rebirth follows suit, downtown Detroit’s renaissance – the one the RenCen originally promised decades ago – may finally be realized in a new form.