Quick Facts:
- Giant teddy bear installed October 28, 2025 at Hudson's Detroit, 1208 Woodward Avenue
- Located in Nick Gilbert Way plaza between Campus Martius and Grand Circus Park
- Honors Hudson's Santa Bear tradition (1985-2007) and Nick Gilbert's legacy
- Part of Decked Out Detroit holiday programming through January 2026
- Represents Detroit's connection between history and renaissance
- Accessible via QLine at Grand Circus Park station
A 26-year-old memory, a century-old tradition, and a giant teddy bear sitting in downtown Detroit are teaching us something profound about what it means to come home.
So there I was on October 29th, scrolling through my Detroit news feed (as one does when you're completely obsessed with this city's comeback), and I see this photo: a giant teddy bear, all dressed up in lights, just sitting there between the two Hudson's Detroit buildings on Woodward Avenue. And I'm not gonna lie, I got a little emotional.
Because this isn't just some cute holiday decoration. This bear is telling one of the most beautiful stories about Detroit, memory, loss, and hope that I've heard in years.
Let me back up and tell you why this matters so much, and trust me, by the end of this, you're either going to be booking a trip downtown to see this bear in person, or you're going to understand why those of us who love Detroit get so ridiculously passionate about stuff like this.
RAW Detroit, Facebook
What Is the Giant Teddy Bear at Hudson's Detroit?
Workers installed the giant teddy bear on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, right there in Nick Gilbert Way, the pedestrian plaza that runs between the 12-story office building and the massive 685-foot tower that makes up Hudson's Detroit at 1208 Woodward Avenue. (And yes, we're going to talk about who Nick Gilbert was and why that name matters so much in just a minute.)
The bear showed up dressed in holiday lights, seated in this perfect spot where anyone walking along Woodward can see it. Located between Campus Martius Park and Grand Circus Park in the heart of downtown Detroit, the installation has become an instant landmark.
Bedrock, Dan Gilbert's development company, has been mysteriously quiet about the whole thing.
Here's what makes this so perfectly Detroit: back in July 2025, Bedrock quietly filed a trademark application for "The Bear at Hudson's" for stuffed and plush toys. Then in October, they submitted plans to Detroit City Council showing this bear as part of their Decked Out Detroit holiday programming, complete with a kiosk that will sell "nostalgic keepsake swag." But when reporters asked about it? Radio silence. Just this giant bear sitting there, waiting for Detroiters to discover it and remember.
And remember we did. Because this bear isn't just a bear.
What Was Hudson's Department Store and Why Does It Matter?
If you didn't grow up in metro Detroit, you might not understand what Hudson's Department Store meant to this city. But let me paint you a picture of just how insane this place was.
The Foundation of a Detroit Institution
Joseph Lowthian Hudson opened his first store on April 2, 1881, in the old Detroit Opera House. This guy had gone bankrupt during the Panic of 1873, owing creditors 60 cents on the dollar. But here's the thing that tells you everything about Hudson's character: by 1888, after making it big in Detroit, he tracked down every single one of those creditors and paid them back in full, with compound interest.
That's the kind of integrity that built Hudson's into what it became.
The Numbers That Made Hudson's Legendary
By 1946, after years of expansions, the Hudson's flagship downtown was an absolute monster:
- 2,124,316 square feet of retail space (only 26,000 square feet smaller than Macy's Herald Square)
- 410 feet tall, the tallest department store in the world
- 32 total levels (25 floors, 2 half-floors, a mezzanine, and 4 basements—yes, four basements)
- 705 fitting rooms (a world record, because of course Hudson's had to have the most)
- 51 passenger elevators, 17 freight elevators, 8 employee elevators, and 48 escalators
- Five restaurants serving 10,000 meals a day to customers
The store had its own power plant that could supply electricity to a city of 20,000 people. It had 49 display windows facing the streets. It employed 12,000 people in 1953 and averaged 100,000 sales per day.
In 1954, Hudson's did $163 million in sales, that's $1.28 billion in today's dollars.
(And here's a fun fact that still blows my mind: in 1960, they hired a high school student named Diana Ross as a bus girl. Yes, that Diana Ross. Everything about Detroit's history intersects at Hudson's.)
Hudson’s started Detroit’s parade tradition. Here’s our full 2025 parade guide.
More Than Just a Department Store
But the numbers don't capture what Hudson's really meant. This was where you got your Christmas photos with Santa. Where you ate Maurice salad and Canadian cheese soup in the 13th floor dining room. Where you watched the world's largest American flag get unfurled on Flag Day, a seven-story flag that required 55 men to hang and one mile of rope.
Hudson's started Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 (the same year Macy's started theirs), and for decades, Santa arrived at the end of that parade on Hudson's doorstep, where the mayor would give him "the key to the hearts of children of Detroit."
When Hudson's closed on January 17, 1983, it felt like Detroit's heart broke. The building sat mostly empty until October 24, 1998, when they imploded it at 5:45 p.m., the store's traditional closing time. Twenty thousand people showed up to watch the tallest building ever imploded collapse into a 60-foot pile of rubble in 30 seconds.
For 27 years, that site was just... empty. A gap in Detroit's skyline and a hole in the city's soul.
What Are Santa Bears and Why Do Detroiters Love Them?
Now, if you grew up in metro Detroit in the '80s, '90s, or early 2000s, you know about the Santa Bears. And if you didn't grow up here, you're about to understand why Detroiters lose their minds over these things.
The Birth of a Detroit Christmas Tradition
In 1985, Hudson's (by then part of the Dayton-Hudson Corporation) introduced the Santabear, spelled as one word, very official. It was designed by Paul Starkey, a senior toy buyer, and the concept was simple: a white teddy bear with a different themed outfit every year. Make it collectible. Make it special. Make it something families would come back for year after year.
The first Santabear sold 400,000 bears in three days. Four hundred thousand. In three days. That's not a marketing campaign, that's a cultural phenomenon.
22 Years of Christmas Magic
Every year from 1985 to 2007 (a 22-year run), Hudson's released a new Santa Bear. The 1987 Aviator had goggles and a red leather bomber jacket with embroidered wings. The 1993 World Traveler came with a green backpack and a passport from the North Pole. The 2004 Ski Patrol wore a fleece ski hat with goggles and came with a little dog in a red bandanna.
Each one was white, fluffy, and designed to become part of your family's Christmas tradition.
(My favorite detail: they made animated movies starring these bears with voice work by Bobby McFerrin, Kelly McGillis, John Malkovich, and Dennis Hopper. Dennis Hopper! For a Detroit Christmas bear! I love this city so much.)
Why Santa Bears Still Matter Today
According to the Detroit Historical Society, "just about every house in Metro Detroit back in the day had a few of the Santa Bears from Hudson's that would make their way out during the holiday season." These weren't just toys—they were heirlooms. People who collected them in the '80s and '90s still unpack them every December.
The Detroit Historical Museum has an entire Christmas tree decorated with Santa Bears from various years, and when they put it on display, grown adults get teary-eyed.
The bears stopped being produced in 2007, after Hudson's had been rebranded to Marshall Field's and then to Macy's. For almost 20 years, the Santa Bear was just a memory—something you'd find in attics and basements, a tangible piece of Detroit Christmases past.
Until October 28, 2025, when a giant one showed up on Woodward Avenue.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Facebook
Who Was Nick Gilbert and Why Is the Plaza Named After Him?
Here's where this story gets deeply personal, and I need you to understand who Nick Gilbert was.
A Young Man Who Taught Detroit About Courage
Nick Gilbert was Dan Gilbert's oldest son. He was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) when he was 15 months old, a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. There's no cure.
Nick endured multiple brain surgeries, lost his vision, went through rounds of chemotherapy throughout his life. In February 2018, while he was a student at Michigan State University, he had an eight-hour brain operation. His first words after waking up? "Did Cavs beat OKC?"
That was Nick. (His dad owned the Cleveland Cavaliers, and even after eight hours of brain surgery, the boy wanted to know about basketball. If that doesn't tell you everything about his spirit, I don't know what will.)
"What's Not to Like?"
Nick became famous at age 14 when he represented the Cavaliers at the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery. The Cavs had only a 2.8% chance of winning the number one pick. They won. When ESPN reporter Heather Cox asked him about it, with his signature bow tie and dark-rimmed glasses, Nick said: "What's not to like?"
That phrase became his catchphrase, his motto, the way everyone remembered him.
He graduated from Michigan State in 2020 with a degree in marketing. Everyone who knew him talked about his authenticity, his sincerity, his complete lack of insecurity about his condition. His dad said, "You never got 50% of Nick or 75% or even 99%. If you engaged with him, you got 100% all Nick all the time."
Nick Gilbert passed away on May 6, 2023, at age 26, at home with his family.
His Legacy Lives On in Downtown Detroit
And here's what his family did: They kept his dreams alive. Nick had been working on a passion project for years, a sports bar he wanted to open in downtown Detroit. In April 2024, on Detroit Tigers Opening Day, his family opened Gilly's Clubhouse at 1550 Woodward Avenue. Ten thousand square feet of sports bar with a 120-square-foot TV screen, Detroit memorabilia, and mac and cheese (Nick's favorite food) on the menu.
They named one of the main event rooms at Hudson's Detroit "The Bowtie" in his honor. And they named the pedestrian plaza between the Hudson's buildings Nick Gilbert Way.
On November 6, 2025, just over a week after the bear appeared, Nick Gilbert Way officially opened to the public, with a French-inspired coffee truck, live music, art installations, and year-round programming designed to bring people together. Because that's what Nick did: he brought people together.
What Is Hudson's Detroit and When Will It Be Finished?
Now let's talk about what's actually being built on this site, because the context matters.
A $1.4 Billion Answer to a 27-Year Question
Dan Gilbert's Bedrock started working on Hudson's Detroit in 2013, purchased the site in 2016, and broke ground on December 14, 2017. This is a $1.4 billion, 1.5 million square foot development—the largest ground-up development in Detroit in over 50 years. It consists of two buildings:
The 12-story office building (completed October 9, 2025): 400,000 square feet of Class A office space with a seven-story atrium, event spaces that can hold 50 to 2,500 people, a fitness center, retail (including Alo Yoga and Tecovas), and a rooftop lounge coming in 2026. General Motors is moving its global headquarters into floors 8-11 in January 2026, with a showroom on the ground floor.
The 685-foot tower (topped off April 10, 2024, opening 2027): At 45 stories, this is Michigan's second-tallest building. It will house The Detroit EDITION Hotel (Marriott's first Midwest EDITION location and Detroit's first five-star hotel) and 97 luxury condos called The Residences at The Detroit EDITION, with prices ranging from $550,000 to over $3 million.
The Construction That Rebuilt Detroit's Skyline
The construction stats are insane: over 3,500 tradespeople worked on the project, logging 2.7 million hours of labor and using 10,500 tons of steel over seven years.
But here's what matters most: Bedrock kept the Hudson's name. They could have called it anything, Gilbert Tower, Detroit Center, whatever corporate nonsense developers usually come up with. Instead, they honored the original department store, the history, the memory.
Because in Detroit, these things matter. Our past isn't something to bulldoze and forget, it's something to build upon.
For a deeper dive into the Hudson’s Detroit build, see our full breakdown here.
What Is Decked Out Detroit and How Can You Experience It?
The giant teddy bear is the centerpiece of Bedrock's Decked Out Detroit holiday programming, which runs from mid-November through January 2026. If you're wondering where to see the Hudson's bear and what else is happening downtown this holiday season, here's your guide.
Holiday Programming at Hudson's Detroit
The lineup includes:
- The 22nd Annual Detroit Tree Lighting on November 21, followed by ice skating at Campus Martius Park
- Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square with curated local vendors (funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation)
- Cadillac Lodge, a heated tent with upscale lounging and Santa Brunch events throughout December
- Free photos with Santa at 1001 Woodward
- Holiday Shop and Sips trolley tours through downtown
- Silent Night Skating and Cinema at Next Level by RollerCade
- Holiday music programming at Remix Detroit
But the bear is the symbol. According to city documents, there will be a kiosk in Nick Gilbert Way selling "nostalgic keepsake swag" related to the bear. (I'm betting they're going to sell teddy bears, and I'm betting every single one is going to sell out, just like 1985.)
What Should I Know Before Visiting the Hudson's Detroit Bear?
The bear sits in a public plaza that's open daily and free to visit. The best time to see it is in the evening when the holiday lights are illuminated. Nearby parking is available at several downtown garages, or take the QLine to Grand Circus Park station. The plaza is within easy walking distance of Campus Martius Park, and you can make a full evening of exploring downtown Detroit's holiday offerings.
Planning your visit around Campus Martius and The Rink? Use our step-by-step guide.
Why Does This Bear Matter More Than You Might Think?
So let's put all the pieces together.
You have the original Hudson's Department Store, which was the beating heart of Detroit retail from 1881 to 1983—a place so iconic that 42 years after it closed, people still get emotional talking about it.
You have the Santa Bears, which became a 22-year Christmas tradition that practically every Detroit family participated in from 1985 to 2007.
You have Nick Gilbert, a 26-year-old whose courage and joy inspired thousands, who passed away in 2023 and is honored with the plaza where this bear sits.
And you have a city that went through bankruptcy, depression, abandonment, and pain—and is now experiencing a renaissance so profound that a $1.4 billion development is just one of many massive projects reshaping downtown.
This bear connects all of it.
A Symbol of Memory and Hope
It's saying: we remember what Hudson's meant. We remember the Santa Bears and the magic of those Christmases. We remember Nick Gilbert and the way he lived with courage and authenticity. And we're building something new that honors all of that.
When Bedrock filed that trademark for "The Bear at Hudson's" in July, they weren't just creating a holiday decoration. They were creating a symbol of Detroit's ability to carry its history forward while building something better. This bear is nostalgic without being stuck in the past. It's commemorative without being maudlin. It's hopeful without ignoring the pain.
(And honestly, the fact that Bedrock has been totally quiet about the bear while letting Detroiters discover it and make their own connections? That's some next-level community building right there. They didn't need to explain it because they knew we'd get it.)
Hudson's Detroit, Facebook
How Is Detroit's Comeback Transforming the City?
Let's zoom out for a second and talk about what's happening in downtown Detroit, because Hudson's Detroit doesn't exist in a vacuum.
Dan Gilbert's $7.5 Billion Investment
Since 2010, when Dan Gilbert moved Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage) downtown with 1,700 employees, Bedrock has invested over $7.5 billion in Detroit and Cleveland. They own 140+ properties totaling over 21 million square feet. They've restored the 38-story Book Tower (a $300-400 million historic restoration completed in 2023). They've built City Modern in Brush Park, 450 residential units with restored Victorian mansions completed in August 2025.
They're developing the Gratiot Innovation District with a 220,000 square foot Life Science Innovation Building. They're working with GM on a $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Renaissance Center.
Detroit's Renaissance by the Numbers
But it's not just Bedrock. As of November 2025, downtown Detroit's population has increased 34% in a decade. Over 200 businesses have moved downtown, bringing 21,000+ jobs. The Rocket Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation have committed $500 million over 10 years for housing stability, education, and economic mobility.
Detroit went from bankruptcy in 2013 to this. From a city that imploded its most iconic building in 1998 to a city building Michigan's second-tallest building on that exact spot. From a place people wrote off to a place people are moving to.
What Metro Detroit's Real Estate Renaissance Means
If you're thinking about investing in metro Detroit real estate, you're watching something historic unfold. I've been selling homes across Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Franklin, Farmington Hills, Auburn Hills, Clarkston, and throughout the metro area for over 24 years, and I can tell you: this is the strongest market I've seen in my career.
Downtown's transformation is driving value across the entire region. When General Motors moves their global headquarters back to Hudson's Detroit in January 2026, that's thousands of high-income professionals who need homes in our beautiful suburbs. When a five-star EDITION hotel opens in 2027, that elevates the entire market.
The Perna Team has closed over 8,000 transactions because we understand how Detroit's history connects to its future. We know which neighborhoods are positioned for growth, which historic homes are worth investing in, and how to navigate this dynamic market.
Ready to explore metro Detroit real estate opportunities? Contact me at 248-886-4450 or michaelperna@pernateam.com
What People Are Saying About the Bear
When the Detroit Free Press first reported on the bear on October 29, the tone was perfect, curious, nostalgic, a little mysterious. Reporter JC Reindl noted that Bedrock representatives were "so far mum about the bear and why he is there," which only added to the intrigue.
WXYZ Detroit emphasized the "nod to the building's past" and how it connects both to Hudson's tradition and Nick Gilbert Way. The coverage stressed how "the bear may bring back memories for some of the Santa Bear toys that were Christmas mascots," which is exactly the point.
What I'm seeing in the community response (even though Bedrock hasn't made a big social media push about it yet) is this overwhelming sense of recognition. Detroiters get it immediately.
The people who collected Santa Bears as kids are now adults with their own children, and they're seeing this giant bear and remembering what Hudson's meant, what those Christmases felt like, what Detroit was and what it's becoming again.
The Detroit Historical Society has been sharing Santa Bear content, reminding people about the tradition. (They have nearly 4,000 Hudson's artifacts in their permanent collection, including a comprehensive Santa Bear collection spanning 1985-2005.) When they put up their "Hudson's Holidays" exhibit with a Christmas tree decorated entirely in Santa Bears, people came and cried. Not because they were sad, because they remembered joy.
What Does the Hudson's Bear Symbolize for Detroit?
So here's what I want you to understand: This giant teddy bear sitting in Nick Gilbert Way between the Hudson's Detroit buildings isn't just a cute holiday decoration. It's a thesis statement about what Detroit is and what Detroit is becoming.
We're a City That Remembers
We carry our history, the good parts and the painful parts, with us. We don't bulldoze our past and pretend it didn't happen. We honor it. We build on it. We let it inform what comes next.
We Hold Space for Loss and Hope Simultaneously
Nick Gilbert Way is named for a 26-year-old who showed us how to live with courage and authenticity even when life was brutally hard. The bear sitting in that plaza honors both the Santa Bears tradition that brought joy to hundreds of thousands of Detroit families and the young man whose memory deserves to be celebrated.
We Understand the Power of Symbols
Hudson's was never just a department store, it was where Detroit came together. This new Hudson's Detroit, with its office space and hotel and luxury condos and public plaza, is trying to be that again. A place where we gather, where we celebrate, where we remember who we are.
We're Refusing to Stay Down
The fact that this development exists at all, that someone invested $1.4 billion to build on a site that sat empty for 27 years, that General Motors is moving its global headquarters back downtown, that a five-star hotel is coming to a city people said would never come back, that's not just real estate development. That's belief. That's commitment. That's Detroit saying we're not done yet, not by a long shot.
Coming Full Circle in the Best Way Possible
When you go see this bear (and you should, especially if it stirs up any memories of Hudson's or Santa Bears or Detroit Christmases past), I want you to think about all the layers of meaning it carries.
Think about Joseph Lowthian Hudson paying back his creditors with compound interest. Think about the 12,000 employees who worked in that massive department store. Think about the families who stood in line for hours to get their Santa Bears every year. Think about Nick Gilbert waking up from brain surgery asking about the Cavs. Think about Dan and Jennifer Gilbert turning their grief into spaces and projects that bring people together. Think about a city that went through bankruptcy and came out building again.
And then think about this: the best part of Detroit's story hasn't been written yet. This bear, this plaza, this development, this city—we're still becoming. We're honoring what was while building what's next. We're carrying our memories forward while making new ones.
The giant teddy bear between Hudson's Detroit buildings is dressed in lights, sitting in a plaza named for a courageous young man, waiting for Detroiters to discover it and remember and hope. It's saying: this is who we were, this is who we lost, this is who we're becoming.
And honestly? What's not to like?
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Hudson's Detroit Bear
Where is the giant teddy bear located?
The bear sits in Nick Gilbert Way, the pedestrian plaza between the 12-story office building and 685-foot tower at Hudson's Detroit, located at 1208 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, Michigan 48226. The plaza runs between Campus Martius Park and Grand Circus Park.
When did the bear appear at Hudson's Detroit?
Workers installed the giant teddy bear on October 28, 2025, as part of Bedrock's Decked Out Detroit holiday programming.
Why is there a giant bear at Hudson's Detroit?
The bear honors the Hudson's Department Store Santa Bear tradition (1985-2007) and sits in a plaza named after Nick Gilbert, Dan Gilbert's son who passed away in 2023 at age 26. It symbolizes Detroit's connection between its retail history and current renaissance.
Can I buy a Hudson's bear souvenir?
Yes, Bedrock plans to sell nostalgic keepsake merchandise at a kiosk in Nick Gilbert Way. In July 2025, Bedrock filed a trademark for "The Bear at Hudson's" for stuffed and plush toys, suggesting commemorative bears will be available for purchase.
When can I see the Hudson's Detroit bear?
The bear installation is on display through the holiday season (mid-November 2025 through January 2026) as part of Decked Out Detroit programming. The best viewing time is in the evening when the holiday lights are illuminated.
Is Hudson's Detroit finished?
The 12-story office building opened in October 2025, but the full project completes in 2027. General Motors moves into their global headquarters space in January 2026, and The Detroit EDITION hotel with luxury residences opens in 2027.
What were Hudson's Santa Bears?
Santa Bears were collectible white teddy bears sold annually at Hudson's Department Store from 1985-2007. Each year featured a different themed outfit. The first Santa Bear in 1985 sold 400,000 units in three days, becoming a beloved Detroit Christmas tradition.
Who was Nick Gilbert?
Nick Gilbert (1996-2023) was Dan Gilbert's oldest son who lived with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. He became famous at age 14 representing the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery with his catchphrase "What's not to like?" He graduated from Michigan State in 2020 and passed away in 2023 at age 26.
How do I get to Hudson's Detroit?
Hudson's Detroit is accessible via the QLine streetcar at Grand Circus Park station. Several downtown parking garages are nearby. The address is 1208 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226.
What is Decked Out Detroit?
Decked Out Detroit is Bedrock's holiday programming running mid-November through January 2026, featuring the giant teddy bear, tree lighting, holiday markets, Santa photos, skating events, and downtown shopping experiences.
Hudson's Detroit is located at 1208 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, Michigan 48226. Nick Gilbert Way plaza is open to the public daily, with the giant teddy bear installation on view through the holiday season. Decked Out Detroit programming runs from mid-November through January 2026, featuring holiday markets, ice skating, Santa events, and downtown shopping experiences. For information about metro Detroit real estate opportunities in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Franklin, and surrounding areas, contact Michael Perna at 248-886-4450 or michaelperna@pernateam.com.
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