RenCen (Photo by Deadline Detroit)
Dan Gilbert
Can Dan Gilbert save the Renaissance Center?
General Motors, which owns the majority of the monstrous structure, is moving its headquarters out next year to Gilbert's Hudson's Detroit development on Woodward. Under the arrangement, Gilbert has the option to buy the main five-building complex plus other surrounding properties.
His real estate arm, the city and GM are trying to figure out what to do with the towering buildings, which were supposed to symbolize the city's comeback after the 1967 rebellion decimated many neighborhoods and commercial districts.
At a panel discussion Wednesday evening about the former bankruptcy, Gilbert said he sees “huge potential” for redevelopment of the RenCen, Crain's Detroit Business reports.
“How do we extend the Renaissance Center all the way to the river, as far as entertainment and attraction?” Gilbert said during the discussion at the Detroit Institute of Arts. “We’re looking at those buildings and how they can be sort of freed up and put back into play. It’s a massive project and a massive undertaking, but we’re making progress every day and I believe 10 years from now, they’ll be the jewels on the river again, maybe like they were at one point.”