Manuel 1

Madeline Manuel
Dr. Martin DeNicolo
Hon 1000
8 November 2016
Where are We Going?
In deciding the site of choice on where we are going, the group considered finding a

building that reflected the timeless innovative growth and future of Detroit. After careful

consideration, Wayne States very own Old Main and the Detroit Renaissance Center were our

two options, the former being a historical symbol of Wayne State University and therefore

Detroit, and the latter for its fame of GM and a modern symbol of Detroit. The group primarily

focused on the futuristic aspect of Detroit and so ultimately chose the Renaissance Center.

Prior to the creation of the Renaissance Center, the infamous Detroit riot of 1967 became

the decisive factor that led to the spark that signaled the start of a massive migration out of

Detroit city and to the suburbs (Aelbrecht). As people poured out to escape, the city declined

economically and therefore was on the verge of collapse Four years after its population decline,

Detroits civic leaders, led by Ford Motor Company Chairman Henry Ford II, created Detroit

Renaissance (GM Renaissance Center). This was an attempt to revive Detroits urban society and

renew its population, and by creating buildings that would bring in a sense of safety and security

primarily in the riverfront (Aelbrecht).

Its creation began in 1973 and took ten years to complete the towers. The first tower,

Tower 100, was established in 1976. The year after, its launch became what is today the Detroit

Marriott and became the worlds tallest hotel skyscraper at the time with 73 stories. Finally, in

1981, Towers 500 and 600 were created. In 1987, Detroit People Mover joined and began

operating throughout the city. During the time of its construction until 1996, the Ford Company
 Manuel 2

occupied the building, but GM purchased the center in 1996 and made it its global headquarters.

With control over the building, GM renovated it with $500 million, adding the rest of the

features seen today, including the circulation ring and Wintergarden (About GMRENCEN).

The creation of the Renaissance Center ultimately embodies a beacon to attract influential

businesses in helping revive Detroit. One major company, as discussed already, was General

Motors. As Detroit is known as the Motor City, adding GM, the worlds largest auto company,

aided in creating new jobs, helped Detroit live up to its name, and ultimately attracted everyone

back to Detroit (Meredith). Besides adding renovation and locating its headquarters in the center,

it also fulfilled Henry Ford IIs plan for urban renewal. At the same time of the centers

renovations, GM also purchased nearby buildings and their properties, encouraging commercial

and residential development in the riverfront. In other words, GM helped create jobs and

renovate housing in Detroit, both factors essential for urban renewal ("Renaissance Center").

Still, GM was not the only major influence to improve Detroit. Quicken Loans founder

Dan Gilbert saw opportunity in Detroit, calling it a massive upside. From there, he quickly

filled the barren landscapes that ran through Detroit, occupying the empty skyscrapers with his

businesses and enlightening the streets with restaurants, rentals, recreational centers, and food

trucks (Gallagher). In addition, he planned to work with the Renaissance Center to revitalize

Detroit, and one of his main points was to make the center more technologically advanced. To

him, the future of Detroit rested in technology, not manufacturing, as the car business is

technology on wheels, and he planned to make the city the future of mobility (Finley).

Not only do wealthy men like Gilbert see opportunity in Detroit thanks to the

Renaissance Center, but so do the common people. For example, personal interviews from

participants and spectators at Youmacon have all stated that they feel nothing but positivity from
 Manuel 3

the Renaissance Center to Detroit. One spectator has stated, The Renaissance Center, tall and

proud, symbolizes Detroits comeback. It shows businesses coming back thanks to big

businessmen. But Detroit does not only benefit from the center economically. From another

observer, The Renaissance Center brings in people from around the world to join the

conventions and meetings, and from this, the people can see it represents the possibility of

Detroits return, as the building is extravagant and located in a beautiful location. It can also

bring people of all backgrounds together, especially in Youmacon, where all fans of videogames

and anime come together to enjoy themselves.

A way of seeing the Renaissance Center is an image of a lighthouse. Some of the most

essential functions of a lighthouse is to warn boats of dangerous areas and guide them to their

destination ("Lighthouses: FAQ"). Like a lighthouse, the Renaissance Center creates light of

Detroits new opportunity for revival, will guide the American people past Detroits dark times,

where they can learn from its mistakes, and eventually bring them back to Detroit. The various

businesses and events that occupy the center proves to be a lighthouse that guides businessmen

and the common folk to see Detroit for what it can be in the future, one that will continue to

create more influential buildings and jobs, and ultimately bring the American people back to

Detroit. But the Renaissance Center is not only important for Detroit but also for all cities. Cities

that were once powerful and have declined over time can learn from this center. With

determination and an innovative mind, one building can show the possibility of what the city can

be and thus, these cities can certainly rise back to the top.
 Manuel 4

The Renaissance Center taken by me from afar

Works Cited
 Manuel 5

"About GMRENCEN." GMRENCEN. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

<http://gmrencen.com/about-the-ren-cen/>.

Aelbrecht, Wes. "Decline and Renaissance: Photographing Detroit in the 1940s and 1980s."

Journal of Urban History 41.2 (2015): 307. ProQuest. Web. 6 Nov. 2016.

Finley, Nolan. "Gilbert to GM: Build Tech-rich Downtown HQ." Detroit News. N.p., 29 June

2016. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

<http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/nolan-finley/2016/06/29/gilbert-

offers-big-vision-downtown/86540422/>.

Gallagher, John. "Dan Gilbert: Detroit's Downtown Dynamo." Lansing State Journal: 11. Aug 23

2015. ProQuest. Web. 6 Nov. 2016.

"GM Renaissance Center." Critical Detroit. N.p., 21 Dec. 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

<http://criticaldetroit.org/buildings/gm-renaissance-center/>.

"Lighthouses: FAQ." Fact Monster. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

<http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0800631.html>.

Meredith, Robin. "G.M Buys A Landmark of Detroit for Its Home." Nytimes. The New York

Times, 17 May 1996. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

 Manuel 6

<http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/17/us/gm-buys-a-landmark-of-detroit-for-its-

home.html>.

"Renaissance Center." Detroit1701. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

<http://detroit1701.org/RenCen.htm>.

Personal interview. 5 November 2016.