Khan 1

Manal Khan

Honors 1000: The City

Dr. Rowley

8 November 2017

General Motors Renaissance Center

The site my group chose for our assignment was the General Motors Renaissance Center,

located on the International Riverfront in Downtown Detroit. The Renaissance Center re-

established Detroits architecture by bringing people together whether it is for business or

entertainment. It gives Detroit a prominent skyline on the waterfront with its renewed business

friendly environment, therefore showing that Detroit is blossoming into an economic hub.

As our group conducted research on this site, it became evident that the Renaissance

Centers history provides an authentic way of seeing for Detroit. The construction and decisions

lied within this entity shows a clear vision of Detroits struggles, prosperity, and where it is

going. The Renaissance Center has had a remarkable past beginning with its grand opening in

1977 as a symbol of Detroits renewal efforts (Renaissance). It was a project that was initiated

by Henry Ford who invested $300 million (Knecht 2). Nearly ten years later, the center lost more

than $200 million with several retailers relocating to suburban malls and office buildings

(Renaissance). The failure was a result of a four-year auto industry depression that hurt

Detroits economy (Knecht 2). Once housed with luxury designers such as Cartier and Valentino,

the vacant retail space turned to office space (Renaissance). This ended the centers long

desired effort to bring suburban shoppers to the city. Ford had no choice but to sell the 73-story

hotel surrounded by four 39-story office towers. The sale was the latest sign of economic

troubles in Detroit where unemployment was at 16 percent (Balberman 3). Nevertheless, the
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General Motors Corporation bought the Renaissance Center in 1996 with the efforts to revitalize

the citys declining downtown area (General). Spending an additional $350 million for

renovations, the Renaissance Center saw a strong growth in employment and more businesses

moving in which reflects Detroits economic resurgence (Employment).

The Renaissance Centers ambition of a new Detroit was visible from my visit to the

site. It was a warm Thursday morning, when I took Detroits newest form of transportation, the

Q-line, from Wayne State University to the last stop on Congress Street. I had to walk about half

a mile before arriving at the towers. While walking to my destination, I noticed the busy streets

of Downtown Detroit. Several folks of different backgrounds were traveling to work or simply

enjoying the entertaining aspects of the urban area. I arrived at the GM headquarters from the

East Jefferson Avenue entrance where I was amazed by the inviting architecture. Two sets of

staircases led to the glass-fronted entrance of the central tower. Both the exterior and interior

designs focus on openness and clarity. This is evident through the skyscrapers glass structure,

high ceilings, and the central towers circulation ring. When I entered the building, I was

captivated by the lobbys stained-glass artwork with displays of General Motors latest

automobiles. I walked along the circular ring that surrounds the 44,000-square foot showroom

(Desiderio 83). Half-way across the ring, I came to the centers food court, better known as the

Wintergarden. This five-story glass-enclosed atrium overlooks the Detroit River where I

encountered a diverse group of individuals. There were individuals who were guests staying at

the Marriot hotel connected to the GM Center (Barnhill). Others included residents of Detroit

and businesspeople working in the office complexes. From the way the residents and

businesspeople dressed along with the hotel guests ability to afford rooms that cost $200 a night,

it was apparent that the GM Center attracted audiences from the middle- and upper-classes
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(Barnhill). Although the Renaissance Center creates an environment that welcomes everybody, a

clear segment of Detroits population was missing. That is, the vast population of African

Americans and individuals below poverty were not in the setting.

The prominent architect of the Renaissance Center, John Portman, used elements of city

beautiful to construct a profitable model (Desiderio 84). The impressive glass exterior and

interior is attractive which lures the public to buy and businesses to invest. Portman achieved the

concept of Forgetting Machine to create a better image and message for Detroit. The open-

environment created by the glass structure focuses on the future and where we are going. The

retail stores lure Designer People to visit the Renaissance Center. This boosts the economy as

individuals in the city and suburbs are coming in to buy goods or services. The city beautiful

now evolves into the city profitable, where the site is being allocated for civilian use while also

focusing on Detroits financial growth. While the center offers luxury for Designer People, it is

also a practical resource for area residents. There are fast-food joints, high-end restaurants,

banks, medical facilities, and grocery stores. Peoples daily needs are met by going to this one

building. Another way of seeing the Centers statement design is that it doesnt serve all

residents. Much of Detroits difficult past was ignored in the Renaissance Centers construction

which included the citys economic decline and the upheavals of 1967. It warns some African

Americans and poor people that the building is not necessary meant for them. Many of stores and

buildings purposes cater towards the middle- to upper-class. While the Renaissance Centers

prominent skyline showcases Detroits ability to rebuild, it is not an accurate way of seeing for

Detroit, as it does not represent all residents.

This architecture doesnt just narrate Detroits history but can serve as an example of

urban form in many urban cities. It is an urban form that targets businesses while also
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incorporating the public in this scenery. An example that lies in Atlanta, Georgia is The Westin

Peachtree Plaza whose reflective glass structure and park style lobby invites people to

socialize (Westin). The primary functionality of urban forms in cities is to bring people

together. The city beautiful aspects of the building attract civilians while businesses inside the

structure create a city profitable. General Motors Renaissance Center serves Detroit as a

business hub and an example of the citys continual efforts to innovate for the future.
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Photographs:

A photo outside the glass-fronted complex that The Wintergarden faces the International
displays the modern five towers. Riverfront with an impressive glass entryway
which showcases the buildings openness to
pedestrians.

This shows the entryway of the center from This is the circular ring inside the
Jefferson Ave. It draws people in with its Renaissance Centers Central Tower.
profound stained-glass art and brand-new
automobiles on display.
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Works Cited

Balberman, Nicky. "RenCen Sale is the Latest Detroit Problem."

The Washington Post (1974-Current file), May 08, 1982, pp. 3, ProQuest Historical

Newspapers: The Washington Post,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/147568107?accountid=14925.

Barnhill, Rian. "Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center Announces a $30 Million

Renovation." Michigan Chronicle, Aug, 2013, pp. 2-C.1, Ethnic NewsWatch,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/1449478862?accountid=14925.

Desiderio, Francis. "A Catalyst for Downtown": Detroit's Renaissance Center." Michigan

Historical Review, vol. 35, no. 1, Spring 2009, pp. 83-112. EBSCOhost,

proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a

hl&AN=43046738&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

"Employment Growth in Downtown Detroit Will Continue, Says Survey." Michigan Chronicle,

Nov 22, 1995, pp. 8-A, Ethnic NewsWatch,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/390206275?accountid=14925.

"General Motors Buys Renaissance Center, Will Relocate there." Wall Street Journal

(1923 - Current file), May 17, 1996, pp. 1, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Wall

Street Journal,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/1441133702?accountid=14925.

Knecht, Bruce. "Renaissance Center: Ford's Costly and Failing Bid to Revive Detroit." New York

Times (1923-Current file), Jul 03, 1983, pp. 2, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The

New York Times,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/122093691?accountid=14925.
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"Renaissance Hit in Detroits Darkening Age." Chicago Tribune (pre-1997 Fulltext), Sep 03,

1986, pp. 3, Chicago Tribune,

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/docview/290954260?accountid=14925.

"Westin Peachtree Plaza." Cities Guide, June 2008. General OneFile,

go.galegroup.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=lom_waynesu&v=2.

1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA179594304&sid=summon&asid=c76ad99f6680cb680f71e5b53

d6db74a.