GM names Hudson’s Detroit as Its new Global Headquarters

Conceptual rendering of Hudson's Detroit with GM branding. Provided by GM Design.

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	Conceptual rendering of GM office space at Hudson's Detroit. Provided by GM Design.
	GM names Hudson’s Detroit as Its new Global Headquarters By HB Meeks tellusdetroit.com DETROIT – General Motors has announced its plan to relocate its global headquarters to Hudson’s Detroit by 2025. The new headquarters will be established at Bedrock’s development site, which was previously the location of the historic J.L. Hudson Department Store. This marks GM’s fourth headquarters location in Detroit since 1911, showcasing their long-standing commitment to the city. GM, Bedrock, the city of Detroit and Wayne County will enter into a partnership to explore redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site over the next year, before GM’s relocation to Hudson’s Detroit. “We are proud to remain in the city of Detroit in a modern office building that fits the evolving needs of our workforce, right in the heart of downtown,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Our new headquarters will provide collaboration areas for our teams, executive offices and display space for our vehicles. Dan Gilbert and Bedrock have done so much to make downtown Detroit a great place to live, work and visit. We are thrilled to be a significant part of the historic Hudson’s project and also look forward to working with them to explore new ideas and opportunities for the Renaissance Center site and the riverfront.” GM is moving to Hudson's Detroit which marks its return to Woodward Avenue - the same location where the company established its first headquarters in the city. As part of this move, GM has signed a 15-year lease for the top office floors of a state-of-the-art office building. Additionally, GM will have a showcase space on the street level for their vehicles and community events. “For more than a century, General Motors has been synonymous with the city of Detroit, and we warmly welcome them to Hudson’s as they continue to drive the future of innovation and mobility,” said Dan Gilbert, Chairman & Founder of Bedrock. “I can’t think of a better organization to help define the new legacy of Hudson’s as General Motors continues to shape the way the world moves directly from Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit.” “GM has been in the city for more than 100 years and it’s great to see that commitment continue as they move their headquarters to the heart of downtown at Hudson’s Detroit. In my time as mayor, I am proud that our team has worked together with GM and Bedrock to build on the city’s revitalization,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “As Detroit and Wayne County continue to drive global growth, knowing that General Motors is committed to staying in the area is reassuring and signals the automaker’s desire and commitment to continue working together to improve our region’s long-term growth and sustainability,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. Hudson’s Detroit Hudson’s Detroit is a massive development that spans over 1.5 million square feet and includes a range of amenities such as offices, ground-floor retail spaces, luxurious 5-star hotel, rooftop bar, residential condominiums, a public plaza, parking facilities, and large event spaces. The development comprises of a 12-story office building with event and retail spaces, along with an adjacent 45 floor hotel and residential tower that offer breathtaking views of the city at every level. The Hudson's department store, also known as the “Big Store” and “J.L. Hudson,” was established in 1891 and became a leading retailer in Detroit. The flagship store was located on the bustling Woodward Avenue corridor and was once the second largest department store in the world. It was a popular destination for shopping enthusiasts from around the world until it closed in 1983. Although the original structure was demolished, Bedrock has ensured that the new development echoes the rich history of the site. For more information on Hudson’s Detroit, please visit www.hudsons-detroit.com. Renaissance Center Site The Renaissance Center site is being considered for redevelopment at a time when the office real estate market is transforming due to changes in the work environment caused by the pandemic. According to a recent study by CBRE, 80% of current office occupiers have adopted or will adopt hybrid work. Bedrock, an experienced real estate developer, will be needed to reposition the Renaissance Center to reflect these changes. When GM acquired the Renaissance Center in 1996, it was a catalyst for the revitalization of the city and the transformation of the Detroit riverfront. The development of GM Plaza was the beginning of the private-public Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, which provided expansive public access to the Detroit River for the first time. GM has invested over $1 billion in the Renaissance Center area and RiverWalk, continuously improving the area since 1996. The initial $500 million Renaissance Center renovation aimed to make the site more accessible to the community by removing the external concrete towers that limited entry from Jefferson Avenue. Improvements were also made to the interior to ease navigation, including a central glass circulation ring and the addition of the Wintergarden, an inviting space where visitors and workers could enjoy panoramic views of the Detroit River. GM partnered with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to develop the first phase of the Detroit International RiverWalk, building some of the most popular places on the riverfront, such as the GM Fountain, GM Plaza and the Wintergarden. The Detroit RiverWalk, visited by over 3.5 million people annually, was named 'Best in America' in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by USA TODAY. GM and Detroit General Motors invested $2.2 billion in Factory ZERO (formerly the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center) in November 2020 for retooling and upgrades. Factory ZERO produces a variety of Ultium-powered electric vehicles, including the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV WT, and upcoming models such as the Silverado EV RST, the GMC Sierra Denali EV, and the Cadillac Escalade IQ. The plant was built in 1985 and has produced over 3 million vehicles. Today, it is one of the most modern automotive plants in the country, employing nearly 4,000 people. In the past decade, GM has awarded over $117 million in grants to various Detroit-based non-profit programs, prioritizing funding towards education, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. GM's first Detroit home was located at 127-129 Woodward Avenue, on the west side of the street between Fort and Congress, where the company resided from 1911-1923. GM then moved to the Albert Kahn-designed General Motors Building at 3044 West Grand Boulevard in 1923, where it remained for many years before purchasing the Renaissance Center in 1996. The financial details of the transaction between GM and Bedrock have not been disclosed.