Ground breaks on Hudson’s site; new renderings released

On a frigid Thursday morning in December, construction officially started on one of the most iconic sites in Detroit. The tallest building in Michigan will be built on the Hudson’s block, and many who spoke at the groundbreaking noted that whereas the demolition of the Hudson’s building was a sign of Detroit’s decline, this groundbreaking was a big sign of Detroit’s recovery.

The ground itself didn’t break, but bulldozers did knock down the entrance to the underground parking structure that was on the site.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

Speakers at the event included Dan Gilbert, Mayor Mike Duggan, and representatives from Hamilton Anderson Associates and SHoP Architects. Many touted that this new development would be a tech hub, retail center, conference center, and residential—a 24/7 community. Dan Gilbert said it would be a “dynamic site,” and always changing.

New renderings were released, along with a video of the history and future of the site. We see a bigger divide between the tower and the podium, along with a better idea of what the tower will look like closer to ground level. It will reach 800-feet high, with an observation deck at the top. There will also be an event space for 1,500 people in the development. The development will be over 1,000,000 square feet in total.

Courtesy of Bedrock

Courtesy of Bedrock

Courtesy of Bedrock

Protesters outside of the event were often heard over the speakers, as they chanted about corporate welfare. Many of the speakers also talked about the importance of the Brownfield tax credits used for this and other large developments.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

The development is expected to take about three years to complete.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

Dan Gilbert said there wasn’t a name for the development yet, and it could depend on the tenants. The name “Hudson’s” could be included in some way. Any ideas, readers?