Renaissance Center's offerings dwindle ahead of redevelopment
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The Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill in the RenCen's food court that employees say is closing tomorrow. The Andiamo Pizza Pie next door is closed. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios
Amid visions of the GM Renaissance Center's future and reflections on its past, we recently visited for a snapshot of the complex's present state.
Why it matters: The fortress-like structure that opened in 1977 has been getting hate, but it's an integral piece of the city's history and has some restaurants and retail open to the public.
- Stakeholders are trying to figure out how to bring the RenCen — which is growing obsolete in today's downtown — back to life.
The big picture: The five-building complex could be fully or partially demolished under a proposal from building owner GM and developer Bedrock after GM moves its offices there to Bedrock's Hudson's building next year.
State of play: The RenCen's faults that have contributed to its decline — especially its confusing layout and isolation within downtown — were immediately evident on our visit.
- Gone are many of its businesses and attractions, including a Potbelly sandwich shop, Calumet liquor store, Waldenbooks, McDonald's, a movie theater and a Starbucks (although a coffee shop remains).
- A spokesperson for GM declined to comment for this story.
What we saw:
👔 Sam's Tailor Shop: One of the few specialty shops left sells a limited selection of men's clothing. Business owner Ali, who declined to give his last name, says Sam's has been there since 1992. He's on a month-to-month lease and doesn't know what the shop's future holds.
🏋️ Gym: The RenCen Fitness center from GM offers equipment, Peloton Bikes, trainers and group classes Monday-Thursday to the public, according to signs posted on its doors. The gym's managers declined to speak on the record.
🍔 Food court: The RenCen's basement-level Cafe has three options, including a Burger King that was probably the building's most bustling spot on a recent weekday visit. The offerings are down from around 10 food court stalls as of 2018, per RenCen website archives.
- One of those three options is closing Thursday, according to employees. Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill, a Tex-Mex chain similar to Qdoba, has been in the RenCen since 2008.
- The location's owner wasn't available for comment, but previously told the Free Press in April that GM leaving the RenCen "doesn't put us in a very good position."
🌅 GM Wintergarden: The riverfront atrium has a stunning view of the Detroit River and Canada.
- The space includes a Panera Bread, Andiamo's restaurant and the GM Company Store.
The bottom line: Detroiter Timothy Davis was hanging out at the Wintergarden last Thursday afternoon. While eating Burger King and enjoying the view, he reminisced about the RenCen's busier days and the amenities it offered.
- "I wish it wouldn't go away," he said. "There's nothing I can do about it really. Things change. That's the way it is."