Renaissance Center at a Crossroads?

[stasu1213]

The RenCen once had a glass like atrium in the front facing Jefferson in the 90s before GM had purchased it. Stores such as Waldens bookstore and The Coffee Beanery were in the atrium. GM came in and by 2002 put the Winter Garden in the back. Jo's A Bank, Godiva, and Hallmark weren't getting the businesses hoped for in the Winter Garden ending in their stores. Brookfield Place is in an area where there's plenty of foot traffic. An investor or developer such as a Dan Gilbert would probably move the Winter Gardens to the front facing Jefferson and place shops inside. Mary Bara and GM only care about keeping GM headquarters strictly an office building with a few amenities that only it's employees could enjoy and screw the rest.

[kuuma]

Brookfield Place is in an area where there's plenty of foot traffic. An investor or developer such as a Dan Gilbert would probably move the Winter Gardens to the front facing Jefferson and place shops inside.

Rather than moving it around again, would it not make more sense to build up the surrounding area so that the foot traffic does become sufficient? Currently the building is flanked by 4 parking garages, an acres-long surface lot, a high-speed 12-lane road connecting multiple highways, a border-crossing facility, and ZERO residential or other commercial. There won't ever be enough foot traffic for something better without eliding the campus with a complete neighborhood.

[Jason]

The RenCen once had a glass like atrium in the front facing Jefferson in the 90s before GM had purchased it. Stores such as Waldens bookstore and The Coffee Beanery were in the atrium. GM came in and by 2002 put the Winter Garden in the back. Jo's A Bank, Godiva, and Hallmark weren't getting the businesses hoped for in the Winter Garden ending in their stores. Brookfield Place is in an area where there's plenty of foot traffic. An investor or developer such as a Dan Gilbert would probably move the Winter Gardens to the front facing Jefferson and place shops inside. Mary Bara and GM only care about keeping GM headquarters strictly an office building with a few amenities that only it's employees could enjoy and screw the rest.

Specifically what kind of retail do you think the Ren Cen should have instead?

[stasu1213]

Specifically what kind of retail do you think the Ren Cen should have instead?

I would not suggest any retail at this point. The location if the Winter Garden is a dead zone during the colder months. I would redo the area facing Jefferson and put shops and boutiques in it. GM should place classic GM cars throughout the complex that are from the 30s through the 80s for visitors coming to the complex. GM head classic cars displayed throughout their former complex on West Grand Blvd