These next few years will be pivotal for the future of the Renaissance Center. GM will be moving out next year into the new Hudson's site. The auto company will work with Bedrock to develop new uses for the towers. In the meantime, one of the smaller towers to the side could start to see some changes.
The 500 and 600 towers were sold earlier this year to two different entities; a larger entity including Friedman Real Estate owns Tower 600. While Blue Cross remains in Tower 500, the new owners are looking to be more creative with the 600 Tower.
Friedman went to the City Planning Commission last week to start the process of rezoning the building. Currently, it's only zoned for office; no restaurant or retail. The Detroit Free Press reports,
“If we wanted to put a Jimmy John’s or something like that, that would not be allowed in this current use,” John-Paul Wolfe, a director at the real estate firm, told planning commissioners.
The group is looking at a wide range of options for the tower, including retail, restaurant, office, residential, and hospitality.
The commission approved the request 9-0. It will now go to City Council.
There are no solid plans yet, but the developers want options as they move forward. Currently, the building is home to three tenants. The commission was in favor of at least a partial residential conversion.
What would you like to see in the 21-story tower?
Read more: Detroit Free Press
