General Motors will relocate its global headquarters to another location in Detroit in 2025.

According to a news release from the automaker, it will be the anchor tenant at Bedrock’s development on the historic site of the former J.L. Hudson Department Store.

GM to Continue Detroit Legacy

This marks GM’s fourth headquarters location in Detroit since 1911, "reaffirming its longstanding commitment" to the city, according to the news release.

“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,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “Hudson’s Detroit marks a significant development in the city and returns an iconic name back to where it belongs. GM, meanwhile, is already building EVs at its Factory ZERO plant, located here in Detroit. I am equally excited to see what these two great companies imagine when it comes to the future redevelopment of the Renaissance Center.”

 the GM, Bedrock, the city of Detroit, and Wayne County will establish a partnership to explore redevelopment opportunities for the current HQ, the Renaissance Center site, over approximately the next year, prior to GM’s move 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,” GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said. “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.”

The move to Hudson’s Detroit will mark GM’s return to Woodward Avenue, where it established its first headquarters in the city. GM has now entered into an initial 15-year, multi-level lease for the top office floors of the office building as well as showcase space on the street level for GM vehicles and community activations.

“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.”

A Closer Look at Hudson's Detroit

Hudson’s Detroit is a 1.5-million sq.-ft. development that will feature office, ground-floor retail, a 5-star hotel, rooftop bar, residential condominiums, a public plaza, parking, and large event spaces.

Hudson's is comprised of a 12-story office building with event and retail spaces, and adjacent 45 floor hotel and residential tower.

The Hudson’s department store, known as the “Big Store” and “J.L. Hudson,” broke ground in 1891 and was the foremost retailer in Detroit — at one time the second largest department store in the world. The massive flagship store anchored the bustling Woodward Avenue corridor and was a destination for domestic and international shopping enthusiasts until it closed its doors in 1983. The structure was eventually demolished.

What's Next for the Renaissance Center Site

Post-pandemic, the work environment has changed the way office space is utilized. A recent study by CBRE indicated that 80% of current office occupiers have adopted or will adopt hybrid work. The Renaissance Center will be repositioned 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 automaker noted. The development of GM Plaza was the foundation of the private-public Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, providing expansive public access to the Detroit River for the first time.

The Renaissance Center area and RiverWalk have been bolstered by GM’s continuous improvements, totaling more than $1 billion in investment since 1996.

The initial $500 million Renaissance Center renovation was designed to make the site more accessible to the community, including the removal of the external concrete towers that limited entry from Jefferson Avenue. 

GM developed the first phase of the Detroit International RiverWalk in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, building some of the most popular places on the riverfront, including the GM Fountain, GM Plaza and the Wintergarden.

GM's Other Investments in the Motor City

General Motors invested $2.2 billion in Factory ZERO (formerly the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center) in November 2020 for retooling and upgrades. Factory ZERO builds a number of Ultium-powered EVs including the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV WT, as well as the upcoming Silverado EV RST, the GMC Sierra Denali EV, and the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

The plant was first built in 1985 and has manufactured over 3 million vehicles. Today, it employs nearly 4,000 people.

Additionally, GM has awarded more than $117 million in grants over the last decade to various Detroit-based nonprofit programs to further its engagement and impact in the city.

GM’s first home in Detroit was 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 relocated to the Albert Kahn-designed General Motors Building at 3044 West Grand Boulevard in 1923, where it remained for many years before the company purchased the Renaissance Center in 1996.