Cadillac Place

Cadillac Place, formerly known as the General Motors Building, is a historic building located in Detroit, Michigan, and was once the headquarters of General Motors. The building was designed by Arthur Neville Richardson and completed in 1923, with Albert Kahn serving as the associate architect, and was influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. The building's design was also influenced by the Chicago School style, which was popularized by architects such as Daniel Burnham and John Root.

● History

The building was constructed during a time of significant growth for General Motors, under the leadership of William C. Durant and Alfred P. Sloan. The company's success was largely due to the popularity of its Chevrolet and Oldsmobile brands, as well as its innovative electric starter technology, developed by Charles Kettering and Delco Electronics. The building served as the headquarters for General Motors until 2001, when the company relocated to the Renaissance Center, designed by John Portman and developed by Henry Ford II and Henry Ford. During its time as the headquarters, the building played host to many notable events, including meetings with Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler, and Lee Iacocca.

● Architecture

The building's design is a prime example of Neoclassical architecture, with a granite and limestone exterior, and a marble and bronze interior, featuring a large atrium designed by Guastavino Company. The building's architecture was influenced by the works of Donato Bramante and Andrea Palladio, and features a large portico with Corinthian columns, designed by McKim, Mead & White. The building's design was also influenced by the Beaux-Arts architecture style, which was popularized by architects such as Richard Morris Hunt and Stanford White. The building's interior features a large staircase designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and a ceiling painted by Violet Oakley.

● Location

The building is located in the New Center area of Detroit, near the Fisher Building, designed by Joseph Urban and developed by The Fisher Brothers. The area is also home to the Henry Ford Hospital, founded by Henry Ford and William Mayo, and the College for Creative Studies, founded by Josephine F. Ford. The building is situated near the intersection of West Grand Boulevard and Second Avenue, and is accessible by Interstate 75 and M-1, also known as Woodward Avenue. The building is also located near the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by Paul Philippe Cret and Francis Bacon, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, founded by Charles H. Wright.

● Tenants

The building is currently home to a number of tenants, including the State of Michigan, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Department of Transportation, led by Kirk Steudle. The building also houses offices for the City of Detroit, including the Detroit Police Department, led by James Craig, and the Detroit Fire Department, led by Eric Jones. The building is also home to a number of private companies, including Quicken Loans, founded by Dan Gilbert, and Rock Ventures, founded by Dan Gilbert and Matt Cullen.

● Renovation

In 2002, the building underwent a major renovation, led by Sachse Construction and designed by SmithGroupJJR. The renovation included the restoration of the building's historic exterior and interior, as well as the installation of new mechanical and electrical systems, designed by Syska Hennessy Group. The renovation also included the addition of new elevators and escalators, installed by ThyssenKrupp Elevator, and the creation of a new atrium and courtyard, designed by OLIN. The renovation was completed in 2004, and the building was re-opened as Cadillac Place, with a ceremony attended by Jennifer Granholm, Dick DeVos, and John Engler. The building's renovation was recognized with a number of awards, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Preservation Award, and the American Institute of Architects's AIA Honor Award. Category:Buildings and structures in Detroit