SHoP Architects has completed the office portion of the Hudson's complex in downtown Detroit, a major development designed to honor the city's architectural heritage and signal its ongoing revitalization. The complex consists of two buildings: a completed 12-story office building and a 45-story skyscraper component that is structurally finished but won't open until 2027. The tower will be the second tallest building in Detroit, representing a significant milestone for the city that declared bankruptcy just over a decade ago in 2013.
The project was constructed on the historically significant site of the former J.L. Hudson's department store, which was once one of the largest department stores in the world. After being demolished in the late 1990s, the site remained vacant for decades, serving only as underground parking. Developer Bedrock, which has spearheaded the decade-long planning and construction process, sees the complex as a symbol of Detroit's transformation and growth.
"It's looking at the legacy, not just of the site, but I think, of the city, and of design and architectural heritage – it symbolizes opportunity," said Jamie Witherspoon, Bedrock's senior vice president of architecture and design. Witherspoon emphasized the extensive development that has taken place throughout the city over the past decade, positioning Hudson's Detroit as part of a broader urban renewal effort.
SHoP Architects' design philosophy for the project was deeply rooted in Detroit's architectural DNA. Bedrock founder Dan Gilbert specifically instructed the New York-based studio to immerse themselves in Detroit's unique character rather than importing outside design sensibilities. "[Gilbert] said, you have to understand the DNA of the city. I don't want you guys coming in from New York and importing New York ideas or Europe," explained Bill Sharples, founding partner of SHoP Architects. "This city has an established presence. It also has its status, philosophy and history."
The completed office building draws formal inspiration from classic Detroit architecture, particularly the nearby Guardian Building, while allowing the building's programming needs to dictate its overall shape. The structure features a distinctive design with sculptural metal panels wrapping the base, creating the impression of Art Deco detailing that veils the structure from street level. The upper portion is primarily glass with articulated panels that create a rippling effect across the facade.
Sharples described the building as having a "moody" character due to the interplay between the dark metal base and reflective glass upper floors. "It definitely has moodiness," he said. "When the sun hits the veil, it's gold. When the sun's off the veil, it's dark bronze." This atmospheric quality extends to the interior spaces, where dark, moody detailing including chandeliers contrasts with brighter areas.
A major architectural feature of the office building is its seven-story atrium located in the building's core, topped by a sculptural skylight that steps back toward a bulkhead. The skylight brings natural light deep into the heart of the building, illuminating the massive atrium space with white walls and circulation areas that open up around a central planter filled with trees. Interestingly, though not originally planned, the atrium's shape resembles the headlight of a 1954 Corvette, creating an unintentional reference to Detroit's automotive design heritage. This connection is particularly fitting as General Motors will occupy office space in the building.
The 45-story skyscraper component incorporates similar material details to the office building but in a more streamlined fashion. The tower steps back from multiple directions as it rises and is trimmed with terracotta panels that outline the building blocks. When completed in 2027, it will house an Edition hotel and serve as a major addition to Detroit's skyline.
The complex has undergone several significant design changes since the initial plans were announced. One of the most important modifications, according to both Sharples and Witherspoon, was the addition of an alley between the two buildings that opens up the ground-level program to public access and engagement.
Sharples contrasted the Hudson's complex with Detroit's other major office development, the John Portman-designed Renaissance Center, which he characterized as fortress-like. "The Renaissance Center was built in a period of time where Detroit was a very different city, and that architecture reflected that – it's a fortress," he said. "This isn't. This is an open architecture and it celebrates not only history, but the optimism, as Jamie said, in terms of the city moving forward."
The Hudson's Detroit project is part of Bedrock's extensive development portfolio, which has included dozens of projects over the past 15 years, including the restoration of the historic Book Tower skyscraper. Recently, Bedrock announced plans in partnership with General Motors to demolish some towers of the Renaissance Center, further reshaping Detroit's downtown landscape. The Hudson's complex stands as a testament to Detroit's ongoing urban transformation and represents a new chapter in the city's architectural and economic development story.
