  Sg9018 Member Username: Sg9018 Post Number: 261 Registered: 10-2006 |
Just in to the Free Press site, Quicken Loans mulling a third Detroit headquarters site http://www.freep.com/article/2 0090202/BUSINESS06/90202037/Qu icken+Loans+mulling+a+third+De troit+headquarters+site QL has a 3rd possable site, that is the Monroe Block. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9292 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Yes, the list of companies looking to develop these sites that Jackson has had to put on hold while Gilbert decides is a mile long. | ||
Wilus1mj Member Username: Wilus1mj Post Number: 296 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'd take any development project with the credit market as it is today. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 3661 Registered: 06-2008 |
wow, didn't know the move had been scaled down to just 1500 people | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1689 Registered: 05-2005 |
this also means that the polarizing building that had been proposed for the site early last year is vaporware correct? | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2175 Registered: 03-2008 |
Any idea how far along the planning phase of Cadillac Centre was? I wonder if a large office tenant would increase that project's viability. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 1315 Registered: 03-2006 |
They should take an existing building, move in, and at a later date build if its seems the right thing to do. | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 611 Registered: 02-2004 |
Or at the least, there's tons of available lease space downtown. Maybe even move into the UAW*GM building in Hart Plaza since that's coming up. | ||
Novine Member Username: Novine Post Number: 1071 Registered: 07-2007 |
"My position on that one is, if they want to do a deal and they’re ready to move on it, we’ll definitely entertain them,” Jackson said. “But I can’t have all of my sites tied up with one company." Why do reporters let him get away with that? How much work would have taken Gallagher to ask "What other companies are interested in the sites?" or "Are there other proposals waiting on properties?" We know the answer is "no" but Jackson gets away with stating the opposite. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6092 Registered: 08-2004 |
They might as well move into the primo spot 1001 Woodward, and be done with it! It was fun speculating last year between the Hudson's and Statler sites. But this year all this new speculating... speculating... nauseating!  (Message edited by Gistok on February 02, 2009) | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 8392 Registered: 02-2007 |
"the polarizing building that had been proposed for the site " i don't recall seeing any renderings, etc | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6094 Registered: 08-2004 |
Rb336, don't you remember those Frank Gehry looking designs for what looked like two 12 story lopsided cylinders on a base connected with the Cadillac Tower? The Cadillac Tower was going to get some jazzed up refacing on 2 of the 4 sides. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 1318 Registered: 03-2006 |
I thought that awful looking thing was axed a couple months ago. | ||
Gthomas Member Username: Gthomas Post Number: 162 Registered: 09-2004 |
I agree the 1001 building is great for them now, then persue the monroe block at a later date. Monroe and Woodward block should have iconic towers for Quicken Loans Headquarters and for others who follow. | ||
Gthomas Member Username: Gthomas Post Number: 163 Registered: 09-2004 |
I agree the 1001 building is great for them now, then persue the monroe block at a later date. Monroe and Woodward block should have iconic towers for Quicken Loans Headquarters and for others who follow. | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 342 Registered: 10-2003 |
rehab the lafayette... that could fit at least 1,000 | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 1321 Registered: 03-2006 |
or the David Whitney. We need to get the 1,500 downtown more then anything else. | ||
Border5150 Member Username: Border5150 Post Number: 164 Registered: 03-2004 |
BUILD THAT SCHITT UP... | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 496 Registered: 09-2004 |
I agree, either 1001, the Lafayette, or David Whitney. If I worked for Quicken, I'd be proud to work in any of those buildings, and that would help revitalize any of those three shuttered structures which could be of so much benefit if they were occupied! | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4373 Registered: 02-2005 |
Of the three the city is offering, the Monroe Block should be the highest priority. There's a missing piece in an otherwise beautiful public square, so something ought to be built there ASAP. | ||
Gthomas Member Username: Gthomas Post Number: 164 Registered: 09-2004 |
I agree Border5150..... | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 1339 Registered: 11-2003 |
I disagree, Buster. We should, if at all possible, fill the stuff we have before we build new. Otherwise, we're going to trade one busted tooth for another one. "If At All Possible" assumes there are buildings that fit their needs. I think there are, and at a handsome price. Just need to get a little creative. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 1323 Registered: 03-2006 |
There is a big hole were Cadillac Centre was going. I wish there was a building there as much as anybody. However I think getting people to work downtown is the first big step. They can always build when the time is right. There are to many buildings available now. We have plenty of buildings, we need PEOPLE!!! | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 497 Registered: 09-2004 |
DigitalVision, I think we're saying the same thing... yes? Fill empty buildings we already have before building new? Preserve historic structures if they can be adaptively reused? | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 167 Registered: 04-2007 |
Lets bring Quicken Loans in with open arms! Actually, Detroit and Michigan for that matter need to do this with all companies. I'm sure Detroit has a few nice locations for a bank or two or five. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6097 Registered: 08-2004 |
Jerry I always thought that 1001 Woodward would have been a great location for the local HQ for Bank of America (after all the building was a former bank HQ). But with the financial crisis right now, I doubt they'll be leaving Standard Federal's former Big Beaver Troy HQ anytime soon. | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 1340 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think I meant Mackinaw, Buster. Damn posting at work and not having much time to double-check work! Although I agree that filling that Monroe Block in should be a priority, we need to use what we have first if possible. My gut seriously doubts a rehab from Quicken, though - it'd be pretty pathetic as they've leveled the Statler site, and then if they level the Lafayette site, in "hopes" of attracting one business that keeps scaling back it's plans. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1241 Registered: 10-2003 |
"I disagree, Buster. We should, if at all possible, fill the stuff we have before we build new. Otherwise, we're going to trade one busted tooth for another one." Wrong digital. Businesses want optimum facilities to work in. If we want $$$ downtown, you need new Class A (or whatever it is called) space. That brings bodies, $$, demand...and then suddenly someone is willing to use the sub-par space in the old buildings because their is action downtown. You need the chicken to get the egg | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 1327 Registered: 01-2005 |
As I and some others predicted when the Quicken deal was announced over a year ago, there was not one chance in 10,000,000 that Quicken would ever build in Detroit. The odds are now up to 1 in 20,000,000. (Why would he build at Cadillac Centre when he could still build at the Statler site, for example?) I doubt that Quicken will even rent space for a HQ. Remember, Gilbert wanted to kick-start the development of the city - a worthy but naive goal - but he must realize at this point that it's a pie-in-the-sky dream. Mustn't he? | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 1342 Registered: 11-2003 |
I understand what you're saying... and agree that top-notch space is required. HOWEVER, I'd make the argument (and this is incomprehensible possibly to those who've never lived or reported to work in a true urban center outside of the region) just because a building is older does not mean it cannot be "A" space. There is no reason that the Lafayette, 1001, or any of those buildings could not be renovated (assuming there's the budget) to the right level (1001 much more quickly - last I knew it was bare floors on many levels). | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4069 Registered: 10-2003 |
3rdworld, I guess it was naive, then, that Compuware wanted to move downtown, right? I wouldn't be discouraging anyone from wanting to take a chance. BTW, I happen to agree with Jackson, though. At some point, you can't have one company squatting on development rights of three major downtown parcels, regardless of who is or isn't looking at them. I'm also glad Jackson didn't give into the developers of Cadillac Centre who offered to build a glorified parking garage at the Monroe Block. He was right to tell them to eff off. | ||
Detx Member Username: Detx Post Number: 250 Registered: 07-2007 |
3rd, are you saying that Gilbert getting his HQ downtown is pie-in-the-sky or kick starting downtown Detroit is pie-in-the-sky? | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4374 Registered: 02-2005 |
DV-- I agree with you too. Preserving/filling an endangered building is more efficient and simply the right thing to do. I just think they will want to build new, and that among the three city owned parcels being discussed, the Monroe Block would be the nicest to see filled. I agree that Jackson is managing this well, actually. On one hand he feels the pressure to make a deal happen and get more downtown workers ASAP; on the other hand, he knows that corporations aren't exactly lining up and if he's too pushy and loses QL, we're screwed for the foreseeable future when it comes to downtown growth. I don't envy his position. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6098 Registered: 08-2004 |
At this point I feel less comfortable with Dan Gilbert and his hedging, than I do about Matt Cullen, his development guru, whom I have great respect for. My gut feeling is that if Gilbert were just playing games, then Cullen wouldn't be wasting his time working for the man. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4074 Registered: 10-2003 |
That doesn't make any sense. If you don't think Cullen is wasting his time, then you'd also have to believe that Gilbert is on board and leading. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6100 Registered: 08-2004 |
No, you're just over analyzing... I know someone who went to school with Gilbert and doesn't like him. So I've heard some less than stellar anecdotes... but Cullen I've only heard good things of. And no I won't spill... | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1690 Registered: 05-2005 |
i like the detroitist's take on the situation http://detroitist.blogspot.com / quote: | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 615 Registered: 02-2004 |
My arms are still open for Quicken, but they're getting tired as hell. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 1329 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lmich: I wasn't talking about Compuware. Apples and Oranges. I doubt that Q is involved any longer in the Statler/Hudson sites. It's contract with the DDA has expired by the passage of time and I am told it has not been modified or extended. (I wouldn't trust George Jackson to tell me the correct time. DTE must be overjoyed it got rid of him so gracefully.) Gistok: Matt Cullen went to work for Gilbert last May or June, just before the decision was made internally NOT to build in Detroit. My initial view was that he was going to arrange a deal where Q would take over one of the Ren Cen towers, but of course I was off base on that. Gilbert has extensive real estate interests (or, he used to) including developments and investments in income properties in other states. That's what Cullen is involved in I'm told. Could it be that Cullen's job at GM had run its course? His wife works for Ilitch and he's reputed to be in development deals w/ Ilitch's top real estate advisor. There's a close relationship between Gilbert and Ilitch. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6101 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks 3WC, it was that close relationship between Ilitch and Gilbert, as well as having the spouses working for their respestive bosses... that I was hoping that something was going to happen at the Statler and Tuller/UA site. The constant goings on at the United Artists still has me scratching my head at what Ilitch's plans are for that complex. |
