Rendering of the new Google offices next to Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
While cities around the nation await word on whether they’ve won the rose to become the next Amazon hub, Detroit is celebrating Google’s announcement this week that it is moving its Michigan offices from suburban Birmingham to Detroit. The company’s new 100-person, 30,000-square foot office is slated to open in the spring next to Little Caesars Arena at 52 East Henry St.
“Google has officially signed a lease for new office space on East Henry Street alongside the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. The city of Detroit has a rich history of culture and innovation, and we’re excited to be a part of its world class talent and world class companies,” Google’s Birmingham co-site leads Danielle Russell and Guy Schueller said in a statement to Venues Today. “Our new space will not only provide room for future growth, but will also give us the opportunity to contribute to the dynamic economic and community activity happening in Detroit.”
The move is part of an ongoing effort led by Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert to revive the city’s downtown as part of the tech hub known as the Madison Block, which already includes businesses such as the Bizdom start-up incubator, Detroit Labs, Avalon Films and the architecture firm Neumann/Smith.
Renderings of the new site show the Mountain View, Calif.-based company’s signature colorful name splashed across the top of the building, with the lights of Little Caesars Arena shining in the background. The placement will give the leading search engine prime visibility for concertgoers as well as Red Wings and Pistons fans attending events at the gleaming new $829-million, 19,000-capacity building that effectively replaced both the Joe Louis Arena and the suburban Palace at Auburn Hills when it opened in early September.
“This exciting move by Google is another clear sign that, in The District Detroit, we’re building one of the best and most exciting places to live, work and play in the entire region,” said Christopher Ilitch, President/CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc. in a statement. “Google joins other world-class organizations like the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, Olympia Entertainment, 313 Presents, the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University, Little Caesars Pizza and others who are bringing new development, jobs and innovation to this critical area in our community. We welcome Google as the first of many new tenants expected to join The District Detroit in office, retail and residential developments.”
The 100-plus employees from Birmingham who focus on automotive ads and technical support will make the move downtown after the suburban office closes in spring 2018.