Renaissance Center’s Tower 600 in Detroit Is Headed to Auction: With one of Detroit’s lesser buildings, Tower 600, up for sale, the famous Renaissance Center complex is changing significantly. Located east of the original five buildings, this 21-story structure will be on the Ten-X online auction website from March 17 to March 19 with a starting price of $2.75 million. For this historic site, the sale represents a turning point as it searches a new owner amid more general renovation ambitions for the property.
Tower 600’s History and Its Twin, Tower 500
Built in 1981 apart from the five towers of the original Renaissance Center from the 1970s, Tower 600 and Tower 500 were General Motors owns the older buildings; buildings 600 and 500 are held by other entities. A New Jersey electrical company bought these two towers around late 2023. Friedman Real Estate, Farmington Hills-based, now runs Tower 600; the principal owner is F&F Capital Group of Irvine, California.
Tower 600: Features and Situation Right Now
Tower 600 is just 11% occupied but spanning an amazing 334,000 square feet. Among its handful of occupants are:
- Wonderful Expressions Dental Center
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Canadian Embassy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was a major tenant earlier on, but moved its activities to Tower 500 in early 2024.
Tower 600 has possible uses despite low occupancy because of a recent zoning amendment granted by Detroit. Mixed-use redevelopment—including office buildings, hotels, stores, or homes—is made possible by this shift.
The Auction: What Detroit Needs to Know
Tower 600’s auction choice shows a calculated approach to appeal local as well as national interest in this well-known property. Senior vice president Steven Silverman of Friedman Real Estate claims that internet auctions give more exposure and chances for investments in Detroit’s real estate sector.
With the opening offer at $2.75 million, prospective purchasers may see Tower 600 as a dynamic center for the city, complementing more general renovation initiatives.
The Greater View: Future of Renaissance Center
Tower 600’s auction fits a more general story of the Renaissance Center complex. For the original five buildings, General Motors and Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock real estate company have proposed a $1.6 billion renovation project. Their ambitious vision calls for:
- Demolishing two of the 1970s skyscapers.
- Changing the middle podium to a contemporary construction.
- Turning two still standing skyscrapers into homes.
Still, this strategy depends on getting public aid ranging from $250 million to $350 million, which has not yet come to pass.
Table: Key Details About Tower 600 Auction
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Building Name | Tower 600 |
| Location | Renaissance Center, Detroit |
| Auction Dates | March 17–19, 2024 |
| Starting Bid | $2.75 million |
| Size | 334,000 square feet |
| Occupancy Rate | 11% |
| Current Tenants | Great Expressions Dental Center, Canadian Consulate, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy |
| Potential Uses | Office, hotel, retail, housing |
| Zoning Change Approved | Yes |