Tag Archives: GM Renaissance Center

Let’s Party! Celebrate the Holidays at the GMRENCEN

Ready or not, the holidays are here! Our three unique restaurants located in the GMRENCEN are already starting to cook up something wonderful for the holidays. From holiday catering, work parties or private dinners with loved ones, there’s something everyone can enjoy this holiday season on the Detroit Riverfront. Our special guide is here to help you forget about the hassle and focus on the fun this holiday season.

Andiamo:

Treat your group to authentic Italian cuisine this holiday season. Andiamo’s menu can be customized to fit any holiday celebration, from deluxe box lunches and gourmet party platers to intimate event catering. Enjoy an extensive selection of seasonal Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wines with five-star service and beautiful ambiance. Andiamo knows the holidays are hectic, so let the Andiamo family take care of you this season with their catering offer. Click here to learn more about events and catering or call (313) 567-6700.

Highlands Detroit:

Let’s take your holiday party to new heights! It doesn’t get more impressive than the view from 71 floors atop Detroit’s tallest building. Highlands Detroit’s private dining area provides stunning views of the Detroit Riverfront, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar. With various options for all party sizes, your guests can enjoy a variety of fixed-price event menus. The more casual side of the restaurant, Hearth 71, can also be rented out and booked to accommodate a larger group of guests. To book private dining options, click here.

Joe Muer Seafood:

Wow your guests by choosing a restaurant with a tradition of elegance. At Joe Muer Seafood, your guests will enjoy the freshest seasonal catch and spectacular views of the riverfront from The Best Seafood Restaurant in Michigan. Their private dining space offers experiences for your next intimate gathering or holiday celebration for up to 175 people. If you’re looking for a unique show stopping experience, consider dining in the kitchen at “Joe’s Table” with 10 of your culinary connoisseurs to watch the master chefs at work. Click here to book your next party or call (313) 567-6837.

Let’s leave the cooking to the professionals by gifting ourselves a holiday experience at one of the three restaurants in the GMRENCEN. Let us know how you celebrate the holidays in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Falling in Love with the Detroit Riverfront

The dog days of summer have officially ended and now it’s time for fall in the Motor City. The change in weather doesn’t have to stop your fun-filled adventures. We created a guide to help you enjoy the new season on the Detroit Riverfront.

Fall for the Riverfront View:

Whether you’re running joyfully into the change of season or taking a slow stroll into fall, the Detroit Riverfront views are ready for you to explore. Take a walk along the Dequindre Cut Greenway paths, enjoy Belle Isle’s nature trails or take the family on an adventure down the Detroit Riverwalk, the #1 Riverwalk in the USA, to Robert C. Valade Park for fun-filled playgrounds.

If you want to cover a lot of area, you can always park at the GMRENCEN and grab a MOGO bike to breeze around the city with ease.

Fall Food and Cocktails:

The change of season means delicious seasonal cocktails and food. Whether this is your first time or your hundredth time tasting one of the three award-winning restaurants at the GMRENCEN, their new menu items and autumnal views are the perfect addition to any trip to the Riverfront.

Andiamo offers an extensive selection of seasonal Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine. Joe Muer Seafood serves the freshest seasonal catch and impeccable service with its riverfront view. Enjoy Highlands Detroit with its crisp 71st-floor view of the Detroit Riverfront, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar.

Fall Fun on the Riverfront:

The Detroit Riverfront and nearby areas/neighborhoods are full of fun events year-round, but autumn offers magic for people of all ages. Eastern Market is a Detroit staple with four primary markets on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday filled with fall food, products and experiences. If you’re looking for a way to get some fresh air with your furry friend, join the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy guided Pack Walk along the Detroit Riverfront.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership brings nostalgic fall fun with their Cider in the City events during October at Beacon Park. Enjoy crafts, pumpkin picking, hayrides and, of course, donuts and cider!

It’s time to start falling in love with the new season in Detroit. Let us know how you celebrate autumn in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

How to Spend July on the Detroit Riverfront

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore the beautiful Detroit Riverfront! To skip the hassle and focus on the fun, we’ve curated the perfect guide to highlight the hottest happenings in July.

Where to Eat

The breathtaking views and delicious cuisine from one of the three award-winning restaurants at the GMRENCEN is the perfect addition to any trip to the Riverfront. Andiamo offers an extensive selection of Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine, and Highlands Detroit provides stunning views of the Detroit Riverfront from the 71st floor, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar. If you’re facing a serious seafood craving, head to the #1 Seafood Restaurant in Michigan, Joe Muer Seafood, for the freshest catch and even better views of the river.

What to do on the Riverfront with Kids

Enjoy Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront with celebrity guest readings, interactive family entertainment, a healthy snack and a free book to take home provided by General Motors. This event occurs every week on Thursday and Friday until Aug 12, 2022.

What to do on the Riverfront to Stay Active

If you want to stay active this summer, the Detroit Riverfront has multiple opportunities to get moving while enjoying a scenic view.

Expand your knowledge of Detroit while getting your steps in by signing up for the Dequindre Cut Walking Tours with the City Institute. Stroll along the Dequindre Cut as you learn about the greenway’s past and present.

After your walking tour, relax with Yoga on the Riverfront. Enjoy a free yoga class while looking at the stunning view of the Detroit River. Yoga is held Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. in Milliken State Park.

What to do on the Riverfront to Experience Local Artists

Did you know you can bike from the Detroit Riverfront straight into the heart of Eastern Market by cruising down the Dequindre Cut?

Eastern Market is a can’t-miss Detroit experience for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a premium market with fresh produce, florals, local artists, unique cuisine and so much more from a local favorite. Markets are open weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Once you grab yourself lunch from Eastern Market head to the Live Music Summer Series with D. Cipher on the Dequindre Cut to watch metro Detroit’s most talented entertainers. Enjoy this all month long with free weekly performances and a curated lineup.

Where to Park

The GMRENCEN offers a variety of parking options located right on the Riverfront and within walking distance to Detroit’s hottest happenings. Click here to check our parking options and choose what’s best for you and your crew.

If you are heading to a concert in the city, check out the multiple show shuttles Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood are offering for select shows.

There are no dog days of summer with all the exciting happenings in the Motor City! Let us know how you celebrate summer in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Experience the Ford Fireworks at the GMRENCEN

The Ford Fireworks are back on the Detroit Riverfront! Let’s upgrade your fireworks-watching experience at the GMRENCEN. With multiple incredible restaurants that offer some of the best views in the city, the GMRENCEN is the perfect destination to watch the show.

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront

Create memories the whole family can enjoy at Andiamo! Sit back and indulge in a five-course meal with live entertainment while watching the Ford Fireworks over the beautiful riverfront.

Ticket prices for adults are $150, children ages nine to 11 are $75 and children under nine are $50. Alcohol is not included. The package also includes a complimentary parking pass. Book your reservation by calling (313) 567-6700.

Joe Muer Seafood 

What better way to experience this classic Detroit tradition than with the best seafood in Metro Detroit at Joe Muer! Enjoy an exquisite five-course dinner while taking in the views of the Ford Fireworks.

Tickets start at $195 and include a five-course dinner, as well as one parking pass. Alcohol is not included and pre-payment is required. Book your reservation by calling (313) 567-7320.

Highlands Detroit

Are you looking for a fireworks view from up in the clouds? Book your fireworks experience at Highlands Detroit for a special four-course menu while watching the Ford Fireworks 71 stories up in the sky. Continue the high-rise experience on the 72nd floor to enjoy drinks and small bites.

Tickets are $150 per person. Click here to make a reservation.

The GMRENCEN offers unique packages and experiences to create a dazzling night for you and your loved ones. Let us know how you’re celebrating the return of the Ford Fireworks. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The GMRENCEN’s Winter Beauty

Detroit winters may be cold, but they’re also undeniably beautiful.

Between the icy Detroit River, snow-capped ground and breathtaking sunrises, winter in Detroit is one of the best times to experience the Motor City. Below we’ve compiled some of the winter beauty of the #GMRENCEN through our Your Photo Here Contest.

Photo by Jason Clemens

Photo by Ray Akey

Photo by Matthew Garin

Photo by Suzann Braun

Photo by Wade Bryant

Photo by Ray Akey

Photo by Jason Clemens

Photo by Suzann Braun

Photo by Evans Tasiopoulos

It may be cold outside, but winter in Detroit is nothing to miss. If you have a winter photo to share, tag us on Instagram or use #GMRENCEN for a chance to be featured on our social pages.

Highlands: A True Detroit Dining Experience

Towering 71 and 72 floors above the city, Highlands Detroit is now taking reservations for a truly unique dining experience in the sky.

From the non-traditional riff on the classic steakhouse at Highlands, to a casual-cool eatery at Hearth71, to the buzzy, spirited High Bar, you’ll experience high quality high above the city at Highlands Detroit.

The views are worthy of date night, after-work cocktails, pre-game shenanigans or a “just because” outing.

Food

Say cheese! Sample it all with the Artisan Cheese Board, which offers the perfect amount of variety for any palate.

Indulge in savory Bacon-Wrapped Medjool Dates, the perfect start to any meal.

Start out strong at Hearth 71 with a classic app like the Italian Prosciutto and Burrata Board, complete with shaved prosciutto, creamy burrata and herbed pine nut relish.

Moving on up to the main course. After all, Highlands is Detroit’s premier steakhouse in the sky.

Feeling saucy? Highlands Detroit may be a steakhouse, but the seafood is truly mouthwatering.

There’s nothing like a bowl full of perfectly cooked mussels. Yum!

Feed your soul with an order of Highlands’ savory Mushroom Bucatini. Take it up a notch and pair your dish with a light white wine.

Why choose between land and lake? A little surf, a little turf and a whole lotta wonderful.

End on a sweet note with an order of Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies topped with sea salt and served with a Guernsey Farms Milkshake. Remember, the calories don’t count 71 floors up.

Drinks

Experience the cocktail as an art form at High Bar.

Raise your glass, whether it’s vodka, wine or a handcrafted Whiskey Sour.

The Chef’s robust whiskey collection.

Racks on racks of aged wine.

Whether you have a party of one or four, reserve your table today.

Highlands Detroit is ready for you.

Whether you’re local or just passing through, Highlands Detroit welcomes you to experience top of the tower dining at its finest. Reserve your table today.

Artist Spotlight: Chris Burton

The GMRENCEN is dedicated to the safety of our tenants and visitors. In compliance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services emergency order, new procedures and precautions are now in place at the GMRENCEN. Learn more about our new guidelines here.

Local photographer Chris Burton has seen Detroit’s true colors. After moving back to the city from a two-year stint in Dallas, he’s returned with a new goal: showcase Detroit as a beautiful space with cool things to see and do.

In October 2019, Chris took over the GMRENCEN Instagram account to show you Detroit from his perspective.

Here is everything you need to know about Chris and his takeover.

He’s rediscovering the city through photography.

It all started when he moved back. Chris picked his camera up after returning to the city because he was overtaken by all the architecture and art in Detroit.

Though he had a positive first impression of the Motor City, he became more familiar with it through his photography. He spent his nights walking around with his camera to capture the sights that caught his eye.

He’s self-taught.

From first picking up a camera in high school to developing music videos to booking his weekends full of wedding and real estate shoots, his photography encompasses a wide-range of purpose and style.

But for Chris, photography was a self-taught skill. Though he’s only been shooting for about two years now, his work has grown tremendously thanks to his late-night walks trying new things and honing his craft.

He sees Detroit in a positive light.

As he travels, Chris enjoys sharing the beauty he experiences with his audience. Detroit is no exception.

“I personally love Detroit, but I think people’s first opinion of Detroit tends to be negative,” said Chris. “I’d love to change that.”

With his audience reaching across the states, he can introduce his followers to a city they have only heard about. Luckily for Detroit, he has plenty of good things to share.

He thinks Detroit is the most exciting city.

Chris’s work will always showcase something new. Whether it’s a bird’s-eye view of the city’s skyline or a snapshot of dinner and drinks at the hottest restaurant in town, he wants to share his experiences with you.

“I think Detroit is the most exciting city,” he said. “It seems every month, something new is opening.”

He loves a place with a view.

As a photographer, Chris loves any place that allows him to experience cool views, and there’s something special about being high above the city. According to Chris, you can get such a different perspective from up high.

“I love the GMRENCEN”, Chris said. “Volt in the Detroit Marriott is one of the coolest, most lowkey places in Detroit. It’s one of the city’s best kept secrets.”

He also enjoys the exclusivity of some of the city’s newer hot spots, such as the Monarch Club, Little Caesars Arena and Highlands Detroit.

He appreciates the details.

Chris’s photography is based off capturing the intricate details of a city that might otherwise go unnoticed. With an appreciation for the history and culture behind the city’s architecture, he wants to make people aware, seeing the same things they’ve seen before but in a new perspective.

“Detroit has some amazing architecture, but often times, people can walk by some of those finer details without even noticing,” he said. “I want to make people see a photograph of something they’ve seen before, but this time realizing just how cool the details behind it are.”

He is inspired.

For Chris, the whole process is inspiring. His journey of exploring different parts of the city always takes him somewhere new, leading him to create art from his camera.

“I’m trying to help people see their own backyard in a different light,” he said. “I’d love for them to see things in a different way and truly appreciate what they’re walking by.”

He believes in working outside of your comfort zone.

“Take something you’re afraid to do and do it,” said Chris. “Be confident in yourself. If you put in the work, there’s a lot more you can accomplish.”

Chris Burton lives in Detroit. Follow him on Instagram or check out his online portfolio to see more of his work.

#GMRENCEN in the Fall

The dog days of summer have officially ended and now it’s time for fall. As the weather cools, the leaves fall and the days shorten, be sure to look around you and enjoy the beautiful colors of a Detroit autumn.

There are many breathtaking photos of the GMRENCEN and fall foliage, but here are some of our favorites.

Photo by Tom Hughes

Photo by Linda Moss

Photo by Jason Clemens

Photo by David Saliba

Photo by Steven Samolinski

Photo by Mark McClelland

Photo by Wade Bryant

Photo by Christopher Hollis

Photo by Suzann Braun

There’s certainly more to come as the colors continue to change around the city! Which of these is your favorite fall photo?

15 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Detroit Fist

The Joe Louis Fist serves as an iconic Detroit landmark near Hart Plaza on Jefferson Avenue, right across the street from the GMRENCEN. You’ve drove past it, taken photos in front of it and probably wondered about it. So here are some fun facts you may not know about the city staple.

1. 1. The statue was completed by sculptor Robert Graham in 1986, nine years after the opening party for the GM Renaissance Center.
  2. Graham also sculpted the statue of President Roosevelt at the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington D.C.
  3. The statue pays tribute to famed boxer Joe Louis, who defeated German boxer Max Schmeling in 1938.
  4. Louis’ win was considered an American win during World War II.
  5. The Joe Louis Fist was a gift from Sports Illustrated Magazine, dedicated on Oct. 16, 1986.
  6. At the time, it cost $350,000 to create.
  7. Despite common belief, the monument was not brought to Detroit for Joe Louis’ death, but for the Detroit Institute of Art’s centennial anniversary.
  8. The initial arm was modeled in clay at 14 inches in length.
  9. Its structure is made of bronze and painted steel.
  10. The statue weighs 8,000 pounds (about four tons).
  11. It’s 24 feet long and can be seen from Canada.
  12. When the arm was unveiled, not everyone was pleased—there is still a controversy surrounding the statue.
  13. In response to the monument, sculptor Ed Hamilton created another statue of Joe Louis, which can be found in Cobo Center.
  14. To this day, we don’t know Graham’s exact intentions, as he worked in almost complete secrecy while creating the statue in California.
  15. What we do know is the Joe Louis Fist is abstract so that it may be seen as a symbol of the city. The exact symbol, however, is unknown, allowing people to draw their own conclusions.
  What does the Detroit fist mean to you? Let us know in the comments.

A New Perspective with Detroit Artist James Gates

James Gates is no stranger to Detroit. In fact, he spends most of his time here, capturing familiar sights from different perspectives

He entered the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here contest, a contest where local photographers submitted their best shots of the GMRENCEN for the chance to have the photo featured inside the building. It’s where we were first introduced to his work. You can view Gates’ photo on Level 2 in Tower 200. In August 2019, he took over the GMRENCEN Instagram account showcasing Detroit through his lenses.

What motivates you to shoot?

I started photography for the stress relief. I work in IT, and after a particularly grueling day I like to walk around with my camera to clear my head. During the day, people are just going and going constantly. With photography, I can take my time to get the effect I want to get. It requires patience and I like that.

What’s a typical photography outing like?

I always start and end at the GM Wintergarden, right on Atwater. From there I take a long walk along the Riverfront. It’s my favorite place in Detroit. I don’t necessarily know what I’m going to shoot, but I feel more relaxed when I come back.

How long have you been photographing?

I got into photography in the fall of 2014, and 2015 was a learning year, practicing long exposure and other types of shots. It started out inconsistent, but then I got hooked.

What was it like winning the GMRENCEN’s Your Photo Here Contest and being featured in the building?

It’s still such an honor. I had only been into photography for about a year and a half when I took that shot. My friend loved it so much and encouraged me share it. A little while later, the Your Photo Here Contest began, so I submitted my shot. It was a strange coincidence.

That photo is one of the first ones I took, and it’s still there.

What have you learned since then?

I feel it’s important for me to keep up with the times and continue learning new camera settings. I’m just constantly learning from other Detroit photographers.

Always look for a unique angle because you don’t want to be like everybody else.

Do you ever change up your style?

I’m always learning new ways to do things, but I tend to stick to one type at a time. I choose a technique and work on mastering it before jumping to the next thing. Right now, I’m trying to work filters into my photography. I’ll be at that for a while.

What challenges do you face with your photography?

One challenge that affects me is that I’m legally blind. This doesn’t really hinder my work, but it can be frustrating. Sometimes when I’m reviewing my work after a photoshoot, I’ll notice blemishes in my shots that I couldn’t see out in the field. Although this isn’t a huge issue with architectural photography, it would make portrait and other photography more difficult.

What did you want people to take away from your Instagram takeover?

I was born and raised in Detroit, so I have 30 plus years of good memories here, especially of the GMRENCEN. I want people to know I love Detroit and I hope that shows in my photos.

What did you want to convey with your GMRENCEN August takeover?

I wanted to share some of the photos I’ve taken on my walks, with a focus on the GMRENCEN and the Riverfront. It captured the authentic Detroit, complete with Cullen Plaza tulips, Milliken State Park Lighthouse and city sunsets.

James Gates lives in Detroit and is a legally blind photographer. See his work on his Instagram at @james.m.gates or check out his online portfolio at jgatesphotography.com.

GMRENCEN
400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2500, Detroit, MI 48243
313.567.3126