Marriot Renaissance Center
Detroit, USA

HEIGHT: 221m/726 feet
FLOORS: 73 floors
COMPLETION: 1977
ARCHITECT: John Portman Associates

This urban redevelopment project, initiated by Henry Ford II and fifty-one corporations which made up the Renaissance Center partnership, is located a few blocks from the center of downtown Detroit and occupies thirty-two acres of riverfront property. Raised on a podium four stories above street level, the complex is comprised of one 73-story cylindrical hotel (746 feet high) and four 39-story octagonal office buildings. The complex includes a large hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, and convention facilities.

Almost from its beginning the complex was controversial. Its symbolism (in its name) was questioned; it was seen as a suburban enclave amid the city of Detroit; thus, its ability to revitalize the downtown was questioned. Since the complex is set off from the city and since its tall sleek reflective forms have no contextual relationship with the lower, masonry buildings of its surroundings, it was sometimes viewed as an isolated fortress. This sense of isolation is only augmented by the concrete berms, housing the utilities for the buildings, which surround the structure, acting as a two-story barrier. The interiors were also seen as being theatrical and maze-like.

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7.5/10

Looks nice, but I dont like that strip of different colour on its roof.

i dont quiet get this building.. but i like what im seeing.. 9/10

10/10 This building rules.
But I don't understand this building and the Petro Canada Center in Calgary are about the same height but this one always looks so much taller in pictures.

10/10

A classic building that makes Detroit's skyline amazing.

Still a good building IMO.

7.5/10

The Renaissance center is not just one builing, it is the whole complex of 7 buildings, the 1 tall one, the 4 shorter towers around the tall one and 2 shorter ones to the right in the 2nd pic. The tallest one is a Hotel and the rest of the buildings are all office space.

I gave the building a 10. I love this building as much as I love the Westin Peachtree in Atlanta.
The bad thing about this hotel is when you look out the window...you are looking at a building. That's really sucky. If I ever stay there I want to be on the upper floors where I can actually have a view.

8/10
Quite nice

The building looks really nice, but the design inside is pretty awful. The have tried to do some contruction as of late to make it less confusing and it has helped out a little. But for the pure size of the project.......8/10.

9/10, thought this would be in top 200??? how tall is this building?

massive complex, it aint that bad. 7.5

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Thanks for pointing that out :)

It's unique... I'm too used to it... if I wasn't familiar with it, or if it wasn't across the river, I'd give it a 9.5
But... I'll give it a 7.5 IMO/

7 for me. . . .i like that glare in the second pic:cool:

this building looks just awsome in the skyline.... 9/10

7.5/19 - The large cylinder and the 4 smaller towers are well placed - they relate well to each other, and on the whole form a unified composition that's also a study in contrast between curves and angles. The glass curtainwalls dance with the light well, and they do look impressive at night.

However, the cylinder somehow doesn't seem well-proportioned - just like the Westin, it's too bulky. And the little round buildings somehow don't seem to go with the towers they're connected to, thus detracting from the overall composition. The facades could also use a bit more detail. The white lines are at least an attempt to do I]something[/I] about the roofs, though the strip on the cylinder looks a bit out of place where it is.

The landmark for Detroit. The cilinder in the middle is the best thing of the structure.
8.0/10

5 I don't like this complex... it looks very 70's... in a bad way...
And the complex really takes away from the rest of Detroit's skyline... the great 1920's/30's art deco skyscrapers... it's a dull glassy cylinder... with very ugly boxes surrounding it

9/10

Round glass tube....on top of a complex maze of buildings...gets 6.5 from me.

i voted on this a long time ago, and i dint reply, but since i forgot, illl gigive it an 8.5 but i like the westin peachtree alot better because it doesnt have those buildings around it and the glass is better looking

Not as good as Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta.
7/10

hard one. the ensemble looks odd, but the building itself is good 7/10

facade: i like it dark
form: i like circle buildings
points: 8,5

8.5/10 ! :)

nothing interesting, but I give it a 7/10

9/10



The tower alone would receive a 7, but due to the complex it deserves a 9.

Charming and a little weird seventies' futurism, the total composition looks not bad at all.

7/10

10/10

7/10. Fond memories of this building. As a kid this was the one building I drew the most! Don't know why maybe it was easier to draw!!!!:?

9/10

10/10

One of my favs!!!

9/10...that complex rocks!

the hotel's the best part of this complex. every other building in the complex look like batteries (good thing they didn't build more of these short black buildings originally in the plan). i like westin peachtree more though; it got more color to it than this one.

8

portman gives me a headache in this one

by itself i'm a big fan of this building but three major drawbacks

1) before the GM rennovations starting in the early 2000s, the building was a mess of a complex, and horrible to navigate
2) the building is amazingly pedestrian unfriendly, very disconnected from the street (also being fixed by GM)
3) being the only skyscraper on the river leads to some headaches when trying to capture detroit's remaining skyscraper stock

Looks EXACTLY like the Peachtree Plaza...

7/10
It isn't that interesting, but it isn't bad.

5 I don't like this complex... it looks very 70's... in a bad way...
And the complex really takes away from the rest of Detroit's skyline... the great 1920's/30's art deco skyscrapers... it's a dull glassy cylinder... with very ugly boxes surrounding it


how can "it looks very 70's"...... be in a good way???


well, i guess its better than "it looks very 80's" , that building would suck ass

Looks EXACTLY like the Peachtree Plaza...

Chad,

same architect, Bob Portman

I gave it an 8. The building duznt look great in pictures and alot of people that I know dont really like it but in person the complex is beautiful.

8/10

2/10

Unfortunately this is the skyscraper I grew up with. Somehow I still became obsessed with them, dont ask me how (must have been the other buildings around). What little value it has is due to the decent extrerior, but the huddled masses of boring, ugly towers really kills the effect of the cylinder center. I hate the interior, because no one was ever there, kinda sterile in a highly depressing way, like the whole downtown was in the 80s and 90s (thats changing now!). Not very original exterior, but the interior was original, although I never cared much for it. One thing that is never mentioned is why Ford built the "air conditioning" plant seperating the building from the street. There used to be 50 foot "walls" around the building. Thankfully GM tore them down recently. Most people in the area that I know believe that the airconditioning plant was there to be a wall against rioters, a safety haven for suburban whites, after the huge riot in '67. I think that even if that is not the case, this building not only did not inspire a renaissance, it surely made the problem a whole lot worse. One of the worst buildings in the world, IMO.

i find it odd how portman went crazy with glass on the outside, but left a lot of cement exposed on the inside, that wild and crazy guy

To me this building just makes Detroit look more pathetic
It sticks out like a sore thumb seeming to say: "HA -- you thought you could make this city better with me, but I will prove otherwise."

Too big, too bulky, and just too much space for the city which in my opinion the complex did just the opposite of its intention, it ended up supressing the downtown development for the next 15 years by introducing too much office space

3/10

This complex looks very 70ish? Well...uhh...perhaps because it was built in the seventies? What is it suposed to do, automatically change itself to coincide with each passing decade? I think not. However, being an architect, I must give the utmost respect to John Portman for designing this building. This building is the very reason I became an architect. Looking about the soaring towers of the RenCen is a beautiful sight to behold. The RenCen has been beautiful from day one. From how it seems to change positions once viewing it from a different angle, to the bright reflection the 748ft Marriot hotel gives off, dominating the Detroit skyline, and it will remain beautiful. GM has done an excellent job with renovating, and adding on to this facility (GM car display, WinterGarden, glass air-suspended circular walkway, and dozens of other upcoming projects that are underway in the RenCen. The Marriot hotel resembles the Westin in Atlanta, but is taller and a hell of a lot better looking, being surrounded by the other office towers. Without the surrounding office towers, the hotel would look just terrible, (one glass cylinder standing alone), it sticks out like a sore thumb. This complex has added tremendously to Detroit's skyline, and with the addition of the GM Wintergarden, the views of this massive 5.5 million square foot complex are just breathtaking at night, from any view. Contrary to one's stereotypical thoughts/sayings that this building does not meet expectations, or other unpleasant thoughts which may be derived by looking at photos; this is, and will always be one of the best buildings of all time. Check it out in person before writing tasteless reviews based off of photos or rumors. The atmosphere, and overall composition of this complex are second to none. The RenCen RULES!!

I completely, utterly disagree.

Not only that, the Marriott RenCen is an inferior hotel to the Westin Peachtree.

Isn't this Detroits tallest? I like it a lot. 9.

It is pretty good.

8

The Marriot RenCen Hotel is on a whole different level than the Westin in Atlanta. Although I must say it was camparable to the Westin in Atlanta, when it was the Westin Detroit a few years ago, but once GM purchased the complex, things had to be changed for the best. Therefore, the Atlanta Westin will never ever compare to the Marriott Renaissance Center. NEVER!! This Detroit facility is of a much higher caliber.

How can you say that?

Marriott is a mid-level business chain; Westin is modern luxury.

Have you stayed at both?

Marriott is a mid-level business chain, yes. But that's when they build next door to the McDonald's out by the Highway. This is a flagship Marriott hotel.

The design is rather plain - and I prefer the Westin in Atlanta it's more slender and the top is more tasteful. 7/10.

Marriott is a mid-level business chain, yes. But that's when they build next door to the McDonald's out by the Highway. This is a flagship Marriott hotel.


And it's still god-awful. The service is lacking, the decor is 1980s, and it makes me want to puke ;)

I seriously don't like it!! 3/10

8

It's quite an impressive complex. I happen to really like the interior. It's somewhat foreboding but in a good way. Plus, it's the tallest in Michigan and might be for quite some time. Great location on the river and will play a more prominent role in the downtown vibe once the riverfront project is complete. I disagree that it is too bulky- would look weird if it was much thinner.

9/10

4.5/10. Like the Portman sister hotel in Atlanta, the Westin, the Marriott in Detroit stands out. Though it is tall and I like it, those four cluttering boxes keep it from looking like an improvement to the skyline. The Ren Cen is dense, but not in a good way. More low points for being isolated from the rest of DT, as viewed from Windsor, Ontario. But the view from Midtown should make up for it. And why the hell does the RenCen have four different HQs there: General Motors, Renaissance, Marriott, etc.?

5.5

Its bulky and dark appearance on the skyline makes it look a bit cold and 'inhuman'. It's also rather dated in appearance.

I can understand why it's sometimes viewed as an "isolated fortress".

Don't like it, stupid cylinder and boxes. Yakkie 4

8/10

The best thing that Detroit gave to the world, 10.0

9.5 - wow

too simple, but hey, it's shiny:D

7.5/10

nice and shiny 7

Not very good, even for Detroit. I give it a 5/10. :tongue:

The external architecture is great, but the internal is too ugly, 7!

Decent height and design but it always seems a little soulless to me 7/10

8.5/10

A massive complex. I love the round building in the center, but don't like the towers on the corners. 7/10.

8.5/10

like hell yeah! 9/10

6.5/10

The hotel is ok,but I don't like the four buildings close to it.It really looks like a fortress.

One of the most god-awful buildings in the world. There should be a campaign to tear it down considering how ugly it is and how poorly it interacts with the rest of the skyline.

Below 3.0

8.5/10.

9/10

Screams "70s!", but could be worse. 6/10

7/10

Very sleek and glassy tower! 8.5/10

The hotel: 9/10
The office towers: 5/10
Overall: 7/10

9.5/10

looks good to me 8/10

9,5/10

8/10

I've never liked this building. It does indeed look like a fortress, some sort of hostile design. Cladding is not too bad but doesn't help much.
3.

7/10

7/10

9/10

8/10

Pretty nice. Its the iconic building for Detroit.

8/10

7.5/10

8/10

I like it 9.5/10

6.5/10,not one of my favs

8.5/10

I remember seeing this in films and stuff years ago and thought wow. These days it is starting to look dated 7/10

7.5/10

8.5/10

8/10.

7/10 Forgettable. Mass does not equal greatness. :ohno:

5,5/10

8/10. Exterior rates a 7, interior rates a 10. It's big and bulky and stands alone a bit too much compared to the rest of the Detroit skyline. I love the interior, though, with its 70's Logan's Run space pod balconies and concrete curves. Also, GM has done a great job with recent improvements, tearing down the fortress-like berm in the front and opening it up to the street.

Fantasic

7/10

8/10

9/10

7/10
Looks good

really great tower: 9/10

9.

8/10.

Massive building with a funky design. Very 70's (80's) like a few batteries. Looks great imo, unique and truly fits into Detroit. 9.5/10

It looks nice in Detroit..but it wouldn't in any other part of the world.. 8.5/10

8/10

8/10

9/10

7.5/10

I like the glass on these buildings, it makes it look sleek and new.

9/10

9/10.

8/10 unique

6/10

7/10 Cool.

8/10

The tower in the middle looks like a cigar to me. A 5/10.

8.5/10

8/10

9,5/10

7/10

I like how it is but the colour is really ugly

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http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2799/6499053996mv6eqxdetroitjq4.jpg 8/10 romanpaucin

8/10 this complex makes Detroit

9.5/10

7,5

Cooooll!!

10/10

8/10 - this made detroit's skyline.

8/10

10.0 favorite building of all time. I think the complex is bigger than NYC's rockefeller center

4/10

:okay: 9/10

9/10

5/10

9/10

3,5/10

ive seen this silhouette in detroit's skyline in eminem's 8mm video and often wondered what it was. now i know :)

it's not bad... looks like it could fit in la defense. 7/10

tall cylinder!

love it! 10

7.0/10 (Ford: 1977-1996)
8.5/10 (GM: 1996-present)

A valiant but failed attempt by Henry Ford II to revitalize Detroit in the 1970s. It probably reduced occupancy rates in some nearby skyscrapers by sucking up existing tenants rather than attracting new ones.

The configuration of the buildings sets it apart as s a very unique example of modern architecture. Some of the criticisms are valid points:
1. It does not fit with the rest of the Detroit skyline from most angles.
2. The shopping mall and dining areas on the first few levels are very confusing. I remember going to check out the "RenCen" for the first time in 1978 and getting very disoriented by the many identical sections under each tower.
3. The fortress-like berms were really ugly (especially in 1978 as the plants in the planters built into the berms had not started growing yet).

Overall though, the clean exterior design remains impressive (I am liking post modernism less and less these days).

GM did a very impressive job in improving the complex a few years ago when they removed the fortress-like berms and added the winter garden and more stores. GM purchased the entire center in 1996 for only $73 million but spent an additional $500 million to make the improvements.

A number of people have commented about the Westin Peachtree (a very similar structure as the RenCen's central tower also designed by John Portman) and how it is better. I can only say that when I first visited Atlanta and saw the Peachtree, my first thought was that it looked "naked" without the four office towers around it!

well done! very impressive 9/10

8/10

8.5/10

7/10

5/10

i like it, the whole complex 8.5

looks alot like atlanta's westin........ 8/10

8.5/10

8/10 :cheers:

9.5 - I love it

9/10

9/

well, it is not my taste, but it is impressive. 7/10

6.5

I love that 'urbanization'
9/10

8/10

8.5/10

GM Headquaters :rock:

Very nice and special complex !

8.0/10

10. Excellent building. Regards.

9/10

9/10

8/10

I love the building itself, but the four other towers around it take away so much. The complex is huge.

8/10

7.0

8/10

1 HUGE complex!:)
8/10

Makes Detroit stand out...9.5

voted 8.5/10

8/10

9/10

Unique. 7.5/10

10/10 looks like its own little city all by its self

9/10

8.5

8/10

8/10

6.5/10

8/10

10/10

8/10

7,5/10

10/10

7/10

9/10

Iconic for detroit!:banana:

10 love it.

8/10

8/10

4.0

8/10

The landmark of Detroit.8/10.:cool:

7.5 :)

7,5/10

6.5/10