#261 l Marriot Renaissance Center l DETROIT l 221m l 73fl

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.

[Schroedinger's Cat]

8/10

[yoyo22]

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.

[the pope]

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

[LibertyTwo]

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!!

[DallasTexan]

I completely, utterly disagree.

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

[Jules]

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

[Orfeo]

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.

[DallasTexan]

How can you say that?

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

Have you stayed at both?

[hudkina]

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.

[DamienK]

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

[DallasTexan]

Originally Posted by hudkina

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

[David3820]

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

[Zuelas]

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.

[therock]

9/10

[GetOnDaTrain]

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.?

[Monkey]

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".

[Winus]

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