Detroit, Michigan, USA

In 1999, General Motors acquired the Renaissance Centre for its new world headquarters. As part of improvements to the development is a plaza linking the city to the riverfront. Two angles, the building and the river, shape the simple design. The primary feature is the 8-foot grade change from the Winter Garden to the Promenade. Divided into two sections, the events plaza has become a venue for outdoor concerts and auto shows, while the terraces provide a shaded seating area with views out to the river.  A programmed fountain animates the promenade. The plaza has quickly become a prized space in Detroit.

Hargreaves Associates project