Cadillac Place
Detroit, Michigan

Designed in 1922 by architect Albert Kahn, the Durant Building – renamed Cadillac Place – is on the register of national historic landmarks and known worldwide for its beauty: arched entrances, vaulted ceilings, elaborate ornamentation.

When General Motors moved its headquarters from Cadillac Place, it was slated to become State of Michigan offices. As general contractor, Barton Malow had to keep costs low while simultaneously updating and preserving the 1.2-million sf jewel.

The building now houses an updated infrastructure with brand new fire protection, central air conditioning, technological and building controls systems. Fiber optics and high-speed wiring were installed and smart chips allow employees to change work locations without trouble. Barton Malow developed procedures for asbestos removal, providing a quality control program for handling related difficulties.

Thanks to the vision – and persistence – of GM and the State of Michigan, the building remains the heart of Detroit’s New Center area, vital to its rebirth: home to 2300 state employees, with new businesses opening in the area. Detroit’s Cadillac Place stands tall on West Grand Boulevard, a majestic reminder of the city’s stately past and a bright promise for the city’s future.