Devan Anderson, AIA, an associate principal at Quinn Evans and president of Preservation Detroit, was interviewed for the article “A Dark Age for the Renaissance Center” in the latest issue of MAS Context.

The piece explores the history and planned redevelopment of the Renaissance Center, a seven-tower skyscraper complex in Detroit dating to the 1970s. General Motors, the complex’s owner and primary tenant, is moving its headquarters to a new location; the company has announced redevelopment plans that include demolishing two of the towers and the connecting podium.  

Devan opposes the proposed demolition, citing the complex’s iconic presence on the Detroit skyline and its potential for conversion to housing. After all, as he points out, it wasn’t long ago that many people thought Michigan Central Station couldn’t be saved.  

This development in particular is leveraging tons of public funding for demolition. Why not use them toward rehabilitation?

DEVAN ANDERSON, AIA

Devan argues the Renaissance Center should be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, which would raise awareness of the complex’s historic significance and unlock potential funding through state and federal historic tax credits.  

Read the full piece here.