Hudson’s Detroit

Long before suburban malls redefined retail, Hudson’s stood as a towering symbol of Detroit’s industrial success. Its decline mirrored the city’s own economic struggles, culminating in the 1998 demolition of the landmark. The resulting vacancy left a deep void, both literally and figuratively, that would take more than 20 years to fill.

Today, that site features a 49-story, 685-foot skyscraper, the second-tallest building in Detroit, and the first skyscraper over 500 feet built in the city during the 21st century. The complex includes high-rise residences and a five-star hotel, while an adjacent 12-story building houses commercial offices, retail space, an event hall, and a conference center. The project also serves as the new global headquarters for General Motors.

DBM Vircon’s Scope of Work:

DBM Vircon worked with the general contractor, Barton Malow, to provide comprehensive 3D reinforced concrete detailing and modeling 7,279 tons of rebar that included deep foundations, caissons, columns, beams, shear walls, and both post-tensioned and reinforced concrete slabs. At the project’s peak, up to 30 professionals across DBM Vircon’s US and India offices collaborated to ensure seamless delivery.

To manage the fast-paced nature of this project, DBM Vircon utilized Tekla Structures for all modeling. Recognizing the project’s steep technical demands, the team developed custom API tools, macros, and templates to expedite the modeling process and ensure precision. 

Throughout the construction phase, the team managed 1,082 drawings, multiple bulletins, RFIs, sketches, and MEP sleeve opening documents to avoid disrupting the construction schedule. Trimble Connect was critical to facilitating project collaboration and management.

Project Highlights & Challenges:

The project was defined by its immense scale, tight urban location, and the complexities of building in a historic downtown area.

• Unforeseen Site Conditions: While the department store was imploded in 1998, its multi-level subterranean footprint remained, and served as the foundation for the new development. Numerous unanticipated conditions in the basement levels required significant rework. Although the construction team had initially hoped to preserve and utilize existing walls, the findings necessitated extensive demolition, moving of infrastructure, and structural modifications to ensure the site was suitable for the new development.
• Innovation & Collaboration: A key highlight was the technical synergies between DBM Vircon and Barton Malow. As the contractor was also highly proficient in Tekla Structures, the two teams engaged in a productive exchange of ideas, sharing workflows to improve 3D modeling efficiency — a collaboration that DBM Vircon has since applied to many subsequent projects.
• Resilience: The project was delivered despite significant scheduling pressures and the challenges of operating through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Environmental Stewardship: The successful deployment of 3D modeling and API-driven automation helped reduce site wastage and optimize material usage, underscoring the sustainability and efficiency benefits of digital engineering on mega-scale developments.

Spanning more than 1.5 million gross square feet, Hudson’s Detroit promises to be a catalyst for downtown Detroit’s revitalization, adding residents, commerce, and public programming to the city’s cultural center.