GM Unveils Logo on Hudson’s Detroit Building Ahead of Headquarters Move
General Motors has made it official its return to Detroit’s Woodward Avenue is now visible for all to see. Last night, the automaker installed its corporate logo on the top of the new Hudson’s Detroit building, the soon-to-be home of GM’s global headquarters. This illuminated emblem, capable of changing colors, now marks the latest chapter in GM’s 116-year history in the Motor City.
A New Home for GM in Downtown Detroit
The move to Hudson’s Detroit symbolizes GM’s recommitment to its roots. The company confirmed that employees will begin relocating to the new headquarters during the week of January 12, 2026. The Hudson’s Detroit site, located at 1240 Woodward Avenue, sits on the former grounds of the historic J.L. Hudson department store — once the heart of downtown Detroit’s retail and cultural life.
General Motors is the signature tenant of this $1.5 billion mixed-use development, which was spearheaded by Bedrock, the real estate firm founded by billionaire Dan Gilbert. GM signed a long-term, multi-level lease in 2024 for the upper floors and prominent street-level showcase areas of the tower.
The Building and Its Vision
The Hudson’s Detroit development spans approximately 1.5 million square feet, encompassing two major structures: a 12-story office building and a 45-story hotel and residential tower that is set to open in 2027. Together, they form one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment projects in Detroit’s modern era.
The space will feature:
- Modern office suites for corporate tenants
- Ground-floor retail and dining spaces
- A five-star hotel
- Rooftop bar and event venues
- Luxury residential condominiums
- A public plaza and parking facilities
For General Motors, this setting offers a blend of history, innovation, and community engagement — mirroring the company’s evolving mission to shape the future of mobility while staying connected to its hometown heritage.
Honoring the Legacy of Hudson’s
The original Hudson’s department store, built in the late 1800s, was once the second-largest department store in the world and a symbol of Detroit’s golden era. It officially closed in 1983, and after years of standing vacant, the building was demolished in 1998. Now, four decades later, the site has been reimagined as a space for progress and innovation — once again a landmark destination in the heart of Detroit.
To pay tribute to this rich legacy, GM announced that its main lobby at Hudson’s Detroit will be called “Entrance One,” a direct nod to the employee entrance of the original Hudson’s store. Inside, employees and visitors will be greeted by a striking seven-story atrium capped by a skylight, and an art installation inspired by the headlight cover of a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette — blending GM’s automotive heritage with modern design.
A Symbolic Return to Woodward Avenue
GM’s move to Hudson’s Detroit also represents a symbolic homecoming. The automaker’s first-ever headquarters was located just blocks away, at 127–129 Woodward Avenue, where it operated from 1911 to 1923. From there, GM relocated to the grand General Motors Building on West Grand Boulevard, designed by the renowned architect Albert Kahn. That site later became known as the Cadillac Place, a historic Detroit landmark.
In 1996, GM moved its headquarters to the Renaissance Center, a towering riverfront complex that became one of Detroit’s defining architectural icons. Now, nearly 30 years later, GM is once again reshaping its presence in the city — this time in a development that looks forward as much as it honors the past.
Lighting Up Detroit’s Skyline
The installation of the lighted GM corporate logo marks a visual milestone. The logo is mounted on all four sides of the Hudson’s building, ensuring visibility across downtown Detroit. Its ability to change colors allows GM to celebrate key company events, community initiatives, and Detroit milestones — a symbolic gesture connecting the company with the city’s heartbeat.
Photographs from Friday, October 10, 2025, captured the new logo glowing brightly against the night sky — a beacon of the company’s enduring connection to the Motor City and its future as a leader in innovation.
