For decades, the J.L. Hudson Department Store stood as the heart of downtown Detroit—a place where generations of Detroiters gathered to shop and dine. Now, that legacy is being reborn.
Bedrock in October officially unveiled Hudson’s Detroit, marking the completion of a 12-story, 400,000-square-foot office building at 1240 Woodward Ave. in the city’s downtown.
The milestone is the first major phase of a 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use development that will ultimately reshape Detroit’s central business district. Designed by SHoP Architects, the newly finished office component introduces state-of-the-art workplaces, retail, an event venue and a rooftop lounge slated to open in 2026.
The project’s second phase—a 45-story tower at 1208 Woodward Ave.—is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will feature The Detroit EDITION hotel and The Residences at The Detroit EDITION, adding luxury residential, hospitality and dining to the development’s mix.
The interiors of Hudson’s Detroit (Photos courtesy of Bedrock.)
A decade in the making
For Bedrock, the vision behind Hudson’s Detroit is about more than real estate. It’s about community.
“Ten years in the making, Hudson’s Detroit is elevating downtown and creating space for the community to come together,” said Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Bedrock. “Whether you are an office tenant, attending an event or shopping at one of the new retailers, everyone can experience Hudson’s. Through Nick Gilbert Way, we’re delivering a vibrant destination for people to gather, ideas to spark and memories to be made. This is only the beginning for Hudson’s.”
That public plaza, Nick Gilbert Way, named in honor of Gilbert’s late son, will debut Nov. 6, connecting Woodward Avenue to Farmer Street. The space will feature live music, art installations, retail pop-ups and year-round programming beginning this holiday season.
The plaza’s anchor, Un Deux Trois, a French-inspired coffee truck from Midtown’s Café Sous Terre, will serve pastries and espresso daily.
A modern workplace in the heart of Detroit
The newly completed 12-story office building brings Detroit a next-generation workplace designed for collaboration and flexibility. The space features panoramic skyline views, open layouts and a seven-story atrium filled with natural light and plenty of greenery. Its crowning feature, a skylight inspired by the headlight cover of a 1954 Corvette, is a nod to the city’s deep automotive roots.
Amenities include The Atrium Café, serving healthy meals and drinks; The Rec Room, designed by Detroit-based Pophouse, which features a lounge, library, pickleball court and kitchenette; and a Sports Suite with a multi-sport simulator. The property also includes a fitness center, training rooms, underground parking and access to meeting and event space at The Department at Hudson’s, a 56,000-square-foot venue that debuted in spring 2025.
That venue has already hosted major events such as Global Citizen NOW, Crain’s Detroit Business Homecoming and Summit Detroit, drawing thousands of visitors to the city.
GM returns to Woodward
Hudson’s Detroit also represents a symbolic homecoming for one of the city’s most iconic companies.
General Motors will establish its future world headquarters in the Hudson’s Detroit office tower, occupying multiple upper floors and a public showcase space at street level. Its new lobby and showroom, named Entrance One, pays homage to the main employee entrance of the original J.L. Hudson Department Store.
“As the signature tenant at Hudson’s Detroit, General Motors celebrates Detroit’s rich legacy while embracing the city’s bright future,” said David Massaron, GM’s vice president of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship. “Our return to Woodward Avenue in this state-of-the-art building will allow our teams to drive the future of the automotive industry.”
The move will mark GM’s fourth office site in the city, underscoring its long-term commitment to downtown Detroit.
Retail revival on Woodward
Hudson’s Detroit is having a spillover effect, too. Woodward Avenue will reopen between Grand River Avenue and State Street for the first time in decades, restoring a key stretch of Detroit’s retail corridor.
Several new retailers are already joining the mix. ALO, the wellness apparel brand, opened at Hudson’s in August, while Tecovas, a modern Western outfitter, will open its doors October 10. Additional retailers will be announced in the coming months, joining established Bedrock tenants such as Apple, Shinola, Lululemon, Nike, Savage X Fenty, H&M, and The Lip Bar.
Honoring the past, building the future
The new development is built on the historic footprint of the J.L. Hudson Department Store. Once the tallest department store in the world, Hudson’s was a symbol of Detroit’s golden era. Bedrock’s reimagined project honors that heritage while redefining the city’s skyline.
When completed in 2027, Hudson’s Detroit will stand as one of the most ambitious urban redevelopments in the Midwest. Along with its 225-room EDITION hotel and 97 luxury condominiums, the tower will bring five-star amenities, including a spa, pool and fitness center, to downtown Detroit.
What was once a vacant lot at the city’s core is transforming into a vertical neighborhood—a new anchor for Detroit’s next chapter.
