I walked into work this morning at One Detroit Center, the second tallest building in the D and the crown of the skyline, and saw what appeared to be a line of chairs for a panel. Behind them was a backdrop with “Opportunity Detroit” strewn all over it. I didn’t think much until I got to my desk and my deskmate said, “so I guess Dan Gilbert is buying our building.” I knew he was wrong. What would Dan Gilbert want with our building? One Detroit Center is prospering–it’s the finest corporate real estate downtown. Dan Gilbert doesn’t acquire thriving buildings that don’t need his help. At least I thought he didn’t. I guess I haven’t really done my research.

I found out quickly that my coworker was right. Had I been more in tune to current events, I’d have known that this acquisition has been in the works for several weeks now. Dan Gilbert/Bedrock Real Estate/Opportunity Detroit/Rock Ventures/Quicken Loans/idk/etc. etc. now owns my office building. I work in a Dan Gilbert Building. I have spent the past six months being so proud of my beautiful office space, showing it off to visitors and friends. Now, it will have a giant Ally Financial slapped on its side (see below). I pray that our beautiful marble lobby doesn’t get infiltrated with modular plastic furniture and Crayola colored doors. I dread the acquisition of 1000+ Ally employees that will make parking even more of a nightmare.

But wait. Am I one of those people complaining about things getting better? Isn’t Ally choosing to move to the city a truly wonderful win for Detroit? Don’t we want Dan Gilbert to continue to show those in the region and outsiders that there is “opportunity” in Detroit? Yes, of course that’s good, it’s just that, I guess, I liked my building the way it was–before cameras were broadcasting out of it and I could walk through the lobby. And I guess I thought Dan Gilbert spent his money turning Detroit real estate around, not acquiring the most beautiful and iconic spaces in downtown.

I guess I have more research to do, starting below:

Ally image

 

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141104/NEWS/141109950/one-detroit-center-on-the-market-after-pension-system-elects-not-to

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/real-estate/2014/11/05/one-detroit-center-woodard-comerica/18531141/

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150313/BLOG016/150319910/sources-gilbert-deal-for-one-detroit-center-imminent

http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2015/03/31/gilbert-duggan-one-detroit-center/70721582/

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150218/BLOG016/150219830/sources-one-detroit-center-sale-nets-3-local-finalists-in-gilbert

http://choosethinking.com/

http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml