DETROIT (WWJ) — The city of Detroit officially has a new second-tallest building: the Hudson’s site skyscraper.
Crews on Thursday raised the final steel construction beam, officially bringing the tower to its final height of just over 680 feet.
The Hudson’s site tower — situated along Woodward Avenue between Grand River and Gratiot — sits only behind the 727-foot-tall central tower of the Renaissance Center along the riverfront.
The $1.4 billion project broke ground in late 2017 with an initial completion date of 2022, which was pushed back, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. A firm completion date for the project has not been disclosed.
A topping-off ceremony was held Thursday with a small pine tree and a U.S. flag affixed to the building's final beam, as well as the logo of Barton Malow, the project's general contractor.
Developed by billionaire Dan Gilbert’s real estate firm Bedrock, the project features the 49-story skyscraper, next to a shorter “office block,” with the two separated by an outdoor plaza, “creating a central destination for Detroit,” according to Bedrock.
In total, there will be an estimated 1.5 million square feet of space with a mix of office space, dining and retail, event space, more than 200 hotel rooms, and up to 100 residential units.
Bedrock officials say more than 3,500 tradespeople have put in over 2.7 million total hours of recorded labor on the project since work began.
“The talent and dedication of Detroit’s tradespeople has been a driving force on the Hudson’s Site and integral to achieving this landmark project,” Gilbert said, per a press release. “We are proud of their individual contributions, that will make this a generational development and will surely enhance the city’s skyline for Detroiters and visitors for decades to come.”