General Motors (GM) is poised to invest $1 billion in its Warren Technical Center campus, creating approximately 2,600 new jobs to support future business growth at the National Historic Landmark site. The new multiyear redevelopment project, which is driving new construction on the 326-acre campus, will see significant renovations of some existing facilities and expansion of some operations.
While much of the new investment is expected to go towards restoring the network of tunnels, labs and offices that sustained $132m of flood damage following heavy rains last August, the Warren site will also see the construction of new design studios as well as a parking deck for design employees.
A multi-story IT building adjacent to the current Michigan IT Innovation Center and a new parking deck for Innovation Center employees will also be built, while new construction will accommodate additional testing areas at the Advanced Energy Center.
Most of the Tech Center buildings will also be completely refurbished to bring them up to date and improve the work environment for all campus functions.
“This is an investment in our people who work at the Tech Center because it is positioning the company for long-term growth by enabling new levels of innovation and collaboration into our workplace,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development and Purchasing and Supply Chain.
GM previously announced $139.5 million for body shop and stamping facility upgrades at its Warren pre-production Operations, part of a $5.4bn investment in US plants announced April 30.
The Tech Center campus, designed by world-renowned architect Eero Saarinen and landscape architect Thomas Church, opened in 1956. In 1986, the American Institute of Architects honored the Tech Center as the most outstanding architectural project of its era.
The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2014 by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.
Work on the project begins this month and will continue through 2018.
