Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a residential area of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Downtown is bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 (The Chrysler Spur) to the east, and the Detroit River to the south.
Downtown contains much historic architecture and most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit, including the Renaissance Center, the Penobscot Building, One Detroit Center, and the Guardian Building. Historic churches, theatres, and commercial buildings anchor the various downtown districts. Downtown has a number parks including those linked by a promenade along the Detroit International Riverfront.
In recent years the downtown area has seen tremendous growth and development. Since 2000 a number of major construction projects have been completed including the new Compuware Headquarters at Campus Martius Park and two new stadiums: Comerica Park and Ford Field. General Motors moved their headquarters into the Renaissance Center, and the Detroit Lions have relocated from Pontiac, Michigan to downtown Detroit. High-profile events like the 2005 MLB All-Star Game, Super Bowl XL, and the 2006 World Series have taken place in downtown, generating income for local businesses and spurring more growth. As a result, new residents are moving into Detroit in the assortment of new lofts that are opening up, while condemned buildings and homes are being razed to make land available for yet more development. An example of these trends is the Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel. In 2006, the Cleveland-based Ferchill Group began the $180 million redevelopment of the long vacant Book Cadlliac Hotel at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Michigan Avenue. The project, which has been hailed by historic preservationists houses a 455 room Westin Hotel, 67 high-end condominiums, and two to three restaurants, and some miscellaneous retail serving hotel and conference center guests. DTE headquarters features an urban oasis of parks, walkways, and a reflecting pool. In 2007, downtown Detroit was named among the best big city neighborhoods in which to retire by CNN Money Magazine editors.