Preservation Detroit, the citys oldest and largest preservation organization, is pushing back against recently announced demolition plans for Tower 300 and Tower 400 in John Portmans General Motors Renaissance Center (RenCen). The RenCen consists of seven towers, of which GM owns the original five. In a recently issued statement from the board and staff, Preservation Detroit urged the City of Detroit to protect RenCen, citing the buildings significant place in Detroits civic and architectural history. The statement, co-signed by Docomomo_US/MI; the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN); and the National Organization of Minority Architects, Detroit (NOMA), comes after a new plan was announced by GM, Bedrock, and Genslers Detroit office to tear down two of Renaissance Centers original towers and replace them with three new smaller ones.A new plan by Gensler and Field Operations would tear down two RenCens original towers and replace them with three new smaller ones. (Courtesy Bedrock and Gensler)While we understand that only two towers are currently being considered for demolition, we believe this decision would have a lasting negative impact on the City, the statement read. The RenCen is a unique and integral part of Detroits civic and architectural history, prominently featured in images of our downtown skyline and nearly as recognizable as the Old English D.While the mammoth, Portmanian complex has been the subject of both positive and negative discourse, RenCen is undeniably a distinguished portion of the skyline in Michigans largest city. When the hotel tower opened in 1977, it set the world record for being the tallest hotel building. At 727 feet, the central tower still holds the record for being the tallest building in Michigan. The complex represents a significant time in Detroits history. In the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Uprising, a group of 26 civic leaders in Detroit led by Henry Ford II formed a coalition called Detroit Renaissance. The first building, completed in 1976, was the result of plans for a project that would set the city on a road to revitalization. Even now, the city has been in a consistent state of development, but perhaps it is turning around too quickly.There is a precedent for the case of adaptive reuse in Detroit. Last year, the once abandoned Michigan Central Station was restored by Quinn Evans Architects after Ford Motor Company purchased the building seven years ago.For General Motors and Bedrock, the project backers, removing the two towers is a logical step for reducing the footprint of the office space far less utilized in a post-pandemic economy. However, the Preservation District sees it differently. In its letter of opposition, the Preservation District notes that new developments point to a renovation boom. Additionally, it notes that there are current and anticipated housing shortages in Michigan alongside previously identified hotel-room deficits within the city center.The Preservation District also presents concerns from a sustainable perspective. Demolition would negate the amount of labor and energy used in the buildings original construction.