GM details $1B Tech Center expansion

The company will build new design studios, renovate existing research-and-development facilities, upgrade offices and add a new IT building, among other changes.

As expected, General Motors has detailed a $1 billion expansion plan for its Warren Technical Center campus.

The multiyear project involves construction of new design studios and a new multi-story information-technology building adjacent to the company's existing Michigan IT Innovation Center, along with new testing areas at the Advanced Energy Center.

Many of the existing research-and-development facilities, most of which date back to the 1950s, will be renovated or rebuilt with extensive office upgrades and reconfiguration of various work areas.

"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 GM development head Mark Reuss. "We will transform this campus into a collaborative workplace of choice for our current team and future talent."

GM expects the project to create approximately 2,600 new GM salaried jobs in core areas such as engineering, IT and design, adding to the current workforce of more than 19,000 employees.

The 326-acre tech center was designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen and landscape architect Thomas Church, with construction beginning in 1949. It has since been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.