Detroit’s Renaissance Center has been a crowning gem of the city’s skyline since the 1970s.

But since General Motors announced plans to move its headquarters out of the towers, the RenCen has faced questions about its future, including the possibility of demolition.

With the fate of the skyscrapers at stake, we decided to take a peek into the photographical archives, back to when the project was announced, its groundbreaking, big events and eventually, its status as a ghost-town, when COVID-19 temporarily cleared the building in favor of remote work and GM moved some employees to Warren.

Scroll through the gallery below, for a look into the history of the iconic landmark.

Here are some recent news stories to capture where the development discussions stand:

Historic review: Detroit City Council shoots down RenCen historic review, paving way for GM, Bedrock plan

Sound off: Detroiters feel mixed about RenCen demolition plan

Neal Rubin: I explored the almost-vacant RenCen. Here’s what I found.

Key facts about the RenCen

• The RenCen consists of seven towers, of which GM owns the original five.
• The original structure opened in 1977 and consists of four 39-story office towers surrounding a central 73-story hotel, which is now a Marriott.
• The original plan for the RenCen was proposed in 1971 by auto magnate Henry Ford II, then chairman of Ford Motor Co. The architect was John Portman and the development’s original ownership was a 49-member partnership spearheaded by Henry Ford II. The restaurant near the top of the central tower at one time featured a revolving floor.
• In 1981, two additional 21-story towers were built. Those two shorter towers were sold in 2023 by a New Jersey utility company, which had owned them for years, to Farmington Hills-based real estate firm Friedman Real Estate. One of those buildings houses Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The other is mostly vacant.
• GM bought the RenCen in 1996 to be its world headquarters. Previously, GM was located in Detroit’s New Center area in what was then called the General Motors Building, now known as Cadillac Place.
• The automaker went on to spend over $500 million on renovations and upgrades to the RenCen in the late 1990s and early 2000s that were widely credited with making the center better, and its labyrinthine corridors somewhat easier to navigate.
• The weekday population in the RenCen plunged following the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued popularity of remote and hybrid work arrangements. GM also relocated a number of workers from the RenCen to its Technical Center in Warren.

The Detroit Free Press contributed to this report.

Spring is still a week and a half away, but it is going to feel like mid-April over the next several days.

Along with the start of Daylight Saving Time, Sunday brought sunshine and 50-degree weather to Southeast Michigan.

The skies will continue to be mostly clear on Sunday night. Lows will be in the lower to mid 30s. Winds will be out of the west-southwest at 8 to 16 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

Monday

Highs will be around 60 degrees on Monday, with abundant sunshine. This will be the warmest in Metro Detroit since November.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear. Lows will be in the lower 40s, with southwesterly winds at 6 to 12 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Highs will be in the upper 50s to 60 degrees on Tuesday. Expect partly cloudy skies and breezy conditions.

A cold front will push cooler air into Metro Detroit for Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Under partly cloudy skies, Tuesday night’s lows will be in the upper 20s and lower 30s.

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy. The cooler air mass will limit highs to the mid to upper 40s. Lows will be in the mid 30s.

Temperatures will climb again for the end of the week, but opportunities for sunshine will be few.

Thursday and Friday

Thursday’s highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s, under mostly cloudy skies. An isolated rain shower is possible.

Friday will be mostly cloudy. Highs will be in the mid to upper 60s.

Next Weekend

Saturday will bring rain and gusty winds, and Saturday night will be rainy. Plan for highs in the mid to upper 60s on Saturday, but temperature will be cooler on Sunday. Plan for a chance of rain on Sunday.

This is the sixth in our series previewing the Detroit Lions’ needs heading into free agency. The legal tampering window opens at noon on Monday, and deals can be signed starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. Today: Cornerback/Safety. Previously: Quarterbacks | Wide receivers and Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Running backs |Defensive line/EDGE

Under contract: Cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Safeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett

Expiring deals: Cornerbacks: Emmanuel Moseley, Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor

Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu

Best available: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)

Safeties: Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Tre’von Moehrig (Raiders), Justin Reid (Chiefs), Camryn Bynum (Vikings), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)

Other potential Lions fits: Cornerbacks: Carlton Davis (Lions), Charvarius Ward (49ers), D.J. Reed (Jets), Darius Slay (Eagles), Byron Murphy (Vikings)

Safeties: Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions), Mike Edwards (Buccaneers), Marcus Maye (Chargers), Will Harris (Saints), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)

Breakdown: Of the several position groups the Lions must address in free agency, one could argue the secondary is the most important.

Acquired by the Lions last year in a trade with the Buccaneers, Carlton Davis III instantly upgraded their cornerback corps with his high-level play last season.

Before breaking his jaw in Week 15 against Buffalo, Davis was on pace to log career highs. He finished the year with 42 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games.

Adding to that, Davis allowed only two receiving touchdowns, and opposing quarterbacks completed just 55.3% of their passes when targeting him.

While Davis’ production warrants the Lions considering re-signing him, his availability raises concerns. The seven-year veteran has yet to play a full NFL season, missing as many as four games per year over the past three seasons.

Davis’ absence proved significant for Detroit, as he missed the final three games, including the divisional-round loss to the Commanders.

There are pros and cons to re-signing Davis. If the contract length is reasonable and the salary isn’t too hefty, the Lions should bring him back and hope for a healthy season. But if he becomes too expensive, the Lions have options.

One intriguing possibility is San Francisco’s Charvarius Ward.

Over the past six seasons, Ward has proved to be an above-average starter at cornerback, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 54.1% of their passes when targeting him.

It’s unclear what type of payday Ward will seek, but he could come slightly cheaper than Davis and without the injury concerns.

Jets cornerback D.J. Reed could also be an option, depending on the price. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 46.3% of their passes when targeting Reed last season. He allowed just two passing touchdowns and a 63.0 passer rating as the primary defender in coverage.

As for Byron Murphy, it’s highly likely the Vikings find a way to retain him.

However, if the Lions are unable to re-sign Davis or land Ward, a reunion with Darius Slay on a one-year deal makes the most sense. Slay has said Detroit and Philadelphia are the only two places he’d like to play next season.

With the Lions needing a cornerback, Slay would provide a high-level starter opposite Terrion Arnold as the team evaluates Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Switching from cornerbacks to safeties, the Lions also have a significant decision regarding Ifeatu Melifonwu’s future in Detroit. The fourth-year player blossomed in 2023 and was key in the Lions’ run to the NFC title game.

That said, Melifonwu was largely absent last season due to injury. He suited up for the final three games, including the divisional-round matchup. If the Lions decide to bring him back, it would essentially be based on his 2023 production—24 tackles, eight passes defended, five quarterback hits, three sacks and two interceptions.

Keeping Melifonwu could be too costly unless he agrees to a team-friendly deal. If the Lions move on, Tampa Bay’s Mike Edwards is an option due to his versatility in the secondary.

A potential sneaky fit for Detroit could be Talanoa Hufanga. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 but has dealt with injury concerns in recent years. If he’s willing to sign a one-year “prove-it” deal, he could be a solid option at box safety for the Lions.