Highlands Detroit To Close May 2027 as RenCen Demolition Nears

Restaurant occupying top floors of Renaissance Center will shut down as part of $1.6 billion makeover project.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Highlands Detroit, a restaurant occupying floors 71 and 72 of the Renaissance Center in Detroit, will shut its doors in May 2027 as part of a $1.6 billion makeover project that will demolish two towers at the complex. The restaurant's owner, Chef Shawn McClain, said the timeline allows the restaurant to remain open through two major upcoming events in the city - the NCAA men's basketball Final Four in early April 2027 and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear in late May.

Why it matters

The closure of Highlands Detroit is part of a broader redevelopment plan for the Renaissance Center, which has been a landmark of Detroit's skyline for decades. The demolition of Towers 300 and 400 signals a major shift for the complex, as GM has already relocated to a new downtown location and other tenants are also leaving ahead of the changes.

The details

Highlands Detroit, a restaurant launched by James Beard award-winning Chef Shawn McClain in November 2019, has seen sales plummet 30% each year since the end of the pandemic. The restaurant's staff has shrunk from roughly 95 workers to 70-75. Other restaurants at the Renaissance Center, including Joe Muer Seafood and Andiamo Detroit Riverfront, are also closing or relocating as the complex is being emptied ahead of the demolition and redevelopment.

  • Highlands Detroit will shut its doors in May 2027.
  • The NCAA men's basketball Final Four arrives in early April 2027.
  • The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear happens in late May 2027.
  • Towers 300 and 400 will come down under the makeover plan first announced in November 2024.
  • GM relocated to Hudson's Detroit in the center of downtown.

The players

Shawn McClain

The James Beard award-winning chef who launched Highlands Detroit in November 2019.

GM

The automaker that has relocated from the Renaissance Center to a new downtown location as part of the redevelopment plan.

Bedrock

The real estate company overseeing the $1.6 billion makeover project for the Renaissance Center.

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What they’re saying

“We've had an amazing run. Where things are at now, there will be an interruption, but in the meantime we're still open despite the building's quiet demeanor. Business is thriving on the 71st floor.”

— Shawn McClain, Chef (Crain's Detroit)

“This is the right next chapter for this landmark, and we're excited to see what this site becomes. But right now, we're focused on making these final 16 months the best Highlands has ever been.”

— Shawn McClain, Chef (The Detroit News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The closure of Highlands Detroit and the broader redevelopment of the Renaissance Center marks the end of an era for one of Detroit's most iconic landmarks. While the changes will disrupt the restaurant and other tenants, the project represents a significant investment in the city's future and an opportunity to reimagine this important site.