Walk into the lobby of One Campus Martius in downtown Detroit and you’ll feel it immediately. The hum. It’s a specific kind of energy that doesn’t just come from the architectural scale of the building—which is massive—but from the sheer density of people who actually seem to like being at work. At the heart of this tech-centric ecosystem sits Elevate at One Campus Martius. It’s not just another "coworking space" or a fancy name for a breakroom. Honestly, calling it that misses the point of what Dan Gilbert and the Bedrock team were trying to pull off here.
Detroit is a city of pivots. We know this. But the pivot of the old Compuware building into a multi-tenant tech hub is arguably one of the most successful urban real estate plays in the Midwest. Elevate at One Campus Martius acts as the connective tissue for this entire operation. It is a 30,000-square-foot premium event and meeting destination that serves both the internal Bedrock/Rocket Mortgage family and the external business community. It’s where deals happen when people are tired of looking at Zoom screens.
Why Elevate at One Campus Martius actually works
Most "flexible" office spaces feel like an airport lounge had a baby with a library. They’re sterile. Elevate is different because it was built for scale. You’ve got floor-to-ceiling windows that look directly out onto the pulse of the city. You can see the People Mover gliding by and the crowds gathering at the ice rink or the beach at Campus Martius Park, depending on the season.
This isn't just about aesthetics. The functionality is what matters to the people actually booking these rooms. We are talking about 15 distinct meeting rooms, but they aren't those cramped boxes where the air gets thin after twenty minutes. They range from small, intimate huddle rooms to the "International Ballroom" which can hold hundreds of people for a keynote or a product launch.
There’s a specific logic to the layout. It’s designed to facilitate "planned spontaneity." That sounds like a contradiction, right? But it’s the idea that a Fortune 500 executive might bump into a startup founder at the coffee station. That actually happens here. Because One Campus Martius houses heavy hitters like Microsoft and Rocket Mortgage, the "Elevate" space becomes a neutral ground where the corporate hierarchy softens a bit.
🔗 Read more: We Are Legal Revolution: Why the Status Quo is Finally Breaking
The Tech Stack and the "Vibe"
Let’s get into the weeds of what’s actually inside the walls. If the Wi-Fi sucks, the view doesn't matter. Elevate at One Campus Martius invested heavily in the AV infrastructure. Every room is hardwired for high-speed streaming. This was a massive priority during the 2020-2022 transition when hybrid work became the standard. They didn't just add a webcam; they integrated professional-grade audio and visual systems that make remote participants feel like they aren't just a floating head on a wall.
Food is another thing most corporate centers mess up. They usually serve those sad, soggy sandwiches. Elevate has a dedicated catering kitchen. They work with local Detroit vendors, which is a nice touch that keeps the money in the city. You’ll see catering from places that actually have a reputation in the Detroit food scene, not just some national "industrial" kitchen.
It’s expensive. Let's be real about that. Booking a full day at Elevate at One Campus Martius isn't the cheapest option in the 313. But if you're trying to impress a client or convince a team that their project actually matters, the ROI is usually there. It’s about the optics of being at the "center of the center."
Addressing the Post-Pandemic Elephant in the Room
There was a lot of talk a few years ago that big office buildings were dead. People said Detroit's comeback would stall because nobody wanted to be downtown anymore. They were wrong. What happened was a "flight to quality." Companies stopped wanting 50,000 square feet of beige cubicles, but they started wanting high-end, flexible spaces where they could gather for intense bursts of collaboration.
💡 You might also like: Oil Market News Today: Why Prices Are Crashing Despite Middle East Chaos
Elevate at One Campus Martius capitalized on this. Instead of being a place you have to go to, it became a place you want to go to. Bedrock (the real estate arm of the Gilbert empire) realized that the office is now a "product" that has to compete with the comfort of a home office. To win, they had to offer things you can't get at home: 16th-floor views, world-class tech support, and a literal park at your doorstep.
Misconceptions about One Campus Martius
One thing people get wrong is thinking Elevate is only for "Gilbert companies." While it’s true that the Rocket family uses it extensively, it is very much open to the public for booking. You don't have to be a tenant in the building to use the meeting rooms. This is a strategic move to keep the building from becoming a "walled garden."
Another misconception? That it’s just for business. I’ve seen some pretty incredible social events and non-profit galas there. The space transforms at night. When the sun goes down and the city lights kick in, the aesthetic shifts from "productivity" to "prestige."
What to expect when you book
If you're actually planning to use the space, there are a few things you should know.
📖 Related: Cuanto son 100 dolares en quetzales: Why the Bank Rate Isn't What You Actually Get
- The Security: It's tight. This is a building that houses some of the most sensitive financial data in the country. Your guests will need to check in, and it’s a process. Don’t tell people to show up at 9:00 AM for a 9:00 AM meeting. They won't make it. Tell them 8:40 AM.
- The Parking: It's Detroit. Parking is either a breeze or a nightmare. There is an attached garage, but it fills up fast. Advise your team to use the Z-Deck or the Compuware garage early.
- The Atmosphere: It's loud—in a good way. The atrium of One Campus Martius is one of the tallest hanging water features in the world. The sound of that water creates a natural white noise that makes the whole building feel alive.
Actionable Next Steps for Businesses
If you're looking to leverage Elevate at One Campus Martius for your next move, don't just book a room and show up. Here is how you actually maximize the value of the space:
1. Go for a site visit first. The photos online are good, but you need to see the "flow" of the rooms. Some rooms are better for creative brainstorming (more natural light), while others are better for "war room" style intense strategy (more privacy).
2. Leverage the onsite AV team. Don't try to "DIY" your presentation. Reach out to their coordinators 72 hours in advance. They have people whose entire job is to make sure your PowerPoint doesn't glitch. Use them.
3. Plan your breaks around the park. One of the biggest perks of this location is Campus Martius Park. If you have a day-long session, build in a 90-minute lunch. Let people go outside. The fresh air and the Detroit "street energy" act as a reset button for the brain.
4. Check the event calendar. Before booking, see if there are major city events happening in the park (like the Tree Lighting or a big concert). These events make the area incredibly vibrant but can make logistics like parking and noise levels a bit more "challenging."
At the end of the day, Elevate at One Campus Martius represents the new version of Detroit: polished, tech-forward, but still deeply rooted in the physical reality of the city. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s only as good as the person using it. Whether you’re a startup trying to look bigger than you are or a global corporation trying to feel more agile, this space provides the backdrop. Just make sure you leave enough time to grab a coffee downstairs and actually look at the waterfall. It's worth it.