GKN Less Than 30 Days Away

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

About a year ago, the City rejoiced in the razing of the former Showcase Cinema building at 2150 North Opdyke Road.  Today, what seemed almost impossible is now becoming a reality.  The developer, Amson Dembs Development Inc., is about 30 days away from completing the new start-of-the-art headquarters for auto supplier GKN.

The City has been working hard to assist Amson Dembs with delivering the first of their two anticipated corporate headquarters for the former Showcase Cinema property by Monday, September 22nd.

The new 168,056 square foot building will be situated on the north half of the site.  GKN has been located in Auburn Hills since 1986.  They anticipate their new facility will employ just over 400 people when it opens next month.

Some interesting facts we recently learned about the project:

• The old Showcase Cinema building and its parking lot were both recycled and used as base material for the new building and parking lot.
• There will be 21 conference rooms in the new building.  All rooms are anticipated to be named after lakes in Michigan.
• The site will be reforested with hundreds of new trees including 25+ evergreen trees that are 20 feet or taller along its north property line to give the site a corporate park feel.
• Numerous metro Detroit contractors are being used to construct the new facility (e.g., earth work, cement, drywall, plumbing, etc.).  The project has recently averaged over 150 construction workers each day employing many people locally.

Stay tuned for more updates as the new GKN facility moves toward final completion.