By Scott Clein, PE, LEED AP
President & Partner
Team members congratulate Giffels Webster on 25 years in Detroit
This month marks the 25th anniversary of Giffels Webster in Detroit. From our first office, opened in 1995 in Bricktown, to our current headquarters located on Grand Circus Park, we’ve always strived to become a part of the community.
I was asked to write this blog to help celebrate this achievement, which makes sense given my position with the firm and the fact that I’ve been in the Detroit office for 24 of those years. But a somewhat traditional my how things have changed fluff piece seems out of place, given everything that has happened this year.
I therefore turned to my coworkers, the best group of people I know, to help me better explain what 25 years in the Motor City has meant to us. Obviously, many of our memories are from pre-quarantine days, but really do show how badly we all want to get back together in person. While the following occurred virtually, just imagine us sitting around the office chatting, because that’s what we usually do.
What do you like best about working in the Detroit office? What keeps you coming back every day?
Christina McKenzie – The views! The Detroit office has some of the best views of downtown. I also really enjoy construction outside our window.
Scott Clein – You mean our projects?
Christina – I think it’s awesome that we’ve been involved in so many projects in Detroit. When I get asked by the non-AEC community what Giffels Webster does, I often joke that if you threw a rock in Detroit, you’d hit one of our projects. How special is that!
Rod Arroyo – First, it’s the great people we have on our team that make it an exciting and inspiring place to be.
Leon Evans – The people of Giffels Webster. This is easily the most positive and friendly group I have ever worked with.
Danielle Diehl – I love seeing so many people downtown! Our city is beautiful, and it’s awesome being a part of that.
Rod – I agree. There is an energy in the City; I think about the 1920s boom in Detroit and how our firm is part of something not seen since that time.
Mina James-Gist – I love being able to work on such amazing developments and historic buildings. Giffels Webster is truly helping fuel the revitalization of Detroit, and it’s so awesome to be part of this team.
What is the biggest change you’ve noticed since you first started in Detroit?
Stacey Tobar – There are more people walking around and smiling. There really is a sense of belonging to something positive.
Mike Darga – I’ve seen buildings renovated and reopened that had literally never been opened in my time working.
Veronica Whitley – There is a true resurgence in the City!
Scott – When I first started, I would tell people I worked Downtown and get a strange look, like they felt bad for me. Now they’re jealous. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!
What is your best memory of our first office in Detroit, in the Globe Building in Bricktown?
Mike Kozak – Wearing layers! In the summer, the AC was so cold and in the winter the heat so hot we needed to open windows.
Mike D – Having to open windows only to get snow flying in!
Scott – Don’t forget being able to see between the wood floor boards into the suite below us. I miss Bud and Ferlando too. (But I do love Steve and Robert at the GPC!)
Veronica – Two-hour birthday lunches at Mario’s!
Scott – They had great two-for-one deals!
What is your fondest memory involving Giffels Webster’s current Detroit office in the GPC on Grand Circus Park?
Ana Navarrete – I love when we all bring in a dish or a side and get together for lunch. Pre-COVID that is.
Terence Thomas – Really enjoyed the holiday happy hour nearby at Bucharest.
Mina – I loved the entire holiday season in the office!
Nancy McClain – The holiday season is special. I was finishing up some plotting one evening and looked out the window across Grand Circus Park. It was snowing, the lights were still up from Christmas, and downtown looked better than I had ever remembered seeing it in the 18 years I’d lived and worked here.
Scott – I’ve had so many great conversations with coworkers. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas for the East Riverfront Framework Plan or playing euchre, just a great group to be around.
Leon – Riding the office bike down Woodward to a client meeting while trying not to fall over in the Q Line tracks.
What is your favorite Detroit place for lunch?
Stacey – Food trucks!
Leon – The gyros at the back of the Eatori Market in Capitol Park.
Terence – Chick P in the D and Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef.
Mike D – Le Pecora Nera for the chicken parm sandwich.
Scott – Le Pecora Nera or Bucharest.
So, let’s settle this. Best Detroit Coney: Lafayette or American?
Mike K – Ridiculous question: it’s American.
Rod – American.
Stacey – Lafayette! The basement alone is an adventure.
Ana – Sorry folks, but I’m from Southwest Detroit, so it’s Duly’s!
Scott – American, unless you’ve been drinking, then its Lafayette.
What Giffels Webster project in Detroit makes you the most proud?
Stacey – Beacon Park.
Christina – Ooh Stacey, that’s my answer. Beacon Park is really special.
Veronica – Campus Martius!
Terence – I’m a little biased, but I’m going to say the LCA.
Scott – When talking about a project that used infrastructure changes to improve quality of life and recreate the heart of open space in downtown, then Campus Martius is the O.G.
What does it all mean? Well, for starters, the past 25 years have been (mostly) a whole lot of fun! It certainly helps when you get paid to work alongside some extraordinary people who share your values and passion. That said, we are working in Detroit because we want to do so. We really are a collection of people who choose to come together every day to improve quality of life.
We are also truly thankful for the opportunities we’ve been afforded. In the last 25 years, we have become a part of the community and personally invested in its success. Giffels Webster has been privileged to work with the leaders, residents and developers who have fueled this amazing journey. We are extremely proud of our work, only a portion of which was mentioned here. (I checked our internal database and found more than 1,800 projects listed in Detroit!)
So Happy Anniversary Giffels Webster!
The last 25 years have been fantastic, and the prospect of doing it again puts a smile on our faces.
Related: Giffels Webster Celebrates 25 Years Downtown (Press Release)