Rock Affiliated Companies to Have More Than 6,500 Team Members Working in Woodward’s Technology District at Campus Martius

Downtown Detroit’s First National Building became home to another 500 professionals this week as Title Source, the largest independent provider of title insurance, property valuations and settlement services in the nation, made the first move in a series to bring all 1,500 of its Michigan-based team members to downtown Detroit’s burgeoning Central Business District.

During a press conference held in the shadow of the First National Building in Cadillac Square, Title Source President Jeff Eisenshtadt today announced that the company, when fully moved in, will occupy more than 330,000 square feet across 10 floors, or more than 40 percent, of the historic building. Title Source’s move will put a total of more than 6,500 of Rock Ventures companies’ new economy-based team members along the exciting Woodward technology corridor near Campus Martius.

“Our team members are extremely excited to move to downtown Detroit, particularly the First National Building, which is just steps from Campus Martius Park,” said Eisenshtadt, adding that he expects all Title Source team members to be moved in within six months.   “We have been watching all of the great things going on in Detroit and are very eager to contribute to the turnaround of a great American city.   We can’t wait to explore all of what downtown has to offer.”

Title Source is a Rock Ventures LLC company.  Rock Ventures, the umbrella entity formed to provide operational coordination, guidance and integration of Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments and real estate, acquired the First National Building in August 2011.

The 800,000 square-foot structure was constructed in 1930, and in the past six months has undergone extensive renovations while maintaining the elegant historical features of the original design. The 25-story Albert Kahn-designed building snakes through an entire city block; other tenants include the law firm of Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn, and the United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

Title Source’s move brings the occupancy rate of the First National Building to 93 percent.

“It is a transformational time for Detroit as we add 1,500 enthusiastic new team members to downtown’s growing technology and entrepreneurial district,” said Gilbert, Chairman of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans. “Just as exciting is the number of supporting businesses that are opening up in the downtown area to serve the needs of the growing ranks of those who work here. It is a fantastic time to be an entrepreneur in Detroit.”

Title Source has provided settlement services to Quicken Loans (previously Rock Financial) since 1997 and has more than doubled its number of team members in the past year alone.

By early 2013, the number of Rock Ventures team members working in downtown Detroit will surpass 6,500.  Rock Ventures’ mission to relocate all Michigan-based team members to Detroit started in August 2010 when Quicken Loans and five sister companies moved 1,700 people to the Compuware Building.

Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC, Rock Ventures’ full-service property management firm, helped oversee the purchase and redevelopment of the First National Building. Von Staden Architects designed Title Source’s space, and Sachse Construction renovated it.

###

** Note to Editors:  Below you’ll find a listing of the companies who have moved into Rock Ventures-owned and leased buildings in Detroit since August 2010, and our Detroit 2.0 Chronology, both of which can also be found on Quicken Loans’ press room HERE.

About Title Source:
Title Source is the largest independent provider of title insurance, property valuations and settlement services in the nation. Its solutions power many of the nation’s largest residential lending institutions.  Title Source also provides commercial services to five of the top 15 Fortune 100 companies and many of the area’s leading law firms. Title Source is an authorized agent of the highest rated title insurers in the industry. The company is based in Detroit, Michigan and operates regional service centers in California, Texas and Pennsylvania. Title Source was named a Detroit Free Press Top Workplace in 2009, 2010 and 2011.  For more information, please visit www.titlesource.com.

About Rock Ventures LLC:
Rock Ventures LLC is an umbrella entity formed to provide operational coordination, guidance, and integration of Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments and real estate.

About Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC:
Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC is a full service property management firm specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space. The company, a partnership between Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert and veteran real estate developer Jim Ketai, is based in downtown Detroit. For more information, visit http://www.bedrockmgt.com.

———————————————–

Companies that have joined Rock Ventures in Downtown Detroit since August 2010

To date, more than 60 companies have moved to Detroit in a number of Rock Ventures-owned buildings throughout the city.  These businesses include:

M@dison Building (100 percent occupied):

  • Are You a Human: The answer to frustrating CAPTCHA entries, Are You a Human uses fun games to verify the authenticity of people completing online forms
  • Aria Ventures: A company specializing in developing and funding startup ventures
  • Bizdom: A non-profit entrepreneurship accelerator for budding web and tech-based startups in Detroit and Cleveland (Bizdom Detroit was previously housed in Wayne State University’s Tech Town)
  • Detroit Labs: A leader in the development of Android, iOS and web-based applications
  • Detroit Venture Partners (DVP):  A venture capital firm specializing in funding early stage technology businesses
  • Doodle Home: An online interior design destination serving customers, designers and manufacturers of luxury home furnishings
  • EBLI: A proprietary system that teaches people of any age and skill level to read to their highest potential
  • Exxodus Pictures: A production company whose first feature film, Jinn, is now in post-production
  • Facility Matrix Group (FMG):  The area’s pre-eminent provider of office furniture
  • FLUD: A news-reader application for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices that helps users save time by delivering content they’re most interested in
  • GreenLancer: Web-based company that provides businesses a model for cutting development and engineering costs in clean energy projects
  • GumShoe: A game where players compete against friends and a community of sleuths to solve mysteries, and earn awards, social cred and the occasional real life cache along the way
  • hiredMYway : A company disrupting the traditional “job board” concept that provides an exceptionally better value and experience for both job seekers and employers
  • Ludlow Ventures: An angel and seed-stage venture capital firm investing in web and digital technologies
  • Marxent Labs: Creator of ShopWith.It, a new app for social shoppers that makes it easy to take your Facebook friends shopping
  • Quikkly: Short-term deals exclusively for college students
  • Roqbot: A social jukebox app that lets you be the DJ at your favorite bars, restaurants, gyms, and stores
  • Savorfull: Monthly samples of allergy free, nutrient dense foods, delivered right to your doorstep
  • Skidmore Studio: A leading creative design firm occupying an entire floor in the building
  • Tapjoy:  A mobile ad network that lets you discover apps and get in-app rewards when you engage with ads
  • TextFromLastNight (Detroit office): An accidental startup born out of a viral sensation, now one of the leading user-generated content sites for 20-somethings
  • Thrillist Detroit: Free daily email that finds the best of what’s new in your neighborhood and on the web
  • Twitter: A real-time information network that connects people to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news
  • UpTo: A new social platform focused on the future tense, allowing users to easily share calendar events
  • Vineyard Capital: An investment firm for later-stage private companies, partnering with various groups throughout the Midwest
  • Wedit: A fun, easy, and affordable way to capture, edit, and share wedding memories through the use of HD Flip cameras
  • 313 Ventures: Stock trader-turned-angel investor, partaking in the rebuild of Detroit, one deal at a time

Chrysler House (Former Dime Building; 92 percent occupied):

  • Allied Printing Company: Provides printing, information management, and warehouse & fulfillment services
  • Campus Commandos: Connects clients with the college demographic through the use of student brand ambassadors
  • Chrysler Group LLC: Automotive company that produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products
  • Corby Energy: Providing construction, engineering and support services to utilities and related businesses
  • Core Merchant: Easy and convenient credit payment solutions for businesses
  • Elite Fire Safety: A one-stop-shop for fire safety needs
  • EverStaff: Recruits the most skilled and qualified professionals for organizations of all sizes
  • FNC Holding Company: Provides insight into the property backing a loan with its data and analytic solutions
  • GSI: A company specializing in security, network and system integration
  • Hubbard Snitchler & Parzianello PLC: Provides world-class legal service
  • Just Baked: Specialty cupcake shop and bakery
  • Lawrence Technological University (satellite classroom):  The university’s College of Architecture and Design is offering a semester long urban design class in Detroit
  • Metro Consulting:  A full service civil engineering and land surveying consultancy
  • Professional Movers.com: Moving company that specializes in providing local, long distance, and international relocation services for people and businesses
  • Rehmann: A company offering accounting, tax planning and financial consulting services
  • Reliance One: A full service staffing firm
  • SCI Marketview: A lead management company for automotive dealers
  • Quicken Loans: The nation’s largest online mortgage lender

Chase Tower (100 percent occupied):

  • In-House Realty: A real estate services company matching Quicken Loans clients with pre-screened agents in their community
  • One Reverse Mortgage: The largest reverse-only mortgage lender in America and second largest retail provider of reverse mortgage home loans
  • Quicken Loans: The nation’s largest online mortgage lender

First National Building (93 percent occupied):

  • Aerotek: A leading staffing agency that matches qualified candidates with top companies worldwide
  • Roasting Plant:  New York-based coffee company with unique Javabot roasting technology
  • Title Source: The largest independent provider of title insurance, property valuations and settlement services in the nation.

Compuware (Rock Ventures leases four floors; 100 percent occupied):

  • Bedrock Real Estate Services: Rock Ventures’ full service property management firm, specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space
  • Cup of Zup: Uniquely amusing pop-culture e-newsletter and website
  • Fathead: The Real.Big. brand of officially licensed sports and entertainment graphics products
  • Picket Report: An online neighborhood research tool
  • Quicken Loans: The nation’s largest online mortgage lender
  • Quizzle: Website that gives consumers a complete understanding of their credit so they can make better financial decisions
  • Rockbridge Growth Equity: A Detroit-based private equity firm that invests in mid-stage financial and business services, consumer-direct marketing, and sports, media & entertainment industries
  • Rock Companies: A real estate investment, development, construction and management company focusing on commercial, residential single and multi-family investments in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio
  • Rock Gaming: A gaming partnership formed with an initial focus to develop full-service casinos in two of Ohio’s largest cities, as well as to explore other potential gaming opportunities elsewhere
  • Rock Ventures: An umbrella entity formed to provide operational coordination, guidance, and integration of Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments and real estate

————————————

Detroit 2.0 Chronology

January 2007: Dan Gilbert founds Bizdom, a non-profit entrepreneurship accelerator for budding web and tech-based startups in Detroit.

January 2009: Gilbert and other business leaders invest in M-1 RAIL, a 6.8-mile light-rail system that will link key neighborhoods to Detroit’s riverfront, the business district, and educational, cultural, entertainment and medical institutions along Woodward Avenue.

July 2009: Quicken Loans announces it will relocate its headquarters to the Compuware Building in downtown Detroit in 2010.

August 2010: Quicken Loans and five of its sister companies move 1,700 team members into the Compuware building in downtown Detroit.

November 2010: Gilbert, together with entrepreneurs Josh Linkner and Brian Hermelin, launch Detroit Venture Partners, a Detroit-based venture capital firm that invests in seed and early-stage technology companies to be located in the city.

January 2011: Rock Ventures, the umbrella entity formed to provide operational coordination, guidance and integration of Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments and real estate purchases Detroit’s historical Madison Theatre Building and begins transforming it into a collaborative tech hub to encourage partnership among local entrepreneurs.

April 2011: Rock Ventures acquires the 13-story Chase Tower located in Detroit’s downtown central business district and immediately begins renovation to reflect Quicken Loans’ culture.

April 2011: Rock Ventures buys Two Detroit Center, a 1,095-space parking garage located in the central business district.

May 2011: Skidmore Studio, a graphic design firm located in a nearby suburb, announces it will become the anchor tenant in the Madison Building when it opens in Fall 2011.

June 2011: Quicken Loans hires 200 interns to work in the Detroit office to expose students to the city and help end Detroit’s “brain drain.”

July 2011: Earvin “Magic” Johnson joins Detroit Venture Partners to help fund start-up tech companies.

July 2011: Quicken Loans and four other downtown Detroit companies unveil the “Live Downtown” program, which offers financial incentives to team members who live in the city.

July 2011: Quicken Loans sponsors the debut of Somerset Collection’s CityLoft, a pop-up shop open the last weekend of each month in downtown Detroit with mini-versions of upscale stores, to bring retail back to downtown Detroit.

August 2011: Rock Ventures purchases Detroit’s First National Building to house more team members as well as other businesses.

August 2011: Rock Ventures acquires its fourth building, the 101-year-old Dime Building located in downtown Detroit, and the Financial District Garage, a 983-space parking structure adjacent to the Dime Building.

August 2011: Rock Ventures purchases the Madison Parking Lot on Broadway, adjacent to the Madison Theatre Building.

September 2011: Quicken Loans hosts a job fair to fill 500 positions in Detroit within the Family of Companies, 2,500 line up around the building to apply.

October 2011: An additional 2,000 Quicken Loans team members move into the newly renovated Chase Tower.

December 2011: Rock Ventures completes the acquisition of three additional properties in Downtown Detroit – the historic Wright-Kay brownstone, the Lane Bryant and the Arts League of Michigan Buildings.

January 2012: Rock Ventures adds two more buildings to its real estate portfolio – the Historic Federal Reserve Building, and 1550 Woodward Avenue, a one-story building to be utilized for retail or commercial use.

February 2012: To encourage Detroit’s “brain gain,” the Quicken Loans Family of Companies announces it will hire 600 paid interns – 500 to work in Detroit to discover all the great things the City has to offer.

April 2012: The Quicken Loans Family of Companies begins a recruiting campaign to hire more than 1,400 team members, and launches Valley to Detroit, a campaign aimed to bring laid off Yahoo technology professionals to Detroit from Silicon Valley.

April 2012: Rock Ventures and Chrysler hold a press conference to announce that Chrysler will lease the top two floors of Rock Ventures’ Dime Building and rename the building Chrysler House.

June 2012: Quicken Loans partners with other Detroit businesses to create “IT in the D,” a program to give local university students real-world experience to prepare them for tech jobs in Detroit.

July 2012: Title Source, the largest independent provider of title insurance, property valuations and settlement services in the nation, begins move of 1,500 team members to downtown Detroit’s First National Building.