Gilbert unveils new Quicken computer center

Businessman Dan Gilbert unveiled his Quicken Loans' new technology center in Detroit's Corktown district on Tuesday and said it will help promote Detroit's growing reputation as a center of digital innovation.

Located at 1401 Rosa Parks, the 66,000-square-foot data center and office complex includes what may rank as among the largest computer server centers in the state. To ensure the safety and continuing operation of the center, the building includes biometric fingerprint and facial scanners and a snow-melt system in the rear utility yard, in addition to huge dual electrical transformers backed up by a pair of 2.5-megawatt generators.

Linglong He, Quicken Loans' chief technology officer, called the new center "another building block in Detroit's tech-driven comeback. The facility is a testament to the investment and innovation Quicken Loans puts into everything we do and provides us the resources we need to continue to grow well into the future."

Half of the center is occupied by members of Quicken's technology team and an equal sized 33,000-square-foot portion of the building is available to lease to other technology firms, space that includes a 10,000-square foot computer server room.

At a news conference at the center today, Gilbert said that the new center is part of Quicken's commitment to building the city's tech base.

"At Quicken, we say we're a technology company that happens to make home loans, and we really believe that," he said.

Quicken CEO Bill Emerson echoed that.

"Where else would we put this technology center except right here in downtown Detroit," Emerson said.

Integrated Design Solutions served as the architects for the project. Turner Construction served as contractors. Quicken's employees contributed ideas for the decoration of the center. About 25 to 50 employees will work there. Quicken did not reveal the cost of the facility.

Contact John Gallagher: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jgallagherfreep.