Quicken Loans founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert is optimistic his company's move to downtown Detroit will spur a entrepreneurial revolution on what he's calling WEBward Avenue.

"We're going to work with all the folks in the city and hopefully build something special for a new era here," Gilbert told host Paul W. Smith this morning on WJR-AM 760, noting he and more than 700 employees moved into the new Campus Martius headquarters on Monday.

"We think there can be hundreds of entrepreneurial technology-type companies, service companies, new-wave companies, brain-economy companies that can line up to create a collaboration and synergy that nobody's ever quite experienced in this area."

Mayor Dave Bing expressed similar optimism on Monday. "

," he said.

The new headquarters -- which some say could rival Google's Ann Arbor extension as the coolest office space in Southeast Michigan -- features a number of amenities, including leather recliners, bean bag chairs and a slushie machine. The walls, halls and computer servers are lined with 19 graffiti murals by Corktown artist Antonio "

" Agee, which you can view in the gallery above.

"The feel is just incredible," Gilbert said. "Most people have never worked downtown in their entire life, me included. There's just a certain feeling when you're looking out those windows and seeing buildings and activity and getting outside a little bit.

"There's a certain buzz and energy you just don't get unless you're in a downtown area, and it's just a great feeling."

Of course, in addition to moving businesses to Detroit, Gilbert remains the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose tumultuous off-season included the highly-publicized loss of LeBron James and the failed courtship of Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo.

James, in the latest salvo between superstar and owner, recently told GQ Magazine he didn't think Gilbert "ever cared about LeBron."

Listen to Gilbert



Gilbert said this morning the comments left him speechless, "but I guess in a radio interview, that's not a good answer."

"This goes long and deep. I think the whole Cavaliers organization, we've definitely moved on. We really don't even discuss him anymore. He is now a player for the Miami Heat."

Gilbert, a Michigan State alumni, was far more gracious in his comments regarding Izzo, suggesting the coveted coach did well by his family and legacy when he decided to stay a Spartan for life.

"He did the right thing, and I wish him and his family the best of luck," Gilbert said. "Hopefully, they'll kick some butt this year in the tournament. They've got a great team."



Listen to the full WJR interview with Gilbert in the embedded player above.