Detroit Free Press Staff

UPDATE: Billionaire businessman Dan Gilbert announced this morning that Microsoft is moving its Southfield office to downtown Detroit. The company is said to have been considering a move to Detroit for months.

Microsoft will take about 40,000 square feet of space in the One Campus Martius building. The move includes a Microsoft Technology Center where clients of the software giant come to work directly with Microsoft staffers on specific projects.

"We're really excited to move down into the center of Detroit and also the center of a thriving digital economy," said Phil Sorgen, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft's U.S. Enterprise & Partner Group.

Related:

Microsoft's move boosts Detroit's credibility as tech hub

Adding Microsoft to downtown's growing roster of technology firms, including Compuware and Gilbert's Quicken Loans, could further enhance Detroit's emerging reputation as a technology hub.

[Meantime, Gilbert also recently unveiled ambitious plans to remake the long-vacant Detroit Free Press building on Lafayette. Read about that here.]

EARLIER:

Businessman Dan Gilbert and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan were set to announce Friday that another big tenant will relocate to downtown Detroit and real estate insiders suggest the tenant is software giant Microsoft.

Crowds gathered early at One Campus Martius for the announcement.

During the recent North American International Auto Show Gilbert said in a "fireside chat" interview that he would be announcing a major tenant move downtown in about a week. Real estate insiders immediately said he was likely talking about Microsoft, which currently has sales offices in the Southfield Town Center and is said to have been considering a move to Detroit for months.

►Related: Bedrock to turn old Free Press building into offices, retail, residences