For CEO and President Matt Simoncini, the Innovation Center at 119 State Street in historic Capitol Park is the first step of many within the city he loves.
On Tuesday, Lear Corp. along with Mayor Mike Duggan and the heads of Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies invited the media to get to know the Innovation Center and to see the work that will take place within its walls.
Lear, which describes the space as a “world-class Innovation Center,” plans to develop new automotive products and technologies, incubate non-automotive business opportunities, collaborate with the College for Creative Studies on the next generation of automotive seating and vehicle interiors and work with the Wayne State University School of Engineering to develop applications for connected cars and alternative energy vehicles.
With almost 90 percent of its furniture designed or built in Detroit and other Michigan locations and featuring noted local graffiti artists, the Lear Innovation Center’s 35,000-square feet space includes an open first-floor gallery and showroom, modern office environments and work spaces designed to promote creativity as well as a rooftop garden for special events.
The building’s restoration is impressive. The first floor has the classic “Detroit” look with brick walls, exposed ductwork, big glass windows and cement floors. The exterior has been restored to its original Victorian Romanesque design with sleek signage with the Lear name. The result is an open space with wood, leather and rustic interior design through furniture and decorative accents.