For my grown-up job, I work with a lot of ad agencies. One of them that I have worked with for years is Lowe Campbell Ewald.  Up until recently it was just Campbell Ewald until they partnered up with  London based firm (within their parent company) called Lowe. This sparked a new logo and a glut of items with the old logo. I got my hands on a collection of glassware and thought it would be fun to do a cocktail. Paired up with the merger, the agency left their long time home in Warren, MI to move to Downtown Detroit. They moved on 1/21 and I got in for some meetings and a tour the following week.

I’m very much an arm chair Detroit fan. I love the city. I go their for dinner, movies and events. But I enjoy the creature comforts that the burbs offer me. That being said, it’s great to see another business move down there to bring more creative minds, youthful energy and money to the city.

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LCE took over and remodeled what used to be a warehouse for Hudson’s Department store. It’s part of the Ford Field Stadium Complex and you actually walk through the stadium to get there.

The stadium looks queit when there aren’t thousands of fans cheering for the football team.

Right below where I took the above picture is this giant logo cut into the floor. I thought this is a shot I would probably not get during a game since their aren’t hundreds of people walking over it.

The office looks incredible. They have 6 floors and it feels natural even though it is in a giant warehouse. You would also think that it would be filled with echos but the use of soft materials and white noise generators works well. We had conversations and were not yelling at each other even over a short distance. Great work by the sound engineers.

There is lots of natural materials and plants to breakup the concrete. All the wood is reclaimed from Detroit.

One of the most impressive parts of the building is the 3 story video wall. Here is a view from the top and below is a view from the bottom. I blurred out the images in case anything sensitive was on the wall.

The view from below is even more daunting. I can’t wait to play some Mario Cart on this screen.

From the beginning of construction, I heard rumors about the tree house. It turns out there are two. These structures are perched over the library and can only be accessed by ladder.

A catwalk connects the two.

Inside the tree house you find comfy chairs, network connect, power and a quiet place to have a meeting or get some work done.

To commemorate their move, I developed a cocktail for the occasion. Using the glassware from the old building, I bring in a Detroit liquor (Two James Gin) which is a London style product. See what I did there? Lowe + CE? I mixed that up with some Cocchi Americano to make a riff on a Perfect Martini. To that I add some Bittermen’s Hellfire Shrub (few drops) a touch of lemon for brightness and garnish with mint. The cocktail is surprisingly balanced and very refreshing. I served it on the rocks but nothing is stopping you from serving this up in a coupe glass too. You can buy yourself a handy Detroit, MI cutting board at The Henry Ford Museum Store.

LCE in the D Cocktail

– 1.5 oz Two James Gin
– 1.5 oz Cocchi Americano Rosa
– 1/2 barspoon of lemon juice (a quick squeeze)
– 2-4 drops of Bittermen’s Hellfire Shrub
– Garnish with Mint
– Serve on the Rocks or Neat in a Coupe

Congrats on your move. Looking forward to more visits to the office and video games on the big video game screen. Cheers to Detroit.

Budmo!