Cadillac announced plans for the Cadillac House at Vanderbilt—a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the individualized, bespoke client experience of the Cadillac CELESTIQ, an all-electric ultra-luxury sedan.
Located on the General Motors Global Technical Center campus, in Warren, Mich., the facility will allow clients to collaborate with CELESTIQ designers and a concierge for a custom commission experience. Cadillac will start the process of selected client engagements in late spring, with the facility welcoming its first clients in late summer.
“Every CELESTIQ is personally commissioned and working on-site with our Cadillac designers provides clients an elevated experience,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design, in a press release. “It’s a unique opportunity to collaborate with our design team, enabling clients to directly translate their vision of their CELESTIQ into a one-of-one piece of moving sculpture.”
The new Cadillac House will be named after auto designer Suzanne Vanderbilt, who, in her day, was one of only a few women working in automotive design industrywide. She joined GM Design in 1955, shortly before the Global Technical Center was inaugurated, and worked in the Cadillac studio.
Vanderbilt's early work included the design of two unique vehicles: a 1958 Eldorado Seville Coupe called Baroness, and the Cadillac Saxony convertible. She performed collaborative work with the Advanced Interior and Research Studios, designing safer vehicle interiors and securing two patents. Over the years, she provided essential mentorship to the next generation of female designers before retiring in 1977.
The building that Cadillac House at Vanderbilt inhabits—directly across the lake from the main entrance—originally served as Central Restaurant.
The personalization experience at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt is open to CELESTIQ clients around the world. For those who participate virtually, Cadillac says their journey remains highly personalized and also starts at the Cadillac House. It includes a one-on-one concierge experience to guide clients through the personalization process, while also providing them access to a Cadillac designer and additional exclusive services.
“From start to finish, the process is meticulously curated,” said Melissa Grady Dias, Cadillac global chief marketing officer. “And regardless of where clients choose to collaborate with the Cadillac team, we will offer an extraordinary variety of commission options, ensuring every desire for their vehicle can be fulfilled. Each CELESTIQ is tailored to reflect its owner’s tastes, which are conveyed directly to the design team.”
Select clients will be led through a design consultation process by a concierge, in addition to their CELESTIQ Certified Dealer of choice, who guides them through the journey.
Every CELESTIQ will be built at the Artisan Center, another facility on GM’s 67-year-old, 710-acre campus.
CELESTIQ is expected to arrive to clients in late spring of 2024. Production will be very limited, and CELESTIQ is available through inquiry only.
