Little Caesars tops off new world HQ

Little Caesars added a new topping to its world headquarters Tuesday — an evergreen tree — as it celebrated the placement of the final pieces of structural steel on its $150 million campus expansion.

The 234,000-square-foot building at Woodward and Columbia is expected to be complete in 2018. Also receiving its last structure beams this week is the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business at the corner of Woodward and Temple. When it opens, it will serve 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students, officials said.

“These celebrations represent a major step forward in our vision for an even more vibrant and dynamic city, region and state,” said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc. in a statement. “We’re proud to join with the ironworkers to celebrate these important milestones and recognize the tremendous efforts to bring these buildings to life.”

The use of trees for a “topping out” ceremony dates back to centuries-old Scandinavian tradition during the construction process.

Along for the ride on the steel beam Tuesday was a Little Caesars mascot and an American flag. Those in attendance at the ceremony included officials from CEO, Ilitch Holdings Inc., Little Caesars Enterprises, Brinker Christman JV, Midwest Steel Inc. and Ironworkers Local 25.

Ironworkers signed their names on the beams before they were hoisted into place.