After years of neglect, Michigan Central Station stands resurrected, symbolizing Detroit’s rebirth and Ford’s bold vision for the future. This grand reopening, driven by a relentless commitment to innovation and community, marks a transformative moment not only for Detroit but for the entire state of Michigan. It transcends the mere restoration of an architectural gem; it embodies a deep-seated commitment to Detroit’s development and economic revitalization.
Ford Motor Company’s six-year, $740 million renovation project has done more than restore an architectural masterpiece; it has reignited the spirit of Detroit, a city defined by resilience and ingenuity. When Ford acquired the abandoned train station in 2018, the goal was clear: to transform it into the centerpiece of Michigan Central, a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Corktown. From June 6-16, the public can witness the fruits of this monumental effort during Michigan Central OPEN, where the station’s meticulously restored ground floor will be unveiled.
Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford, captures the essence of this endeavor: “Michigan Central means a great deal to us all. In many ways, this building tells the story of our city. This Station was our Ellis Island – a place where dreamers in search of new jobs and new opportunities first set foot in Detroit. But once the last train pulled out, it became a place where hope left. In 2018, I decided it was time to change that by reimagining this station as a place of possibility again.”
The transformation of Michigan Central Station is not merely a restoration project; it’s a visionary leap towards a brighter future. Ford’s investment underscores its unwavering commitment to Detroit, aiming to make the station a hub of innovation, creativity, and economic growth. This ambitious project is a testament to the city’s resilience and its capacity for reinvention.
Ford and Michigan Central have assembled a dream team of architects, engineers, and craftsmen to breathe new life into this Beaux-Arts marvel. From its classical façade to its ornate interiors, including the Grand Hall with its 54-foot Guastavino tile vaulted ceiling, every detail has been painstakingly restored. Over 1.7 million hours have been spent meticulously returning the station to its original architectural grandeur while incorporating cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to support its next chapter.
“Everything Ford could save, we did, and other elements were re-created through technology and tenacity,” said Melissa Dittmer, Head of Place at Michigan Central. “At the same time, it was important to us to respect The Station’s extraordinary past, including its ongoing role in Detroit’s cultural landscape. Weaving these histories through repurposed, state-of-the-art spaces will enable us to create an inclusive, forward-looking building that can propel innovation for the next 100 years.”
“I wanted Michigan Central to be beautifully restored but also reimagined for so much more,” Bill Ford emphasizes. “This will be a place for the community to enjoy and a destination for visitors from all over. We will have restaurants, music, art, and great retail. And the innovation that will happen here, with startups and companies big and small, will help ensure Detroit preserves its title as the Motor City for generations to come.”
The reopening of Michigan Central Station signifies a powerful commitment to collaboration and community engagement. Ford is among the first tenants, with employees from its Ford Model e and Ford Integrated Services teams moving into newly renovated office spaces. By the end of the year, 1,000 Ford employees will work across the Michigan Central district, with a goal of 2,500 by 2028.
Beyond Ford, the station aims to attract visionary companies to Detroit, providing 640,000 square feet of cultural, technological, community, and convening spaces designed to inspire creative collaboration between established companies, universities, startups, youth initiatives, students, and other stakeholders.
Newlab at Michigan Central, launched just over a year ago, has already grown into a diverse community of over 600 employees from nearly 100 companies and startups. This hub provides an unparalleled testing environment, including the first electrified public road and the Bagley Mobility Hub, alongside policy tools like the Transportation Innovation Zone, which fast-tracks testing technology pilots.
Originally designed by architects Warren & Wetmore and Reed & Stem, the same team behind New York’s Grand Central, Michigan Central Station first opened its doors in 1913. It saw 4,000 daily passengers at its peak but was shuttered in 1988, suffering severe neglect for three decades.
“Our construction teams have accomplished what many thought was impossible,” says Ron Staley, Executive Director of Historic Preservation for Christman-Brinker, the Detroit-based joint venture that led the restoration work. “The result is amazing, like no other project any of us have worked on in our careers, and I look forward to everyone experiencing the space at this week’s opening and for generations to come.”
The restoration of Michigan Central Station blends old and new technologies to ensure historical accuracy while embracing modern advancements. Ford and its partners sourced over 600 tons of limestone from the same Indiana quarry that provided the original stone for the station’s exterior over a century ago. A Michigan tradesman spent 428 hours hand-carving a replica of a single column capital from one of these limestone blocks for the building’s north entrance.
The renovation also honors the station’s more recent history, preserving select sections of graffiti art that adorned its walls during its years of abandonment. This thoughtful blend of old and new highlights the building’s ongoing role in Detroit’s cultural landscape.
The station’s reopening will bring the Detroit community together to collaborate and test ideas, bolstering Michigan Central’s long-standing commitments to growing the local mobility ecosystem by engaging new voices and fostering greater community participation and development. A dedicated youth programming floor in the station’s tower will provide 23,000 square feet of flexible space to house local and national organizations focused on growing the next generation.
The station and its surrounding area will become a vibrant destination for Detroiters and visitors alike, featuring a growing network of green spaces, local programming and events, arts and cultural opportunities. Michigan Central unveiled the first renderings of a new public park under development on the station’s former rail yard, a key connector along the 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway. Designed for sustainability and inclusivity, it will have gardens, playscapes, community gathering and event spaces, and tech-enabled zones for Detroiters to innovate and collaborate.
In the coming months, the station will also begin a phased activation of innovative and experiential retail and dining opportunities. Michigan Central supports local residents and small businesses with high-quality and credentialed skills-training programs that address barriers in Detroit’s talent pipeline and connect participants with opportunities for in-demand jobs.
From June 6-16, Ford Motor Company and Michigan Central will host Michigan Central OPEN, celebrating this historic moment in Detroit’s history. Festivities begin on June 6 with an opening night spectacular, Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central, featuring a lineup of some of Detroit’s biggest stars. The 90-minute concert, “headlined by some of Detroit’s biggest stars,” will be produced by the Emmy-winning Jesse Collins Entertainment, a production company known for producing Super Bowl Halftime Shows. The sold-out show will feature short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region. Free tickets for the concert were claimed within minutes of their release.
“Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central” will be available for streaming on Peacock this Thursday, providing an alternative for those who couldn’t secure free tickets.
NBCUniversal’s streaming service announced in an email to subscribers that the concert would be part of its June lineup for sports and live events. Organizers had previously confirmed the event would be streamed.
Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the show set to start at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and for those unable to attend in person, the concert will be streamed live on Peacock at 8:30 p.m., with a one-hour special airing nationally on NBC at 7 p.m. Sunday. This event is not just for Detroit; it’s for everyone who believes in the power of music, the strength of community, and the promise of renewal.
Starting June 7, the station’s doors will open to the public for the 10-day, immersive OPEN House experience, allowing visitors to see the landmark’s restored first floor. Michigan Central’s art program will also unveil a new iteration of Reddymade’s “me + you,” a critically acclaimed interactive sculpture, specifically for Michigan Central.
The reopening of Michigan Central Station is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and perseverance. It marks a new beginning for Detroit, a city that has always been defined by its resilience and innovation. This historic restoration not only preserves an architectural gem but also sets the stage for a future where Detroit continues to be a hub of creativity, technology, and community spirit. As the station welcomes back the community, it stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, a symbol of Detroit’s past, present, and future.
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