Michigan Central Station Detroit building refurbishment, MI architecture, USA architectural design

Michigan Central Station Detroit Building Renewal

June 8, 2024

Michigan Central Station Celebrates Detroit and its Historic Reopening with Concert Seen Around the World.

Original Design: Warren and Wetmore, New York City

Renewal Design: Quinn Evans

The Beaux-Arts style architecture was designed by architects who had previously worked together on Grand Central Terminal in New York.

It was the tallest rail station in the world at the time of its construction in 1913.

Photos by Jason Keen/Michigan Central

Address: 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216, United States of America
Opened: December 26, 1913
Closed: 1988
Owner: Ford Motor Company
Architects: Whitney Warren, Charles Wetmore
Built: June 1912 – December 1913
Status: Closed
Area: 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m2)
Platforms: 10 island (historically); 4 (after renovation)
Rebuilt: 2024

Michigan Central Station Detroit Building Reopenng

DETROIT, June 7, 2024 — Last night, Ford Motor Company and Michigan Central welcomed Detroit and the world back to the iconic Michigan Central Station with an epic opening night concert on the front lawn of the once-abandoned building. In an evening defined by show-stopping performances, Detroit convened for a celebration like never before to mark the reopening of the historic landmark, which was exclusively live streamed on Peacock.

After standing vacant for 34 years, becoming an infamous symbol of Detroit around the world, the building was acquired by Ford Motor Co. in 2018. Over the next six years, more than 3,100 skilled-trades people worked 1.7 million hours to accomplish a restoration many thought couldn’t be done.

“Six years ago, we gathered here and dreamt of what was possible. We dared to dream that this station, which had become a symbol of a broken city, could once again shine as the symbol of the Motor City,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company. “I wanted to make Michigan Central Station a place where the best and the brightest could come together to solve our biggest challenges. I wanted the future of transportation to be created right here, in Detroit … where it was invented in the first place.”

“Michigan Central Station is filled with life once again,” said Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “Thank you to the thousands of Detroiters who came out last night to sing, dance, and celebrate the revival of The Station, and the millions more who shared in this moment with us from afar. Today, we continue festivities by welcoming the public back into this iconic building where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators will convene in creative collaboration to turn the page on Detroit’s next chapter.”

As the sun set over Detroit, the outdoor spectacular brought together a sell-out crowd of some 20,000 in front of The Station to share in the start of this new chapter for Detroit. Beyond the gates of Roosevelt Park, a dozen watch parties at local businesses and green spaces across the city brought together thousands more Detroiters to share in this landmark moment.

Bill Ford Jr. opened the show, welcoming the crowd to The Station, detailing its legacy, and sharing a preview of its role in the community in years to come. Throughout the evening, the event featured testimonials of startups at Newlab x Michigan Central and documentation of Michigan Central’s continued investment in innovative and inclusive mobility solutions.

Then came electrifying performances from Michigan natives Diana Ross, Big Sean and Jack White, and an all-star lineup of others, constituting the greatest assemblage of musical talent in Detroit since the legendary days of Motown.

Renowned Detroit-born rapper Eminem capped the extravaganza with a surprise appearance, performing a selection of his most notable songs including his latest release, “Houdini.”

To relive the night’s festivities, tune into NBC for a one-hour primetime special on Sunday, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

“Michigan Central Station is a living symbol of Detroit’s resurgence,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Thousands of innovators and entrepreneurs will soon call it home, pursuing their ideas right here in Michigan. With new buildings going up everywhere, new businesses being formed every day, and a growing population for the first time in 67 years, the evidence is undeniable—Detroit is on the move. Together, we will continue hosting world-class events, whether it’s a record-shattering NFL Draft or a 20,000-person strong concert with a generational lineup of Michigan musical talent. Let’s throw our buffs on and show the world that Detroit is back like it never left.”

Ahead of the concert, Detroit icons, local leaders and community members gathered for Michigan Central Honors, a ceremony to recognize individuals’ unmatched impact on the city’s story and our world. The intimate event featured remarks from Mayor Duggan and Michigan Central Chair Mary Culler, a reading of Eminem’s spoken word “Letter to Detroit” by Patti Smith, and honored Jack White, The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Illa J, and Slum Village/J Dilla (posthumous recognition).

“This was a day Detroiters have waited to see for 40 years, and it was worth the wait,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Thanks to Bill Ford’s vision and our incredibly talented Detroit artists, our city celebrated a special day it will remember forever, and people watching from across the country saw another example of Detroit’s talent and continued revitalization.”

Last night, Bill and Lisa Ford also announced the extension of the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Campaign, after surpassing its initial goal of raising at least $10 million to establish permanent endowments for 10 Detroit area youth-serving nonprofit organizations in partnership with the Children’s Foundation. The extension will run through the culmination of OPEN House on June 16, and the Christman/Brinker Corktown Transformation Joint Venture will generously match gifts made during this time period dollar-for-dollar up to $150,000. For those who wish to contribute, QR codes will be placed inside The Station.

Festivities continue today with the start of OPEN House, welcoming the public for the first time into The Station’s historically restored ground floor before commercial occupants begin moving in this fall. From June 7-16, Michigan Central and Ford anticipate that more than 60,000 people will tour The Station and learn about its history, restoration, and next chapter through a range of exhibits, entertainment, art, and more.

Starting June 21, The Station will be open 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays to the general public. Tickets are not required.

For more information about hours, activations and additional summer programming at The Station following OPEN festivities, please visit our website at https://michigancentral.com/open/.

Eminem, Diana Ross, Big Sean, and Jack White headlined a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular in the heart of Detroit following a ceremony honoring some of the city’s greatest cultural icons.

NBC are to broadcast one-hour primetime special nationally on Sunday, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The show kicked off 10 more days of festivities to celebrate historic restoration of iconic landmark, including tours of The Station’s ground floor.

Railway Station building designs

The original building design was by New York City’s Warren and Wetmore, whilst the refurbishment was done by Quinn Evans.

Michigan Central

Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities, and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future.

By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of more than 600 employees from over 100 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility and society. Learn more at michigancentral.com.

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.

Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.

Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

Photo Credit: Jason Keen/Michigan Central

Michigan Central Station Detroit Building Refurbishment images / information from the Ford Motor Company, USA

Location: 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216, Michigan, United States of America