When Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was dedicated in 1914, it became the tallest train station in the world at eighteen stories. The massive Beaux-Arts structure was designed by the same architects as New York’s Grand Central Terminal Warren & Wetmore and Reed and Stern-and was conceived as a kind of companion piece, ensuring that passengers would embark and arrive through similar grandeur.

At the height of its use, more than two hundred trains left the bustling Michigan Central every day for destinations throughout North America. The station’s centerpiece was its great waiting room, which was modeled after Roman baths. It boasted 55-foot tall vaulted and tiled ceilings with massive chandeliers and soaring Corinthian columns. The very height of magnificence, the station saw presidents, statesmen, and icons pass through its doors.

But as Detroit rose in prominence, Michigan Central Station became less and less useful, because the very cause of Detroit’s economic boom also spelled doom for its massive train station: the rise of the automobile. As the country moved toward air travel and focused on building a massive highway system, the grand age of train-travel began to decline.
Over the years, Michigan Central Station changed operators and owners as its patronage steadily waned. Gradually, the station’s amenities were downsized and eventually shuttered, creating an eerie effect for the few travelers passing through the giant building. Finally, in 1988 the last train left Michigan Central Station, plunging the building into decades of disuse. For decades, policymakers and entrepreneurs proposed uses for the building; it was alternately proposed as a police headquarters, a customs processing center, and a trucking hub. In 2009, it was confirmed for demolition by Detroit’s City Council and then saved by a lawsuit claiming its historic significance.

But mostly, the building decayed. It became a destination for vagrants, graffiti artists, urban explorers, even paintball enthusiasts. Looters snapped up the building’s decorative embellishments and scrappers stripped its copper wiring and brass fixtures. Michigan Central became a prominent symbol for the fall of once-mighty Detroit, an imposing marvel of broken-windows and an elegy for a lost mode of transportation.
However, in 2018 the building found an ironic savior: the Ford Motor Company. Paying $90 million for the site, the automaker plans to turn the station into the centerpiece of a new 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use campus, with room for 5,000 total workers (including 2,500 of Ford’s). When it is complete in 2022, the Ford’s workers will be focused on developing autonomous and electric cars and various “mobility solutions” (although there’s no word on whether they’ll be developing trains).

The four-year renovation effort will need to combat decades of weather damage, as decades of water and Detroit’s infamously harsh winters have taken their toll on the structure. At the heart of the project is the station’s famous waiting room. The vision is not to repurpose it but to restore it to its original grandeur, replacing broken plaster using 3D modeling technology and restoring gaps in the 21,000 square feet of the waiting room’s breathtaking Guastavino ceiling title.

Ultimately, the company hopes to establish a thriving corridor in Corktown (Detroit’s oldest neighborhood), acquiring a handful of other historic buildings in the area. The station’s concourse will contain shops and restaurants open to the public following a growing nationwide trend of repurposing historic structures for retail and hospitality applications.
As news of the restoration was announced, the Ford team received an anonymous confession about a particularly intriguing piece of architectural salvage: a massive clock that had once adorned the Station. The repentant thief carefully wrapped the clock and left it for pickup near an abandoned building, heartened by the knowledge that it would be returned to its home without any further damage-perhaps even to watch over crowds of busy people once again.

Originally Published in:
Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, regards. “Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.” by Euripides.
This site can be a stroll-by way of for all the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. With thanks!
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it.
I haven?¦t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I?¦ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
You are my breathing in, I own few web logs and occasionally run out from post :). “Fiat justitia et pereat mundus.Let justice be done, though the world perish.” by Ferdinand I.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours as of late, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty price enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the internet will be much more helpful than ever before.
I just could not depart your website prior to suggesting that I really loved the standard information a person supply in your visitors? Is going to be back regularly to check out new posts
I really enjoy reading on this web site, it has fantastic articles. “Something unpredictable but in the end it’s right, I hope you have the time of your life.” by Greenday.
Excellent website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!
Some genuinely excellent info , Gladiola I detected this. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly what is essential is invisible to the eye.” by Antoine De Saint-Exupery.
You have brought up a very good details, thankyou for the post.
549658 706635We offer the most effective practical and most applicable solutions. All our Sydney plumbers are experienced and qualified and are able to rapidly assess your difficulty and locate the very best answer. 505201
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I think other site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and wonderful user genial style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!
89665 291217Right after study quite a few the websites with your internet site now, and that i genuinely appreciate your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and are checking back soon. Pls have a look at my web page likewise and let me know in case you agree. 180534
737372 348343You created some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and discovered most individuals will go coupled with along with your web site. 976763
824676 91521Hey! Fantastic post! Please do tell us when we can see a follow up! 856391
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
I was recommended this website by means of my cousin. I’m no longer certain whether this submit is written by way of him as nobody else know such precise about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thank you!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, could test this? IE still is the market chief and a huge element of other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.
An attention-grabbing discussion is price comment. I think that you must write more on this subject, it won’t be a taboo subject however typically persons are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Somebody necessarily help to make critically articles I might state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual post amazing. Wonderful job!
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content!
Scratch a Russian and you find a Tartar.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your site. Do
you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
A number of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks
great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
My web blog; tracfone coupon
Really no matter if someone doesn’t know then its up to other
people that they will help, so here it takes place.
My blog post – tracfone 2022
Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will also help others.
Thank you for your articles. They’re very helpful to me. May I ask you a question?
Dude these articles are great. They helped me a lot.
Your articles are extremely helpful to me. Please provide more information!
Thanks for your post, it helped me a lot. It helped me in my situation and hopefully it can help others too.
Thank you for writing this post. I like the subject too.
Thanks for your post, it helped me a lot. It helped me in my situation and hopefully it can help others too.
Thank you for your articles. They are very helpful to me. May I ask you a question?
Thank you for posting this post. I found it extremely helpful because it explained what I was trying to say. I hope it can help others as well.
Yet another thing is that when evaluating a good on the internet electronics shop, look for web shops that are constantly updated, keeping up-to-date with the most recent products, the best deals, plus helpful information on goods and services. This will make sure that you are handling a shop which stays atop the competition and gives you things to make intelligent, well-informed electronics buying. Thanks for the critical tips I have learned through your blog.
266381 582675Having been merely seeking at helpful blog articles with regard towards the project research when My partner and i happened to stumble on yours. Thanks for this practical information! 403321
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Thank you for your help and this post. It’s been great.
Thanks for your help and for writing this post. It’s been great.
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is actually irritating. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.
Thanks for your help and for posting this. It’s been wonderful.
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am glad to seek out so many useful information right here within the publish, we want work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
Hi there, I found your site by the use of Google while searching for a similar matter, your web site got here up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this web site. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to grasp a lot approximately this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you simply can do with a few p.c. to force the message house a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
Excellent website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Thank you for posting such a wonderful article. It helped me a lot and I adore the topic.
Hey very cool website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?I am happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
You’ve been a big help to me. Thank you!
F*ckin¦ awesome issues here. I am very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look forward to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
May I request that you elaborate on that? Your posts have been extremely helpful to me. Thank you!
Thank you for writing about this topic. Your post really helped me and I hope it can help others too.
Thank you for posting this post. I found it extremely helpful because it explained what I was trying to say. I hope it can help others as well.
Dude these articles are amazing. They helped me a lot.
Dude these articles have been great. Thank you for helping me.
I must say you’ve been a big help to me. Thanks!
I think that is among the so much significant info for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. But want to statement on some common things, The site style is ideal, the articles is actually excellent : D. Good activity, cheers
Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
Thank you for posting such a wonderful article. It helped me a lot and I adore the topic.
Dude these articles were really helpful to me. Thanks a lot.
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
What is it about? I have some questions dude.
Thank you for writing this post. I like the subject too.
Please provide me with additional details on the matter
I really enjoyed reading this article
I really appreciate your help
May I have further information on the topic?
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
I always find your articles very helpful. Thank you!
Dude these articles were really helpful to me. Thanks a lot.
I always find your articles very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for writing this post. I like the subject too.
Thank you for your excellent articles. May I ask for more information?
It was really helpful to read an article like this one, because it helped me learn about the topic.
I am no longer sure where you are getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time finding out more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic information I was in search of this information for my mission.
I’ve to say you’ve been really helpful to me. Thank you!
Thanks for writing this article
I’ve to say you’ve been really helpful to me. Thank you!
You’ve been a big help to me. Thank you!
Please provide me with additional details on the matter
I enjoyed reading your piece and it provided me with a lot of value.
Dude these articles are amazing. They helped me a lot.
You’ve been a big help to me. Thank you!
Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your feeds or even I success you get right of entry to consistently rapidly.
Some tips i have always told persons is that while searching for a good internet electronics retail store, there are a few aspects that you have to take into account. First and foremost, you want to make sure to find a reputable plus reliable store that has received great testimonials and scores from other consumers and industry analysts. This will make sure that you are dealing with a well-known store that gives good program and assistance to its patrons. Thanks for sharing your opinions on this weblog.
I would love to add if you do not currently have an insurance policy or you do not remain in any group insurance, chances are you’ll well reap the benefits of seeking the assistance of a health broker. Self-employed or people who have medical conditions normally seek the help of a health insurance agent. Thanks for your writing.
This website online can be a walk-by means of for all of the info you wished about this and didn?t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you?ll positively discover it.
Do you wanna that your router covers wide areas with an internet connection. Then, you have to make a connection with the asus repeater. Get the detailed information from here.
“성인웹툰”Thanks for sharing
of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will certainly come back again.
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is really irritating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
I haven?t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂