This all makes what is happening now all the more remarkable. Last summer, Ford Motor Company announced it had bought the building, with plans to invest $740million to transform it into a world-leading research centre for ‘future mobility’. The very industry that signed the station’s death warrant in the first place is now set on resuscitating it as a beacon of sustainable transport. — The RIBA Journal
Oliver Wainwright pens a piece on the upcoming renovation of the Michigan Central Station, which was a celebrated icon of Detroit when it first opened in 1913. After the station closed in 1988 and was abandoned, it became the epitome of the city's ruin porn.
After buying the building last summer, Ford Motor Company will transform the ground floor into a public market-style space, while offices in the upper floors and neighboring buildings will house their 1.2 million square-foot “future mobility” Headquarters and Research Campus, which Snøhetta is designing.
In the article, Ford's construction manager Richard Bardelli tells Wainwright that the renovation project aims to turn Detroit into “the mobility capital of the world”.
Good news for architecture. However, I find it distressing that the only powerful agencies in urban development / preservation are megacorps. What was stopping the state of Michigan to create a "future mobility" agency -- which sounds kind of B.S. -- and use the same building? I guess the conventional wisdom is live by Amazon, die by Amazon.
All 5 Comments
Sad you had to dig up a six year old picture, you might have included one representing what the depot looked like when Ford purchased it, one reflecting the way it appears today or even a rendering of Ford's plans for the structure.
That's good to point out, Betty. When I think of the Central Station, in my mind's eye it looks exactly like that picture (my classmate at Cranbrook in 1995 did her thesis project on it - I'm very familiar with the building going back 20+ years). It has all new windows now and frankly with the new windows it looks *weird*.
I agree, particularly including the comment about it being nearly windowless. The office building windows were pretty famously replaced before the sale, it's like doubling down on misrepresentation.
Good news for architecture. However, I find it distressing that the only powerful agencies in urban development / preservation are megacorps. What was stopping the state of Michigan to create a "future mobility" agency -- which sounds kind of B.S. -- and use the same building? I guess the conventional wisdom is live by Amazon, die by Amazon.
Privatization of public assets and abdication of responsibility to the corporate citizens is how the wealthy like it.
About time! This is going to look amazing when done.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.