Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Michigan Central Station - Post-Renovation Exterior

Michigan Central Station during sunset when the Detroit Lions won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Jan 21, 2024

The Michigan Central Station on the right as seen in March 2023, four months before its alleged grand opening.

A view at the Southwest elevation as seen from Vernor Hwy. in August 2023

Michigan Central Station lit up from both sides on May 6th, 2023

Renovation almost finished - the Michigan Central Station in Jan. 2023

Michigan Central Station during a foggy morning in Jan. 2023

In the final stages of renovation - Michigan Central in January 2023

No other building symbolizes the past, present and future of Detroit more than Michigan Central Station. When this soaring Beaux-Arts building opened in 1913, it was the tallest train station in the world for a time and Detroit was prospering. The station’s opening coincided with the peak of rail travel in America, and with Detroit’s rise as a global leader in industry and innovation.

At its busiest, the station handled 200 trains and 4,000 customers daily. As Detroit’s economy slowed, so did the traffic coming in and out of Michigan Central Station. The final train departed in 1988 and it sat abandoned until Ford became the new owner in 2018.

Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station - almost finished on June 24th, 2023

Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station - almost finished on June 24th, 2023

Roosevelt Park on Jun 24, 2023

Roosevelt Park on June 28, 2023 when it was officially opened.

MCS as of July 1st, 2023

MCS as of July 1st, with Roosevelt Park officially open

MCS and the Book Repository Building as of July 1st, 2023

Sculpture above main entrance, photo from July 1st, 2023

Detail shot of upper floors and cornice, July 1st, 2023

MCS as seen on July 8th, 2023

MCS as seen on July 8th, 2023

MCS as seen from Roosevelt Park on July 8th, 2023

A picture taken in July 2023 after heavy rainfall

Full moon over the MCS cornice on Aug. 1, 2023

Walkway from Southwest Greenway Parking to the train station

Michigan Central Station as seen from the former Book Depository in August 2023

Michigan Central Station as seen from Michigan Ave. in early December 2023

Michigan Central on Dec. 17th 2023

Michigan Central Station during dense fog on Jan 23, 2024

Michigan Central Station on Jan 21, 2024

Michigan Central Station during a spectacular "low winter sunrise" in February 2024.