Historic Detroit

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

Michigan Central Station - (Exterior - post-renovation)

Michigan Central Station

Michigan Central Station on Jun 13, 2024. The two people on the lower right provide some sense of dimension. This image was selected as the cover photo for the book "The Station: The Fall and Rise of Michigan Central"

Michigan Central Station on Jun 13, 2024. The two people on the lower right provide some sense of dimension. This image was selected as the cover photo for the book "The Station: The Fall and Rise of Michigan Central"

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Michigan Central Station on Jun 13, 2024. The two people on the lower right provide some sense of dimension. This image was selected as the cover photo for the book "The Station: The Fall and Rise of Michigan Central"
A view of Michigan Central Station from a distance, looking west – Photo from Oct. 24, 2026
A view of the Michigan Central Station from a distance - Photo from Oct. 25, 2025
An early morning view of Michigan Central Station from the Lee Plaza - Photo from Aug 29, 2025
A view of Michigan Central Station from a distance – Photo from Oct. 24, 2026
A view of Michigan Central Station - Photo from Dec. 2, 2025
A view of Michigan Central Station - Photo from Dec. 2, 2025
A view of Michigan Central Station with Holiday decorations already up - Photo from Nov. 17, 2025
A view of Michigan Central Station - Photo from Dec. 2, 2025
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 of Michigan Central Station from a distance - Photo from Dec. 12, 2025
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
Michigan Central Station on Nov. 16, 2024
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.
Michigan Central Station facade in early Apr 2024 with the new "Residences at Water Square" tower on the right.
Michigan Central Station as seen from Newark St. during a spectacular sunrise on Apr 7, 2024.
"Michigan Central Station" with the "Bagley Mobility Hub" on the right on Apr 7, 2024.
"Michigan Central Station" and "Newlab at Michigan Central Building" during spring 2024
This mid-August 2024 view from 15th Street captures the northeast elevation of Michigan Central Station.
The rails included in the fence design were removed during various phases of track demolition at the station. Once the fence design was proposed, the best pieces from the piles of rail were carefully selected handed over to skilled ironworkers at Midwest Steel (known for their carriage house ironwork), they crafted the fence bollards and large rail benches that now enhance the station's east side. Picture taken in August 2024.
Michigan Central Station on Jun 9, 2024
Michigan Central Station lit up in blue lights in honor of the Detroit Lions game on September 8, 2024. 

The Detroit Lions opened their 2024 season with a 26-20 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field.
Michigan Central Station on Sep 7, 2024 - Loved the cold with a touch of warmth.
Michigan Central Station from a fresh perspective - September 22, 2024
Michigan Central Station from a fresh perspective - Jan. 11, 2025