Transformational work on landmark Michigan station is setting the stage for Detroit’s urban renaissance.
As part of its commitment to Detroit, Buro Happold has reimagined Michigan Central Station by Ford Motor Company, alongside architect Quinn Evans. The centrepiece of Michigan Central’s innovation hub connects Detroit’s past to its promising future through historic restoration, innovation and community engagement.
Guided by a world-class team, including architect Quinn Evans, Buro Happold supported Ford Motor Company’s vision to create a dynamic centrepiece for the future of mobility and 21st-century work environments. The adaptive reuse of the 640,000ft2 Michigan Central Station now anchors the 30-acre Michigan Central district, offering over 1.2m ft2 of office, community and retail space. The transformation is drawing local and global interest, driving economic development, job creation and investment in cutting-edge technologies.
Michigan Central Station was the main inter-city passenger rail depot in Detroit. Built for the Michigan Central Railroad, it was rushed into service early due to a fire at the city’s existing depot on 26 December 1913 and remained open for business until 1988. With a train depot and 13-story office tower with a roof height of 230 feet, it was the world’s tallest rail station when constructed. The project also reflects Buro Happold’s commitment to Detroit, one of city’s most recent success stories.
Buro Happold’s team, led by principal Adam Whitt, played a pivotal role in the transformation of Michigan Central Station. Buro Happold provided comprehensive engineering services, including MEP design, daylighting analysis, energy performance modelling and front-end studies using computational fluid dynamics. The result was an energy-efficient building that breathed new life into this historic landmark.
Michigan Central’s innovation ecosystem is a first-of-its-kind mobility testing platform, offering a world-leading innovation hub to develop new solutions for transportation and access that are “equitable and environmentally sustainable, to help people get around and lead better lives,” said Ford Motor Co.
With project leaders, including mobility expert Francesco Cerroni, Buro Happold provided mobility planning, multimodal streets design, traffic modelling and approvals, as well as e-mobility planning, pedestrian modelling, equity planning and business case formation.
The project design team developed solutions for transforming the neighbourhood and existing buildings alike. Located between the historic neighbourhoods of Corktown and Southwest Detroit, Michigan Central is anchored by a vibrant and inclusive 30-acre campus.
Buro Happold senior partner and chair of the global board, Craig Schwitter, commented: “The reopening of Michigan Central Station represents a next chapter for Detroit. As initial tenants begin moving into revitalised spaces over the coming months, the station will become an innovation hub and vibrant destination for all to enjoy, featuring ample retail, restaurants and hospitality offerings.
“The successful restoration of this famous train station, by the same architect that designed Grand Central, does more than merely create offices and community spaces – it sets the stage for Detroit’s urban renaissance.”
