They started actively protecting it years ago, and the Ford Motor Company owns it now and is nearing completion of renovations. I rode by it two weeks ago and it's looking good.
The Maroun family secured the building in 2010. However, they bought the property in the early 90s. I was surprised to learn it closed in 1988. By 2000, it looked like it had been abandoned for over 30 years.
I work in construction in the Detroit area and alot of fellow union members have told me horror stories about working there during the renovation. One that sticks out is have a portion of a ceiling collapse on people trying to work on it.
I'm part of the security team protecting this property. I'm honored to be one of the people involved in bringing this building back to its former glory even if I just play a very small part. 😎
that's super cool!! how far along have they gotten inside? have they gotten an the garbage out? it seemed like an insurmountable task to clean the place up from the state I saw it in, years ago now. I wonder how original they're going to keep it looking? I'd love to see inside, even just the lobby, I wonder if they've replaced the chandelier? I have so many questions, lol... I just love the building so much.
Not abandoned anymore! I work across the street from this building at a restaurant called bobcat bonnnies. In the past two years they've put so much work into it. It's been amazing seeing it come so far. When I moved up here it looked quite dilapidated with many broken windows. Now it looks great again. The whole neighborhood of corktown is coming so far along with new hotels, homes, stores and all kind of construction projects constantly going on daily. In just the few years i have worked over there it has all changed/improved so much and i have a feeling it is only going to continue to improve everyday! The mayor of Detroit even had his state of the city address there this year. Historic!
I went to Michigan Central Station concert last night, and today I took the tour inside Michigan Central Station. It's absolutely beautiful inside thanks to Bill Ford's vision. I literally wanted to hug the station.
@@rubydawn1 Maybe outside, but not inside. There was marble walls and floors in the corridors and chandeliers on each floor. The offices had oak flooring, desks, and chairs. I worked at the MCS 1975-84...on nearly every floor except the 12th and 13th (top).
Detroiter here, just one statement of yours i want to comment on. "Detroit saves its masterpieces" While this is true for certain exceptions like the Book tower and MCS, Detroit has lost many architectural masterpieces over the years. The Illitch family (Little Caesars Owners) and Dan Gilbert (Quicken Loans owner) played an enormous role in this. Downtown, around Comerica park and LCA, the residential houses that once stood there were masterpieces. Only a few remain in that area, like the Whitney for example. Next time youre in the D and pay $25 to park at a District Detroit (owned by the illitches) parking lot, just remember this comment and that a beautiful piece of history once stood there. pizza pizza
Well, you do realize all those building were stripped of all the copper and metals in them so tearing them down is more cost effective them restoring them. Don't blame Ilich, blame all the scrappers and trashbags that messed them up in the first place.
@@nunyab.1678 No, what messed them up in the first place was letting those structures get to the point where metal scrappers and vandals could get in and do their dirty deed. Whoever purchased those properties should have hired security detail to protect them. But the new owners DID NOT CARE because they had other plans for the property. "Tear down the old and put up the new." The sad truth is, the new is rarely as good as the old that was demolished. It's either a parking lot or cheap (and I do mean cheap) construction that only has a 30 year lifespan at best, that replaces the opulence and uniqueness of what is demolished.
Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans has done a lot of repairs and restorations to several historic downtown buildings in Detroit. He has brought many of them back from decayed ruin. So I would not be too critical of Dan Gilbert because he has been a savior for that city. I wish that he would come to Niagara Falls NY and help us save some of our remaining historic buildings and bring them back to life.
As a Detroiter, I must point out that the Michigan Central Station never did live up to its expectations. The construction of the station was a high-stakes project. They were expecting that the office tower, integral with the new station, would, through the addition of many banks and business offices, render Woodward Avenue obsolete. It didn't happen. The office complex portion of MCS was never used to about 40% of capacity. Many businesses preferred Downtown.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ford filled that office space up more than it had ever been before. I know before Ford starting redoing their main campus here in Dearborn they were hurting for office space (at one point they had space taken up in the local mall for offices even).
That's not surprising, there probably wasn't much directly around the station compared to downtown. I'm sure that there is alot more there nowadays than back in the stations heyday, such as all the restaurants in Mexican town and Cork town.
@@Harey0407 I'd be surprised if they managed to fill it up. It was a good idea when they started but now with c19 showing that you don't need a ton of office space for employees it's might be in trouble. My Dad works for Ford and has been working from home for close to 2 years now, my brother works for Volkswagon and he has been working from home just as long.
A friend of mine went to architectural school. He told me that in Europe buildings are built to last at least 100 years. An American strip mall has about a 20 year lifespan. I completely agree with you, it is a shame!!
@@followyourheart1366 That can't be right. First, no major company would purchase a spot in a strip mall. They pay to remodel it how they want inside, so moving after 20 years is insane. Not to mention if a company leaves, who will they get in for another lease cycle at the end of a building's life? They last about 20 years when abandoned, depending on the area. In contrast, where I live in NY (with snow, ice, heat, etc) we have had the same strip malls since 1970. New ones were built 10 years ago too and they still look wonderful. I fully think he meant when abandoned. Brick buildings will last ages. Wooden buildings with drywall won't. Because if he meant what you said, how would any building in Europe still exist? There's so many that are centuries upon centuries old...
It seems like all the innovation and new technology of construction is in finding ways to make construction cheaper not better. Trying to make things close to as good as before with cheaper materials not stronger and definitely not beautiful just cheaper.
The tearing down of the original Pennsylvania Railway Station in NYC and the reaction by Citizens of the United States, the Landmark Preservation Commission was created.
Won't happen. Our dependency on oil and it's connection to our politicians will make sure that a cheaper faster way of doing things will never happen. Even though the infrastructure has existed longer than most Americans have been alive.
@@yooper6161 not to mention that there are so many laws and regulations regarding rail travel. Even the Acela train doesn't travel its full speed. Every time it comes close to a station or crossing it has to slow down. With so many crossing and stations along its route it would spend a grand total of 5 minutes at full speed. O way a high-speed rail would ever be made unless it's elevated and mag-lev which is super expensive.
I’ve been in there! The basement was full of like three feet of water, which was incredibly creepy. I wonder how many bodies they found in there when they drained it, honestly I would have LOVED to be on the crew that hauled all the trash out of it. A lot of your photos actually show it with the new windows in it, it’s so weird to see it like that after seeing it with every window busted out for years.
@@cletusbeauregard1972 that's so cool!! I would love to hear what he has to say about the experience, like what was the strangest thing he saw in there? Indeed, the building was still beautiful inside despite its state of decay. it was such a mess though, it seemed impossible to clean it all up and repair everything.
You skipped the period from 1995-2018 when the Moroun family owned it. The billionaire, who also owns the Ambassador Bridge between US and Canada sought to expand their business. The station became a bargaining chip with the state, promising to redevelop if they were granted rights to build the new bridge.
Oh Lord ...always some scam with no real intent to deliver. I did know about this. Thanks. So many residential properties are owned by the rich and sit to rot. I don't doubt your post.
The Moroun family finally secured the building with a fence in 2010. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan secured an agreememt around 2014 where in exchange for the city giving a piece of land next to the bridge the family would need for a second span, the train station would get new windows. Duggan said he was tired of the train station being used for ruin porn and wanted to make it look more appealing to redevelop.
There's a restored railway that goes between Utica, NY and Old Forge, NY. From there you can book a boat excursion through the Chain-of-Lakes. I went with my friend. When the boat did it's turn around, I said to her, do you realize that were 200 miles from where we started out and II'm not the least bit tired from traveling? She thought a moment and agreed. Traveling 200 miles by car on the other hand is exhausting.
We have documented the ongoing renovation of Ford Motor Company's Train Station along with Detroit's revival! The area will be the center of Ford's Self Driving Vehicle Corktown Campus. Detroit's River Walk has been named the nation's finest, and new renovations and construction are city wide!
@@philippreitshammer It has been rated the best in the country by some reputable publications. That’s as it is now & sure to be much better when the old Uniroyal portion is completed.
@@wmw3629 Yeah but knowing the site makes me wonder. Nothing special about it but of course Detroit gets support from many different sides which is of course good.
I had a great uncle who worked for MCS starting in 1944 up until the building closed. I've been sending him photos of the station being renovated and he's ecstatic that it's being restored.
My father also worked there during the same time period. When it was shutting down, many of the employees were allowed to take beautiful, antique pieces of furniture, fixtures, etc. That was an incredibly beautiful station inside.
I worked for Penn Central RR/Conrail from 1975-84. One of my fondest memories was playing in a charity baseball game vs management. On my first at bat, I hit a 3 run "inside the park" homer!! Had to virtually push the 2 runners ahead of me to cross home plate...so that I could as well.
I can remember taking a train with my grandmother to Mississippi from there yrs ago. It was a busy station then. It could be used by all transit Greyhound,Dot, Amtrak,hot rail from the airport to the city. Could be a casino with hotel space. Just my thoughts.
As a truck driver Iused to come down the Fisher in the evening and would see the evening sky through all those vacant windows and it was beautiful but melancholy. Then, after being away from the area for a while I cam by it and saw the renovation starting. It seriously just made me happy.
One of 3 great monuments i always thought once reclaimed would mark a great turning point for my beautiful city. The book is done and shining next should be the fountain in Palmer Park.
Well done. Great script writing! Now that you have sung the historical song, you should do a video once a year on the progress of restoring the site, showing tours of what has been done and what has been planned. The challenges of any great project is part of history, too.
Japanese imports were not significant in the US auto market until after the oil crisis of 1973, and not a major factor until after the oil crisis caused by the fall of the Shah of Iran in the late 1970's. This video also ignores the fact the rail travel everywhere in the US declined because of the universal ownership of automobiles coupled with the construction of the interstate highway system, and the rise of air travel.
You are correct. Thank you. Another contributing factor to Detroit’s decline was the infamous “white flight” to the suburbs. Part of my family stayed and raised my cousins in Detroit, but my parents left and raised us in the small Village of Clarkston. That was a wonderful way to grow up, but I’ve always felt strange about being part of the flight, which diminished the tax money supporting the educational and municipal funds. It’s good to see that some folks still value the city and want to invest in it!
Thank you, Mary Donohoe, I agree with you completely. You have a first person perspective on this, which is always valuable. I should also say that this was a basically good video, and that I too am glad that Detroit is begnning to recover.
love rail travel my brothers and sister and son all went from Montreal to Halifax it was so fun we had our sleeper cars and the food was so good we got to spend time together its a must do
Would have loved to learn more about the train station in its heyday. Pics from then, tenants in the office tower, etc. Nice video but could have been about half a dozen other buildings in Detroit. Great job!
I worked for a fab shop in south west Detroit about a year ago and they would send us old rusty I beams and we would make a exact copy out of new steel and send them back, I'm happy to say a few of my welds are part of that building.
@@markvolpe2305 Not as of 2020, asbestos abatement and roofing projects have halted indoor events for at least 2 years. The concourse tile ceiling is requiring shoring of a safety net.
When I was younger, I went to Buffalo with some friends. I seen cars flipped over, kids playing in leaking fire hydrants and everything was old. It felt like I had stepped onto the movie set of "The Planet of the Apes" I always assumed that Michigan was the same after that experience
One of my best friends lives across Michigan Ave from the depot. It remains sealed up, weather tight, and they have cleaned a lot of the external blackening, now. It's difficult to know how far along it is inside, because Ford is hush-hush about any progress.
5:28 To the far end, this is either the entrance to the women’s waiting room or men’s waiting room. Apparently, the individuals who were riding alone would use these rooms. These waiting rooms were situated at either end of the grand waiting room.
At timestamp 6:57 Although this image is probably stock image, I don't think it's from 1967. The car on the right is a Chevy Vega, debuting in 1970 and the bumper on the Oldsmobile *LOOKS* like pre-five MPH bumper, about 1972.
My grandfather was in the national guard and was involved in the Detroit riots but he unfortunately passed away before he could share his experience about it.
I learned a lot from this video. I had no idea this building even existed or its history. I worked for Chrysler in Highland Park MI in 1978-1979 and never heard a word from anyone about the station. This is the first I ever heard of it, 42 years after I lived there!!! The only railroad I knew about was SEMTA, along the old Grand Trunk RR, which I rode once because I didn't want to drive I-75 in the snow. It dropped me off at Chrysler Center in the same place I crossed into the complex from the parking lot. Thank for the lesson!
My entire life all I remember is that building being like so many others downtown.its been incredible these past few years to be able to see the turnaround.i don't think an outsider can come and understand the scope of the transformation here.
Like to see most of 1960 cars with fender skirts to cover the rear wheels, such as Edsel, Ford, Mercury, and Plymouth, especially for 2 door hardtop, 2 door sedan, 4 door hardtop, 4 door pillared sedan, convertible, and wagons.
At the 6:58 point of this video, there is a picture of a burning Oldsmobile. Supposedly from the 1967 Detroit riots, the picture is either a 1972 or 1973 Olds??? Looks like the editors missed this one.
At around 7:00, your footage supposedly from the 1967 Detroit Riots contains an early-1970 full-size Oldsmobile and a first-generation Chevrolet Vega making a U-Turn. Must've been a different riot.
Ford buying this building and renovating it as their new hq is like Wayne industries buying an abandoned building in Gotham and doing the same thing😂 pretty cool!
It is good to see that it is getting this love. It is sad to see so many buildings in Detroit falling into decay... it is like what perhaps Rome was like after the Fall of the Roman Empire... lets hope renewal comes eariler.
Yes I hope so! It has the same sad history! Opened summer 1929, 17 stories, saw many leave in WW2, and closed Oct 79. Sat abandoned, salvaged, vandalized for years. Currently seeing $5M in roofwork, but needs a developer and a future!
8:04 that’s not detroit. if you see the caesars casino that’s canada. it’s right across the river from the renaissance center and the cobo I live in metro detroit, I really appreciate you making videos about detroit. fun fact: they filmed a bunch of scenes for the first micheal bay transformers movie in the train station too lol
There is one aspect I wish you had mentioned. As part of a land swap deal around 2015, the city gave the Maroun family owners land near the Ambassador Bridge which would work for their desired second span. (It hasn't been built and a new Gordie Howe Bridge is under construction a few miles downriver instead) In exchange, the Maroun's agreed to install new windows to make the site more attractive to developers.
The absolute irony of this station is that it serviced the city that would build products that continues and actively destroyed railroading and the need for the station itself.
Building like this are amazing piece of work from a time period of the past. From ancestry, & its also part of our story of 🇺🇸 an should be cherished & protect it.... I'm super proud of ford stepping up to protect this amazing part of American history
It has a two story mezzanine, and the other thirteen floors are office space. It was very convenient to take the train right to your offices back in the day!
Major stations may have offices, hotels, department stores. You can look at how Japan Railway Nagoya Station operate their space having two skyscrapers. Private railways in Japan own an amount of real estate having department stores and hotels connected to their major stations.
I went in there with some friends almost 20 years ago. Somewhere there's a picture of me at the top of the smoke stack waving to the camera. I won't forget climbing the smoke stack and looking straight up at the clouds. I don't know of any other observation points in the city that are so wide open and not protected. It was very different seeing things from that point of view. The smoke stack is gone now from the Ford renovations. Anyway, I believe the top floor was for elevator machinery, and the next 2 or 3 floors were completely vacant and never used. If you look at 9:01 that's one of the wide open floors, I saw no evidence of there ever being any walls built. So,15 stories minus one for elevator machinery, 3 that weren't finished, and another story being in the cathedral ceilings of the ground floor leaves 10 floors. Could be 9, it might have been 4 that were never finished. So, 9 or 10 floors of office space. From what I understand the railroad itself had a lot of their offices there, customs and immigration took up a lot of office space because it was a major port of entry for immigrants coming from Canada. A lot of rail freight came from Canada through that tunnel mentioned in the video. That freight has to be inspected and logged and whatever. So the freight inspectors had offices there as well. Plus they rented office space to various other random businesses. That's how the space was used to my knowledge.
The deregulation of the American airline industry in the late 1970s negatively affected Amtrak..because air fares were now more affordable to the middle class. Many passenger train depots in large American cities declined as a result...not only in Detroit.
My Great Grandfather worked at Michigan RR for 40 years switching box cars. A Macedonian Immigrant who brought his family over after the Second Balken War.
The planned rebirth of this once magnificent building is a tremendous risk for a city still struggling to reclaim its former glory. I hope the Ford family and the regional transportation authorities can determine a way for a restored MCS to remain viable for decades.
I do slightly remember being at the train station when it was open and long benches in its lobby ~ Also being in the boarding area … WOW those trains were SO SPECIAL ! Ideally they WILL move the station BACK THERE . I recall decades ago it being said that the station on Woodward south of Grand Boulevard was supposed to be temporary. And a new larger one was to be built ( That NEVER happened ) So this COULD BE the logical solution !
They started actively protecting it years ago, and the Ford Motor Company owns it now and is nearing completion of renovations. I rode by it two weeks ago and it's looking good.
what does Ford plan to do with the building? turn it into a museum or something or renovate the office space to rent out or something?
The Maroun family secured the building in 2010. However, they bought the property in the early 90s.
I was surprised to learn it closed in 1988. By 2000, it looked like it had been abandoned for over 30 years.
@@BLACKAAROW no it’s supposed to be a center for their electric car research
I work in construction in the Detroit area and alot of fellow union members have told me horror stories about working there during the renovation. One that sticks out is have a portion of a ceiling collapse on people trying to work on it.
My mom used to tell me that she used to play inside of the station as a child....
I'm part of the security team protecting this property. I'm honored to be one of the people involved in bringing this building back to its former glory even if I just play a very small part. 😎
Awesome you are part of this great project to honor the past and look to the future for your community!
That’s awesome! I’d love to see this building!
that's super cool!! how far along have they gotten inside? have they gotten an the garbage out? it seemed like an insurmountable task to clean the place up from the state I saw it in, years ago now. I wonder how original they're going to keep it looking? I'd love to see inside, even just the lobby, I wonder if they've replaced the chandelier? I have so many questions, lol... I just love the building so much.
@@repeat_defender I'm currently renovating the masonry and yes the trash is currently all out the graffiti is still there though
@@DETROITER99 any idea on when renovations will be completed? I would love to check it when it opens again.
Not abandoned anymore! I work across the street from this building at a restaurant called bobcat bonnnies. In the past two years they've put so much work into it. It's been amazing seeing it come so far. When I moved up here it looked quite dilapidated with many broken windows. Now it looks great again. The whole neighborhood of corktown is coming so far along with new hotels, homes, stores and all kind of construction projects constantly going on daily. In just the few years i have worked over there it has all changed/improved so much and i have a feeling it is only going to continue to improve everyday! The mayor of Detroit even had his state of the city address there this year. Historic!
Make Michigan Central Great Again!
I went to Michigan Central Station concert last night, and today I took the tour inside Michigan Central Station. It's absolutely beautiful inside thanks to Bill Ford's vision. I literally wanted to hug the station.
It is ironic that the automotive industry actively destroyed the passenger train industry and now one of its members is responsible for saving it.
I live in Canada and have been praying that they bought this beautiful building back to what it was.
We supplied the herringbone flooring in that beautifully redone building. Detroit is on the comeback, no doubts!
@brent4209 You all did a beautiful job and need some type of an award. It's simply beautiful, thank you.
@@rubydawn1
Maybe outside, but not inside. There was marble walls and floors in the corridors and chandeliers on each floor. The offices had oak flooring, desks, and chairs.
I worked at the MCS 1975-84...on nearly every floor except the 12th and 13th (top).
Finally an abandoned story with a good ending. Good on ya, Ford.
It is ironic that the automotive industry actively destroyed the passenger train industry and now one of its members is responsible for saving it.
@@edrcozonokingNot true...what killed the passenger train mode of transport in the US was the interstate highway system, not vehicles.
Detroiter here, just one statement of yours i want to comment on. "Detroit saves its masterpieces" While this is true for certain exceptions like the Book tower and MCS, Detroit has lost many architectural masterpieces over the years. The Illitch family (Little Caesars Owners) and Dan Gilbert (Quicken Loans owner) played an enormous role in this. Downtown, around Comerica park and LCA, the residential houses that once stood there were masterpieces. Only a few remain in that area, like the Whitney for example. Next time youre in the D and pay $25 to park at a District Detroit (owned by the illitches) parking lot, just remember this comment and that a beautiful piece of history once stood there. pizza pizza
Well, you do realize all those building were stripped of all the copper and metals in them so tearing them down is more cost effective them restoring them. Don't blame Ilich, blame all the scrappers and trashbags that messed them up in the first place.
@@nunyab.1678 No, what messed them up in the first place was letting those structures get to the point where metal scrappers and vandals could get in and do their dirty deed. Whoever purchased those properties should have hired security detail to protect them. But the new owners DID NOT CARE because they had other plans for the property. "Tear down the old and put up the new." The sad truth is, the new is rarely as good as the old that was demolished. It's either a parking lot or cheap (and I do mean cheap) construction that only has a 30 year lifespan at best, that replaces the opulence and uniqueness of what is demolished.
Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans has done a lot of repairs and restorations to several historic downtown buildings in Detroit. He has brought many of them back from decayed ruin. So I would not be too critical of Dan Gilbert because he has been a savior for that city. I wish that he would come to Niagara Falls NY and help us save some of our remaining historic buildings and bring them back to life.
I was struck by that comment as well because I know that many historically significant buildings have been demolished in Detroit.
Can’t salat
As a Detroiter, I must point out that the Michigan Central Station never did live up to its expectations.
The construction of the station was a high-stakes project.
They were expecting that the office tower, integral with the new station, would, through the addition of many banks and business offices, render Woodward Avenue obsolete.
It didn't happen. The office complex portion of MCS was never used to about 40% of capacity.
Many businesses preferred Downtown.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ford filled that office space up more than it had ever been before. I know before Ford starting redoing their main campus here in Dearborn they were hurting for office space (at one point they had space taken up in the local mall for offices even).
Woodward will never be obsolete
That's not surprising, there probably wasn't much directly around the station compared to downtown. I'm sure that there is alot more there nowadays than back in the stations heyday, such as all the restaurants in Mexican town and Cork town.
@@Harey0407 I'd be surprised if they managed to fill it up. It was a good idea when they started but now with c19 showing that you don't need a ton of office space for employees it's might be in trouble. My Dad works for Ford and has been working from home for close to 2 years now, my brother works for Volkswagon and he has been working from home just as long.
@@edg3818 nah. Theres way less around the station now then there was in its heyday. Corktown/ Michigan avenue is a shell of what it was in its heyday.
It's a shame we don't make beautiful buildings like that anymore.
A friend of mine went to architectural school. He told me that in Europe buildings are built to last at least 100 years. An American strip mall has about a 20 year lifespan. I completely agree with you, it is a shame!!
They are beautiful, but as humans we must continue to press on and innovate. That's what we've always done in human history.
@@followyourheart1366 That can't be right. First, no major company would purchase a spot in a strip mall. They pay to remodel it how they want inside, so moving after 20 years is insane. Not to mention if a company leaves, who will they get in for another lease cycle at the end of a building's life?
They last about 20 years when abandoned, depending on the area. In contrast, where I live in NY (with snow, ice, heat, etc) we have had the same strip malls since 1970. New ones were built 10 years ago too and they still look wonderful.
I fully think he meant when abandoned. Brick buildings will last ages. Wooden buildings with drywall won't. Because if he meant what you said, how would any building in Europe still exist? There's so many that are centuries upon centuries old...
It seems like all the innovation and new technology of construction is in finding ways to make construction cheaper not better. Trying to make things close to as good as before with cheaper materials not stronger and definitely not beautiful just cheaper.
@@jrbqto We shouldn’t destroy our history.
It's back baby.
The tearing down of the original Pennsylvania Railway Station in NYC and the reaction by Citizens of the United States, the Landmark Preservation Commission was created.
So basically, Penn Station was the Jesus of buildings. Got it.
When the US finally builds a high speed rail system, this building should be used as a station again!
Cars a better, no thanks
Im pretty sure Ford uses it as its HQ
@@nitricwave6943
Detroit to Chicago in 2 hour's. Reading a book. Or I-94 for 6-8.
Won't happen. Our dependency on oil and it's connection to our politicians will make sure that a cheaper faster way of doing things will never happen. Even though the infrastructure has existed longer than most Americans have been alive.
@@yooper6161 not to mention that there are so many laws and regulations regarding rail travel.
Even the Acela train doesn't travel its full speed.
Every time it comes close to a station or crossing it has to slow down.
With so many crossing and stations along its route it would spend a grand total of 5 minutes at full speed.
O way a high-speed rail would ever be made unless it's elevated and mag-lev which is super expensive.
It's back baby! It's back!!!
Such a great story! It reopens today in Detroit, I’m in Belleville and wanted to educate myself on it since I won’t make it to the grand opening
I’ve been in there! The basement was full of like three feet of water, which was incredibly creepy. I wonder how many bodies they found in there when they drained it, honestly I would have LOVED to be on the crew that hauled all the trash out of it.
A lot of your photos actually show it with the new windows in it, it’s so weird to see it like that after seeing it with every window busted out for years.
One of my nephews was on the asbestos-removal crew that cleaned out the building. He couldn't believe how beautiful it was even in its wrecked state.
@@cletusbeauregard1972 that's so cool!! I would love to hear what he has to say about the experience, like what was the strangest thing he saw in there? Indeed, the building was still beautiful inside despite its state of decay. it was such a mess though, it seemed impossible to clean it all up and repair everything.
No bodies were found.
@@edrcozonoking oh that's good! surprising, imo.
This is your best video so far . Congratulations on a job well done , and thank you for you efforts.
More photos of what the station looked like when it was new and in operation would have been nice.
There is a 1987-1988 video on UA-cam. It’s an interview piece.
You skipped the period from 1995-2018 when the Moroun family owned it. The billionaire, who also owns the Ambassador Bridge between US and Canada sought to expand their business.
The station became a bargaining chip with the state, promising to redevelop if they were granted rights to build the new bridge.
Oh Lord ...always some scam with no real intent to deliver. I did know about this. Thanks. So many residential properties are owned by the rich and sit to rot. I don't doubt your post.
The Moroun family finally secured the building with a fence in 2010.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan secured an agreememt around 2014 where in exchange for the city giving a piece of land next to the bridge the family would need for a second span, the train station would get new windows.
Duggan said he was tired of the train station being used for ruin porn and wanted to make it look more appealing to redevelop.
My mom worked there in the late 50’s selling candy.
It’s being rebuilt now, completely. Very beautiful building.
My mother worked here for nine years in the 40's as an executive secretary on one of the upper floors, It would be great to visit it one day.
There's a restored railway that goes between Utica, NY and Old Forge, NY. From there you can book a boat excursion through the Chain-of-Lakes.
I went with my friend. When the boat did it's turn around, I said to her, do you realize that were 200 miles from where we started out and II'm not the least bit tired from traveling? She thought a moment and agreed. Traveling 200 miles by car on the other hand is exhausting.
I agree. I enjoy traveling by train as much as possible, even though my finances are not the best.
What is the name of that railroad
between Utica and Old Forge?
@Temper United Had to Google it since I couldn't remember.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad.
What kind of beat to crap car are you driving where 200 miles is exhausting?
Driving any automobile for 200 miles is exhausting. Driving is costly and a big pain in the ass.
We have documented the ongoing renovation of Ford Motor Company's Train Station along with Detroit's revival! The area will be the center of Ford's Self Driving Vehicle Corktown Campus. Detroit's River Walk has been named the nation's finest, and new renovations and construction are city wide!
I like your channel's content about the D. Can't agree on the river walk though
Could you do Masonic Temple!?
It's History, remember to follow this guy if you want to stay updated on Detroit.
@@philippreitshammer It has been rated the best in the country by some reputable publications. That’s as it is now & sure to be much better when the old Uniroyal portion is completed.
@@wmw3629 Yeah but knowing the site makes me wonder. Nothing special about it but of course Detroit gets support from many different sides which is of course good.
Im not from Detroit but have drived past this amazing building in awe many times not knowing what it was
I had a great uncle who worked for MCS starting in 1944 up until the building closed. I've been sending him photos of the station being renovated and he's ecstatic that it's being restored.
wow that's so cool!! I would just love to hear his stories about working there!
My father also worked there during the same time period. When it was shutting down, many of the employees were allowed to take beautiful, antique pieces of furniture, fixtures, etc. That was an incredibly beautiful station inside.
I worked for Penn Central RR/Conrail from 1975-84. One of my fondest memories was playing in a charity baseball game vs management. On my first at bat, I hit a 3 run "inside the park" homer!! Had to virtually push the 2 runners ahead of me to cross home plate...so that I could as well.
I can remember taking a train with my grandmother to Mississippi from there yrs ago. It was a busy station then. It could be used by all transit Greyhound,Dot, Amtrak,hot rail from the airport to the city. Could be a casino with hotel space. Just my thoughts.
A casino/ hotel sounds like potential 👏
My first long-distance trip going alone, was taking the Wolverine and City Of New Orleans trains to NOLA in 1985 (age 21).
@@stefanc4308
You're behind the parade. There are three casino-hotel complexes in Downtown Detroit (MGM Grand, Greektown and Motor City).
We're so back 😎
As a truck driver Iused to come down the Fisher in the evening and would see the evening sky through all those vacant windows and it was beautiful but melancholy.
Then, after being away from the area for a while I cam by it and saw the renovation starting. It seriously just made me happy.
at 8:04 that is a shot of Windsor, CA across the river, but no biggy, just noticed lol
Great video!
Glad i wasn't the only one who noticed lol
@GREEN I hope you CAN get what I meant lol
Wow ! Can I send you a picture of me yawning ?
so many Canadians love to go to Detroit.
It is ironic that the automotive industry actively destroyed the passenger train industry and now one of its members is responsible for saving it.
train travel is amazing and would love to see more people use it
One of 3 great monuments i always thought once reclaimed would mark a great turning point for my beautiful city. The book is done and shining next should be the fountain in Palmer Park.
Well done. Great script writing! Now that you have sung the historical song, you should do a video once a year on the progress of restoring the site, showing tours of what has been done and what has been planned. The challenges of any great project is part of history, too.
Excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing building. So glad it's getting a new life.
A really fantastic building that deserves to be saved and given a second chance.
Japanese imports were not significant in the US auto market until after the oil crisis of 1973, and not a major factor until after the oil crisis caused by the fall of the Shah of Iran in the late 1970's. This video also ignores the fact the rail travel everywhere in the US declined because of the universal ownership of automobiles coupled with the construction of the interstate highway system, and the rise of air travel.
You are correct. Thank you. Another contributing factor to Detroit’s decline was the infamous “white flight” to the suburbs. Part of my family stayed and raised my cousins in Detroit, but my parents left and raised us in the small Village of Clarkston. That was a wonderful way to grow up, but I’ve always felt strange about being part of the flight, which diminished the tax money supporting the educational and municipal funds. It’s good to see that some folks still value the city and want to invest in it!
Thank you, Mary Donohoe, I agree with you completely. You have a first person perspective on this, which is always valuable. I should also say that this was a basically good video, and that I too am glad that Detroit is begnning to recover.
love rail travel my brothers and sister and son all went from Montreal to Halifax it was so fun we had our sleeper cars and the food was so good we got to spend time together its a must do
Great history and nice too see Ford Motor Company has taken it over! Was there no photos of it in use way back? Especially the interior?
Would have loved to learn more about the train station in its heyday. Pics from then, tenants in the office tower, etc. Nice video but could have been about half a dozen other buildings in Detroit. Great job!
Finally a real documentary about Michigan central!
I worked for a fab shop in south west Detroit about a year ago and they would send us old rusty I beams and we would make a exact copy out of new steel and send them back, I'm happy to say a few of my welds are part of that building.
your a part of history
This building has a story of redemption now thanks to Ford. If I'm not mistaken, they will be doing a grand opening soon if not already.
The Buffalo Central Terminal with its Art-Deco style of 1929, shares this same saga. Currently waiting on a developer and a plan.
At least it's been partially restored and is used for banquets and other events.
@@markvolpe2305 Not as of 2020, asbestos abatement and roofing projects have halted indoor events for at least 2 years. The concourse tile ceiling is requiring shoring of a safety net.
@@WildBill236 That's a shame, it's a great looking building.
When I was younger, I went to Buffalo with some friends. I seen cars flipped over, kids playing in leaking fire hydrants and everything was old. It felt like I had stepped onto the movie set of "The Planet of the Apes" I always assumed that Michigan was the same after that experience
Ford made a wonderful decision to restore this beautiful piece of history. God bless them
good karma
Such a amazing building to explore back in the day.
It's refreshing to know that it won't be added to the list of amazing buildings that were demolished!
One of my best friends lives across Michigan Ave from the depot. It remains sealed up, weather tight, and they have cleaned a lot of the external blackening, now. It's difficult to know how far along it is inside, because Ford is hush-hush about any progress.
5:28 To the far end, this is either the entrance to the women’s waiting room or men’s waiting room. Apparently, the individuals who were riding alone would use these rooms. These waiting rooms were situated at either end of the grand waiting room.
At timestamp 6:57
Although this image is probably stock image, I don't think it's from 1967. The car on the right is a Chevy Vega, debuting in 1970 and the bumper on the Oldsmobile *LOOKS* like pre-five MPH bumper, about 1972.
My grandfather was in the national guard and was involved in the Detroit riots but he unfortunately passed away before he could share his experience about it.
I bet he is looking down with a big smile.
I learned a lot from this video. I had no idea this building even existed or its history. I worked for Chrysler in Highland Park MI in 1978-1979 and never heard a word from anyone about the station. This is the first I ever heard of it, 42 years after I lived there!!! The only railroad I knew about was SEMTA, along the old Grand Trunk RR, which I rode once because I didn't want to drive I-75 in the snow. It dropped me off at Chrysler Center in the same place I crossed into the complex from the parking lot. Thank for the lesson!
Thank You for your documentary. I was privileged to be part of working on the Millwork there; and the Book Depository next to the train station.
HUGE LOBBY! And when I went to cali one time, the LA train bus station was so cool to see.
My entire life all I remember is that building being like so many others downtown.its been incredible these past few years to be able to see the turnaround.i don't think an outsider can come and understand the scope of the transformation here.
Caught a train from there in the mid-80s. So happy to see it getting a new lease on life. Good for Ford!
It's been used in a few movies. The Island, Transformers, and Batman v Superman all have scenes in the station.
cool
Nice professional video. I'm sick of the amateur junk videos that are online
so glad they saved this building its just so beautiful and gives hope I love train travel and I hope people start using it more
I never knew this was the world's tallest train station. And right here in Detroit. How about that? Nice to see it brought back to life.
Like to see most of 1960 cars with fender skirts to cover the rear wheels, such as Edsel, Ford, Mercury, and Plymouth, especially for 2 door hardtop, 2 door sedan, 4 door hardtop, 4 door pillared sedan, convertible, and wagons.
At the 6:58 point of this video, there is a picture of a burning Oldsmobile. Supposedly from the 1967 Detroit riots, the picture is either a 1972 or 1973 Olds??? Looks like the editors missed this one.
I hope they will keep this beautiful station for a long time.
You should cover Buffalo Central Terminal. It is a very beautiful station that also has a tall tower and has a very similar story.
I went by train from here to Texas when I was8 and 11. It took 2 days a changed trains in Chicago. Loved it. Would not send a child alone now a day.
You should do a story on the Buffalo's Central Terminal, which could have a similar fate to this station.
This video claims the Michigan depot to be the tallest when in fact our Central Terminal on the east side of Buffalo is almost 5 stories taller
2:28 Does anyone know what is beyond the tunnel openings?
At around 7:00, your footage supposedly from the 1967 Detroit Riots contains an early-1970 full-size Oldsmobile and a first-generation Chevrolet Vega making a U-Turn. Must've been a different riot.
Ford buying this building and renovating it as their new hq is like Wayne industries buying an abandoned building in Gotham and doing the same thing😂 pretty cool!
It is good to see that it is getting this love. It is sad to see so many buildings in Detroit falling into decay... it is like what perhaps Rome was like after the Fall of the Roman Empire... lets hope renewal comes eariler.
Very interesting! Thank you!
are going to make a video about the Buffalo Central Terminal please
Yes I hope so! It has the same sad history! Opened summer 1929, 17 stories, saw many leave in WW2, and closed Oct 79. Sat abandoned, salvaged, vandalized for years. Currently seeing $5M in roofwork, but needs a developer and a future!
8:04 that’s not detroit. if you see the caesars casino that’s canada. it’s right across the river from the renaissance center and the cobo
I live in metro detroit, I really appreciate you making videos about detroit.
fun fact: they filmed a bunch of scenes for the first micheal bay transformers movie in the train station too lol
My step father told me he left for Vietnam from that railway station. Well off to training. Thats hiw he says it though.
There is one aspect I wish you had mentioned. As part of a land swap deal around 2015, the city gave the Maroun family owners land near the Ambassador Bridge which would work for their desired second span. (It hasn't been built and a new Gordie Howe Bridge is under construction a few miles downriver instead)
In exchange, the Maroun's agreed to install new windows to make the site more attractive to developers.
Excellent video
The absolute irony of this station is that it serviced the city that would build products that continues and actively destroyed railroading and the need for the station itself.
Cars by themselves didn't destroy rail transport, the government did by building all these freeways and having super strict euclidian zoning.
Building like this are amazing piece of work from a time period of the past. From ancestry, & its also part of our story of 🇺🇸 an should be cherished & protect it.... I'm super proud of ford stepping up to protect this amazing part of American history
To match the exterior masonry, the quarry in Indiana was reopened. It had been closed since 1988.
great video
Well done ford, such a fantastic building glad to see it saved 👏
What were the 15 stories used for other than a train station?
It has a two story mezzanine, and the other thirteen floors are office space. It was very convenient to take the train right to your offices back in the day!
I read that they planned on using it for office space and a hotel but the hotel idea never came to fruition
Major stations may have offices, hotels, department stores. You can look at how Japan Railway Nagoya Station operate their space having two skyscrapers. Private railways in Japan own an amount of real estate having department stores and hotels connected to their major stations.
To no small extent, nothing.
Not many businesses were interested in moving there.
I went in there with some friends almost 20 years ago. Somewhere there's a picture of me at the top of the smoke stack waving to the camera. I won't forget climbing the smoke stack and looking straight up at the clouds. I don't know of any other observation points in the city that are so wide open and not protected. It was very different seeing things from that point of view. The smoke stack is gone now from the Ford renovations. Anyway, I believe the top floor was for elevator machinery, and the next 2 or 3 floors were completely vacant and never used. If you look at 9:01 that's one of the wide open floors, I saw no evidence of there ever being any walls built. So,15 stories minus one for elevator machinery, 3 that weren't finished, and another story being in the cathedral ceilings of the ground floor leaves 10 floors. Could be 9, it might have been 4 that were never finished. So, 9 or 10 floors of office space. From what I understand the railroad itself had a lot of their offices there, customs and immigration took up a lot of office space because it was a major port of entry for immigrants coming from Canada. A lot of rail freight came from Canada through that tunnel mentioned in the video. That freight has to be inspected and logged and whatever. So the freight inspectors had offices there as well. Plus they rented office space to various other random businesses. That's how the space was used to my knowledge.
Why is it so tall? Were there offices or hotel rooms above the main hall?
Offices. It was overbuilt and the top few floors were never occupied.
What were the upper stories of the Michigan Central Railroad Station used for ?
You should see it now. Officially reopens 6/6/24. Its stunning.
As a child i remembered taking a steam train from this station to canada. The riots destroyed Detroit.
Yet another great video.
Stunning
The deregulation of the American airline industry in the late 1970s negatively affected Amtrak..because air fares were now more affordable to the middle class. Many passenger train depots in large American cities declined as a result...not only in Detroit.
We went there many times to pick up my dad's family members up from Illinois. In the early 1960’s The Wabash and the Bluebird. I think.
Interesting video
That picture of the ford sign is from Geelong, Australia.
What I thought was really amazing about this video is that there wasn't one interior photo showing the opulence of the original station.
You can view old photos from when it was in its heyday on historic Detroit organization. New photos are there too.
What was inside all the upper floors of the original building?
As of June 2024, the station is open and hosting tours.
FYI: it’s Grand Central Terminal (not Station) in NYC.
My Great Grandfather worked at Michigan RR for 40 years switching box cars. A Macedonian Immigrant who brought his family over after the Second Balken War.
Wish I was actually able to go in it live pretty close to detroit
The planned rebirth of this once magnificent building is a tremendous risk for a city still struggling to reclaim its former glory. I hope the Ford family and the regional transportation authorities can determine a way for a restored MCS to remain viable for decades.
What is the current tallest station? is it the Nagoya Station? or there any other taller station?
Looked aweful in 2007. Was back there in 2018, and ford had started work on it. Nice improvement
I do slightly remember being at the train station when it was open and long benches in its lobby ~ Also being in the boarding area … WOW those trains were SO SPECIAL ! Ideally they WILL move the station BACK THERE . I recall decades ago it being said that the station on Woodward south of Grand Boulevard was supposed to be temporary. And a new larger one was to be built ( That NEVER happened ) So this COULD BE the logical solution !
Fun fact: the nyc one is actually called “grand central terminal” not station