Packard Automotive Plant, Former automobile factory in Detroit, Michigan.
The Packard Automotive Plant is a former automobile factory in Detroit, Michigan, whose several buildings stretch along Grand Boulevard. The complex displays the reinforced concrete construction typical of Albert Kahn, with large windows that brought natural light into the production halls.
Albert Kahn designed the plant in 1903 as one of the first buildings of its kind in reinforced concrete, influencing the construction of factories worldwide. Production ended in 1956 after the company could no longer modernize its models and was displaced from the market.
The complex still carries traces of its time as a gathering spot for artists and musicians, whose work remains visible on some outer walls. Photographers and architecture enthusiasts use the site as an example of the transformation of urban industrial landscapes in the region.
The site has been undergoing demolition since 2022, so access is closed and no visits are possible. Visitors can view the outer walls along Grand Boulevard but should respect restricted areas.
During World War II, aircraft engines for fighter planes were built here, repurposing part of the production halls. More than 55,000 engines left the plant and powered Allied combat aircraft.
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