Michigan Central Station

Michigan Central Station is a former railway station in Corktown, Detroit, featuring a 230-foot tower built with limestone, brick, and marble. The building combines a wide station hall with a slender office tower above and displays classical columns, arched windows, and decorated cornices.

The station opened in December 1913 as the main terminal for trains across North America and served soldiers during World War I. The last departure took place in January 1988 when cars and airplanes had replaced rail travel.

The building displays the city name across its facade in large letters and reminds visitors of the era when trains were the primary way to travel. Today the structure serves as a workplace for engineers and designers developing new vehicles.

The restored building reopened in 2024 and welcomes visitors in public areas while other floors serve as offices. Shops and cafes on the ground level complement the open spaces that once held travelers.

The renovation required replacing more than 100,000 bricks and installing 1,200 new windows matching the old designs. Craftsmen also repaired more than 56,000 square feet of exterior stonework to restore the original appearance.

Location: Detroit

Inception: December 1913

Architects: Reed and Stem

Official opening: December 26, 1913

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Elevation above the sea: 181 m

Address: West Vernor Highway

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10:00-17:00; Friday 17:00-22:00; Saturday 10:00-17:00

Website: https://michigancentral.com

GPS coordinates: 42.32861,-83.07778

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05