The Detroit Packard Plant 2022 - Exploring The Largest Abandoned Building in the USA

In May of 2022 I headed over the US border for the first time in 26 months to meet up with my friend, fellow photographer, explorer and Detroit resident, Robert M. Robert has lived in Detroit his whole life and has an incredible body of work from the streets of Detroit, taken over decades of work as a local photographer.
The Packard plant started out at 10,000 square feet, gradually growing to 14 acres and then ultimately to 80 massive acres and several city blocks.
At its peak the Packard complex employed 40,000 people, including skilled craftsmen involved in over eighty trades. The plant turned out Packard automobiles from 1903 to 1956, except during World War II, when production was shifted to war materials
The last Packard car to roll out of the plant was in 1956 and the plant closed for good in 1958.
Between 1958 and 1990 the property was rebranded as the Motor City Industrial Park, housing several different companies, or used for storage. One by one tenants would vacate their space leading to the ultimate abandonment of this huge industrial space.
In the 1990s the Packard plant was a popular destination for underground raves, and as more and more tenants vacated the site, its popularity as an urban exploration destination grew.
While ravers and urban explorers enjoyed Packard for their own reasons, so did the vandals and the scrappers. Scrappers have removed every possible bit of valuable metal, wiring, window frames and other materials. Much of this scrapping and vandalism has led to destruction and collapse in many of the buildings.
Over the years many dead bodies have been discovered inside Packard, on Christmas Eve 2013 a group of Urban Explorers came across the frozen body of a young black man who had been murdered.
In October 2013 the body of a Wayne University student was found shot at the Packard site.
Also in 2013 a group of Urban Explorers were robbed and carjacked at the Packard site, the tourists were robbed of their 2004 Pontiac Vibe, $143, wallets, cell phones and a Canon camera.
In 2019 a group were playing hide and seek inside the Packard plant when a 21 year old man was running on the 9th floor and fell to his death in the elevator shaft.
Over the years the Packard site has been used for many TV shows, Movies and Music Videos
In 2009, Eminem used several Detroit abandoned locations to film the video for his song Beautiful. In the video, he can be seen wandering and performing at the former Tiger Stadium, Michigan Central Station as well as several scenes inside Packard.
In 2016 the film Transformers filmed scenes inside the Packard plant, for the scene Two Chicago Transit Authority trains were positioned as if they careened off their artificial rail lines, and giant gears and machinery lie in pieces around the set.
In 2015 a British photographer obtained permits for a two day shoot in the Packard plant. This photo shoot included a tiger, bobcat and two wolves. But during the shoot, the tiger got loose and holed himself up in a stairwell on the 4th storey.
My experience at Packard, while short, was very much enjoyable and long overdue. Never have I seen such a vast site of post-apocalyptic ruins with endless corridors and hallways. It would take someone a whole week to explore the entire facility, and while I only scratched the surface, my 4 hours inside were definitely well spent.
What the future holds for this site is still to be determined, on March 31, a Wayne County Judge ordered the Peruvian owner of Packard and his local company to clear the site within 90 days.
90 Days to raze what took decades to build, followed by decades of suffering at the hands of scrappers, graffiti artists, ravers, apocalyptic movie crews, and tour guides.
According to court documents, the owner must have applied for the demo permits by April 21st and the demo work was to start on May 12th.
The documents stated “All necessary abatement shall be completed within 90 days of this order”
If the owner did not take appropriate action as directed by the courts, the city of Detroit was authorized to “engage qualified contractors to perform all demolition and other necessary actions to abate the nuisance.” all at the expense of the property owner.
Both dates mentioned above came and went with no applications for permits and with no heavy equipment moved to the site, so on May 4th 2022 the city of Detroit started accepting contractor bids to demolish the buildings.
Other than some newish looking fencing around some of the buildings - there was no sign that any demolition would be starting any time soon.
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#abandoned
#detroit
#abandonedplaces
#everythingleftbehind

[@Freaktography]

See my Packard Plant photo gallery here: freaktography.com/abandoned-detroit-packard-plant-2022/

[@karenmilligan5597]

The shots are awesome.

[@davids9520]

Old news. See it now.

[@wwilliam51]

Very interesting The Packard plant is the reason I exist, My Mom left South eastern KY during World War 2 to work in Detroit in the Packard Plant, My Dad also came to Detroit to work as A securty guard at the Packard Plant, I was born in september 1944

[@pattigolden1]

I think the coolest thing was the tree growing around the fire hydrant. I remember seeing this place on "mysteries of the abandoned"

[@forterierocks]

I found Detroit to be a very sad place, to know it was once a thriving place and now it looks like a nuclear explosion went off, it is definitely cool to see all the abandoned buildings and imagine what it once was.

[@ClaytonHartin]

Detroit made the US win WWll. GM produced tanks,jeeps,guns, and large trucks

[@wildestcowboy2668]

​@@ClaytonHartin true that but then the baby boomers ruined the country.

[@aimeekrieg9932]

Detroit was so awesome years ago, mainly the Auto industry made us. The Motor City was all that with the Big.3

[@davids9520]

Things have changed.

[@earthraindove2870]

Detroit will always be The Car Capital of the World 💚😍😍😍🙏☀

[@whiteumbrella9344]

There is something oddly beautiful about these places. Such interesting history too. I hope someone like a photographer documents the graffiti and overall sites. I would absolutely buy that book. Put current pictures next to the photos of what it looked like when it was in use.

[@Freaktography]

I totally agree!

[@christopherfortunato6018]

I could see bringing stylish old Packard autos to photograph among th ruins.

[@christopherfortunato6018]

This is like going to Rome to see the Colosseum or other ruins.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

​@@Freaktography You don't have to be afraid in Detroit however if u go to Memphis TN you could get ur AZZ whooped just walking up

[@ericliu5491]

We need a government that has the ability and willingness to return the American auto industry to its former glory.

[@Biosynchro]

The government won't be able to do anything except encourage a restoration. What they can do is get out of the way.

[@benjaminschneider4555]

There was never a glamor of the automobile industry, there was only a gloss of cars, with too much chrome, too many tailfins and engines that were way too big

[@benjaminschneider4555]

and unrealistically low government fuel prices

[@Biosynchro]

@@benjaminschneider4555 And amazing cars. Although the 1970s models were awful.

[@benjaminschneider4555]

The US auto industry probably destroyed itself with too much influence over politicians.

[@nicolecrawford4228]

I love how you give a narration during the video and also the music for this fit it perfectly. What a great video Dave. Keep these ones up

[@Freaktography]

thanks so much Nicole!

[@rachelgervais1971]

This place is amazing and I love the pictures that showed the old days thanks again for your amazing work

[@Freaktography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@amberlautaoja6541]

Been to detroit many times when i was a kid. My great aunt lived close to detroit. I heard of this packard factory where homeless were living. Read it online somewhere. Thanks for the video

[@Freaktography]

Thanks for the info

[@margannaful]

Scariest night of my life: 1985- LONG before Google maps and even cell phones, I took a wrong turn on my way to Ann Arbor and ended up right in front of the Packard plant in a pretty shady neighborhood late one night. I have no idea how I made it home that night. Bad memories for me haha

[@youcomic6776]

You were lucky

[@Freaktography]

Wow!

[@youcomic6776]

@@Freaktography please feature: Galactic Coin GLXT on your channel. They are building a crypto exchange soon

[@lorrainebryan7552]

I wouldn't have wanted to be in your shoes! Terrifying!!

[@_Aurel1a]

You 42 😨

[@nancyison1070]

Yeah Detroit is coming up though!! Some places you don’t want to go but others are being put back together. A change in leadership and money coming in the area has changed a lot. There are big cities that have crime and vandalism everywhere

[@Dallas_K]

Detroit has been "coming up" for 50 years. I got over it and left for Florida 15 years ago.

[@mollendinousa]

Detroit coming up? 😂 some areas are nicer because it's getting gentrified.

[@daniellek1191]

I realize I’m probably overthinking it, but I work in the automotive industry and seeing this video, makes me feel a little sad, thinking of a place that was once thriving and provided 40,000 jobs is now nothing a empty shell of its former self

[@clairefunnell8481]

Fantastic historic explore Dave. Wow! I love ruins and this is the ultimate ruin. Any updates about the demolition? 🤪 😜 gotta be careful here. Awesome Dave.

[@Freaktography]

thanks so much Claire

[@williammontana3895]

Very nice video Dave. Photography and narrative and even the background music captured the sadness and the ambiance very nicely. Man can be so wasteful. Well done.

[@lorrainebryan7552]

Exactly

[@Freaktography]

Thanks William

[@colebearden95]

I really love the documentary style narration you did for this video! It makes it seem like something on National Geographic!

[@Freaktography]

Hey thanks so much

[@ceejay960]

Very nicely done! Good narration and subtle background music. I like how you included photos of the plant in its heyday juxtaposed with current footage, as well as the inclusion of things that happened there over the years. Good job!

[@too2great8]

The shot of the construction hat on top of the recliner is such a great shot. It's something hauntingly, beautiful about abandoned things, especially houses and buildings.

[@kevinbemis4321]

Wow, glad to see it is not quite as bad (yet) inside as it looks from the outside on the street. My wife and I took a paid/guided tour of the buildings in 2018 when they were still trying to refurbish parts of the complex into office buildings. It has a fascinating history and you did a good job with your video! When we were there they still had a full time security presence.

[@theronman714]

Awesome video and photos. This location is now one of my favorites. Thank you for your work.

[@Freaktography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CandyLitCrystalz]

Super awesome and amazing video ❤🤗❤

[@Freaktography]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jimzielinski]

Incredible video and great narrative. Thank you!

[@Freaktography]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cherryspiker4426]

i loved this one it was cool and the drone was perfect.. thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤ stay safe love ya

[@Freaktography]

Thanks a bunch

[@MysticWolfAZ]

Great explore and commentary Dave! 👍

[@karenmilligan5597]

You did apocalyptic Detroit proud. 👍🏻

[@jamesholt7612]

This is an awesome video Dave. Myself I wouldn't want to live in Detroit. It's sad that those old vehicle manufacturing plants went out of business as well as several houses that sit abandoned in Detroit.

[@silverado9947]

Been watchin your channel for about a year now great stuff me and my wife would love to explore thanks for the videos great job

[@Freaktography]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kimberlyclayton4985]

Crazy thank you for sharing about this lost history

[@Freaktography]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RGDYouTube]

Hopefully there is enough time before the demolition for someone to go through and get footage of every part of this huge complex.

[@jerroldmcley4347]

So cool 😎😎😎 wasn't sure I was going to like but loved the history and some of the art work keep it up your killing it

[@Freaktography]

hey thanks

[@TEXASBABYDOLL13]

wowwww so beautiful 🥰 imagine all the memories made there... So sad how it just sits abandoned now 😪

[@terriarnold4364]

The wonders of "Outsourcing can do for our "Beloved country😭

[@TatTwerp369]

not due to typical automotive outsourcing we think of today, which is a result of globalization. two major factors that point to the downfall of packard are the manufacturing processes of the big three and the uaw. the big three simply could produce more with competitive prices. the uaw strikes caused the plant to shut down for ~1 month altogether - which is catastrophic for automotive manufacturing. packard was forced to accept the uaw’s price hike of $9mil/year (~$113,574,399 adjusting for inflation) when the company was already running on margin thin profits. essentially, the uaw was a large, final nail in the coffin.

[@michaelwutka9714]

That is haunting video. Grandpa is smiling at a place in Americana ...here but long forgotten.

[@suzannewojtkowiak4329]

loved this one - what absolute desolation!! Quite a history associated with it. I'm so glad you got this great video in case it does get demolished. My family had an old Ford 'woody' that I vaguely remember then after my brothers birth my Dad came home with a big, black Packard with red leather seats. Wonder whatever happened to that............

[@Roobitz]

Absolutely gorgeous video. I've explored a few abandoned factories, but they completely pale in comparison to this monolith.

[@Matt_Foley]

Bravo. Well done.

[@VikingDudee]

I mean it sucks to see a piece of history go like that, but I think it would be kind of neat in a way to allow local scrapers to come in and scrap what they can if they want it to go that bad, then just finish the rest with a demo company. Save money while helping someone earn a little bit of money. Had a small city do that here, they knocked an old factory down and allowed people to some in and load up their trucks and trailers with metal or well anything, City said it saved them more money than what it would of cost them to hire a demo company and then get rid of the stuff that could be scrapped. They had another company volunteer and clean up the stuff that wasn't able to be scrapped, kind of neat thing that most places wouldn't even allow you to do.

[@michelleomer1047]

Really enjoyed this one 😎

[@kennethsonier1766]

The Packard plant is one amazing structure, should I say several 😂 that's beautiful and sad at the same time 👍☮️

[@Freaktography]

It really is!

[@kategulick4781]

One of the prettiest cars ever is a '39 Packard.

[@leonelgaldiano326]

Parabéns pela incrível capacidade industrial de seu povo.

[@vincentconsolo5782]

I have to correct you on a couple of points.The last car to roll out of this plant was 1954 . The car's then rolled out of a leased plant from Chrysler that was a single story plant in 1955 and 56. Starting in the 1950s, the auto manufacturers were starting to pull away from multi-story plants as they were less efficient . Although , the big three did have a handful of multi story plants that were operated into the 80's and 90's . This original Packard plant actually turned out cars of better quality than the single-story plant that was leased from Chrysler . The plant that Packard leased from Chrysler had many quality control teething problems , and they were not corrected until it was practically too late . By then , Packard was almost out of business. That is when those issues were finally worked out . But as I said it was too late.The tenants that were in this plant we're forced out by the city of Detroit because the then current owner then owed a great deal of back property taxes. The City of Detroit wanted to demolish the entire plant even then , and , has wanted to do so since the early 90"s . Now this debacle with Mr Palezuelo is once again making this a mess .Those tunnels you were in were made for supply of hot water for heating , bathrooms , and manufacturing processes . Also electric power from the powerhouse across the street . .

[@Freaktography]

thanks for that info!

[@vincentconsolo5782]

Oh you're quite welcome ! 🙂 GREAT video ! I wanted to make a disclaimer that I didn't mean for that to sound critical . You did a great job ! I interviewed Mr Pajezuelo's Project Manager at their Detroit office in 2015 for my masters thesis about how the small american car car companies called " independents " impacted the city of Detroit , and other states and cities for generations to come to the present day . I flew all the way from Los Angeles to Detroit for this .😄

[@brewcrew5854]

nice bonus info ! i recall hearing that the Studebaker merger was a bit of a complication as the wheel base widths were different and they wouldnt properly ride on the tracking system at the plant. i operate a shop for perhaps the largest Packard collector in the country if not the world i have seen the best of the best that exist today .literally maybe 100 yards from where i sit

[@jonathanterrett]

Very informative thanks

[@Freaktography]

Thank YOU

[@Nocturnal2010]

There's nothing there anymore. I grew up over there. We explored all the factories in the early 90's. There were still factories on the riverside of Jefferson, up and down Mack, and best of all was the train tracks below ground and the factories that connected to them like the Rickle Malt Co I think it was called. Theres also a river that ran under Mt Elliot by the cemetery, its prob still there. Theres a lot underground everywhere around downtown

[@detroit8v715]

The plant is FINALLY being torn down. A small portion is suppose to be save and be renovated at a later time. Detroit now can scratched off the list as home of the world's largest abandoned factory.

[@connorweis330]

I work in Detroit at a warehouse and it truly is sad passing all the abandoned homes that were once cared for by so many and all the empty lots and streets

[@benjamindehr3179]

Welcome to the States! If you ever make it to Utah let me know, I won’t try to convert you.

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Looks like a good time.

[@maximuswedgie5149]

Sad. Look what opportunities we had here. Imagine getting a job right out of high school and then a car and a house. Just like that.

[@bucktis9]

yea what happened to those days

[@ladygray7028]

beautiful video

[@Freaktography]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dev1360]

The engines you pictured being built during WW2 were the Rolls Royce Merlin engines they were contracted to build for the P51 Mustangs. Amazing history.

[@HardcamFrio]

I’m near Detroit and always want to explore Packard

[@karafuller3033]

I live about 45 minutes north of Detroit. Like everything else that is "ordered" to be demolished, this place is not coming down anytime soon. Detroit can't get around to tearing down all of the blighted houses it needs to...sure isn't going to get this huge job done in a reasonable time frame.

[@Freaktography]

ya i laughed at that 90 day deadline!

[@xPower4Goodx]

I work in that building with the white roof at the end of the plant. They’ve been making progress, but weather and crap like that has been putting some delays on it.

[@MightyWhiteofYou]

I used to be one of those people who partied at the Packard . The best times were had there. I have a romantic relationship with it. Watching nature take it back is bittersweet.

[@samgorin9836]

if you listen quietly, you can still hear people saying "ask the man that owns one" ....

[@Megabean]

Nice coincidence, I was reading through historical documents in my home town of London Ontario. Apparently a sales manager at Packard moved from Detroit to my home town and built a short lived car brand. London Motors LLC. I believe was the name. Sadly it didn't appear to be do to well but its fun seeing the history connect.

[@bluezndance]

Thank you for not making the music overpowering over the narrator

[@slickdetroit8157]

Had many good and also bad times at the Packard Plant.. So sad to see it in the state it's in..

[@shawnamcdonald2463]

Omg I was scared for u being there and I would never go there looks scarry great place foe a Halloween haunt

[@bulgingbattery2050]

Maybe they could turn the packard plant into a museum of some sort?

[@marclaporte3710]

2:09 I have to dispute this. I'm born and raised across the river and frequently explore Detroit alone or with a buddy. And no, not just the downtown, New Center or Mexitown areas. Detroit is a city built for 2 million people but only has about 650K. I'll explore large treks of land/area and not encounter a single person.

[@andypandy9931]

It must have been a fantastic place to live in the 1950's

[@frankpaws]

I mean to still be standing over 100 years later is pretty impressive.

[@saugasauce]

I went there today. They are starting to take it down.

[@oliverb.6332]

We are all Detroit

[@4knanapapa]

Packard was a integral part of the arsenal of democracy during WW2, their engines were used in untold eguipment, and their manufacturing capacity built all types of equipment used in the war, they definitely played a big part in the war effort, sad.

[@rodgerpetrick6502]

They need to tear all of those unsightly buildings down. This will deter scum from living and dealing drugs.

[@jamesjohnson7266]

When I explored it in 2002 there was a huge pile of shoes all in boxes similar to what is in this video also must have been a dumping site for tv's in another part just hundreds of tvs stacked up

[@handle2033]

Going to be a sad day when it finally comes down. Neat place, though.

[@adammiller2246]

A question I have is , Why is the Packard plant so big? It seems that G M or Ford should have a site as big as this. Packard was not making a huge profit during its entire life. It is sad to see a site like this to rot away. Just think if we stopped buying all of the Chinese crap that is imported, ( there is no chance of cutting back on Chinese buying. It is all we have now ). There would be many companies that could move in the plant.

[@jeff022889]

go a half mile north east and see the GM EV plant that has been producing millions of vehicles since 1980. It also has been converted to EV. You must understand the auto industry is fluid. Henry Ford founded two failed auto companies before opening Ford Motor Company.

[@gerardoavban7469]

Se les olvidó mencionar que Royksopp utilizó también ésta instalación para la grabación de su video The Drug 👍

[@theurbanlandscape1820]

there's been lot't of demolitian at that place since this video was posted, updates please.

[@topgeardel]

And my hometown showed a lack of class and vision by not preserving the building and turning it into a museum.

[@jcee2259]

Visiting the city owned property once was enough to buy my own piece of disused industry. A former brewery. Only yhre freight elevator was functional. Had a good time cleaning it, doing repairs, and out doing solo recreational walks amid the ruins. After a few years I swapped the title and got a fishing shack with a white trash bass boat on the Arkansas River. Why wait for anything better?

[@jcee2259]

Ruin Porn - As art it solicits a judge from within us and a ruling. Any degree certification I leave to others.

[@youmakemelaugh222]

3:24 👁👁 Damn I had to go back three times, I've never seen a🌳with a fire hydrant poking out, or a branch holding a pole...

[@goodnight3663]

they say they're destroying it now but from what it seems they've only done 1/8 of a block so far

[@Mira-cf9ek]

It just tells you how long that site has been abandoned for when a tree has grown around a fire hydrant.

[@jameseastwood4984]

I visited the plant in 2018, it was being guarded by security and a big redevelopment was planned. I guess the redevelopment never raised the capital to start, which isn't surprising to be honest, the site is too big.

[@matthewsanders1486]

I would like to know more now😂

[@noahneutral7557]

I can't believe it's been torn down now.

[@davidpowell3347]

Wonder if the Proving Grounds and the "New Engine Plant" (produced the v8 engines for the 1955 and 1956 model years,also some engines installed in Studebaker "Skypower" are somewhere nearby the Packard was probably the best American car during its heyday,although the last years seem to have had terrible problems with their underdeveloped automatic transmission which probably contributed to the demise of the brand,also the failure to update the old but good plant in favor of trying to assemble the cars in an undersized facility that was leased from Chrysler

[@roddycreswell8613]

This is what evil politicians can do to a thriving city.

[@vlauxa]

I'm glad I _'Inspired you to get your ass down there and spend a few hours shooting Packard'_ The person who fell down the elevator shaft actually fell at the Grand Trunk Warehouse, the Packard Plant is only 7 floors at it's tallest. I do have a collection of my raw photos in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYDQqZelrraUn5Y

[@christopherburns6194]

Thank you for making that correction the kid was at the beaches cold storage place 1921 East ferry the only connection with the packer plant is that the owner of 1921 East ferry also owns the packer and it is Fernando palazzolo

[@loriepostlewaite162]

Sad to see such once a grand place come to what is now this

[@_Aurel1a]

Bro found da hood irl 💀

[@joluijten6313]

What is the background music from about 7.30 min ??

[@Nerdsplayingcards]

Bruh u might find a random packard in that vast complex

[@davids9520]

The Packard Plant has and will be partially demolished. Part of the building has been rehabbed. And is in use. Why has it taken so long? Owners of the plant have blocked the government. Slowly that is changing. Exploration will be a thing of the past. Demolition goes slowly. They are trying not to effect the surrounding neighborhoods.

[@bluezndance]

what was that tunnel for at 6:31, i could not hear what you said?

[@christopherburns6194]

That tunnel is a service tunnel for the electrical heating steam utilities

[@williambaribeau6518]

Heading there for 3 days on the 10 of October wanna meet up and explore?

[@neildickson5394]

Packard's glorious past, today's saddest story. What world auto globalization have wrought in America.

[@plymouthmechanic3423]

14:50 a pile of shoes? That looks really out of place

[@christopherburns6194]

Well it was great film photography some of your information was wrong the kid was at the Beatrice cold storage place at 1921 East ferry the only connection is that the packer plant owner on both buildings. The lady that was shot was not at the packer but it was down the street two blocks down and it open field across from a church at 1423 East Grand boulevard not the Packard. I know personally because I am the property manager at the packer plant currently and since 9/2014

[@alicemartin4984]

Why hasn’t Ford cleaned that up?

[@jazzman688]

Jimmy Hoffa where are you.

[@lewisner]

It's a great shame that the restoration fell through.

[@mizzkay2145]

The female Wayne State University student was my oldest niece mother

[@yoranw4608]

Awesome footage. *But I would strongly advise you to:* 1. Wear big and tall leather or rubber boots. Scorpions and eventually snakes could live among the trash. 2. Carry a gun. Beyond being within a big abandoned place, you are also in Detroit, a no man’s land.

[@matthewholtz8830]

Scorpions? Michigan? No. None of those there. I wouldn’t even worry about venomous snakes either.

[@yoranw4608]

@@matthewholtz8830 Well, you never know if someone dropped one there and they did reproduce... LOL

[@matthewholtz8830]

@@yoranw4608 that would cool to see it reproduce by itself. Lol

[@xPower4Goodx]

Yeahh you’re not from around here are you lmaooo

[@ericg4748]

I hate how he try to paint the narrative of don’t be downtown with expensive stuff. That’s ANYWAY! Detroit is back and we here! Great story

[@Dallas_K]

Detroit is back? Really?