Walking through the restored Michigan Central station in Detroit

[@kazikian]

Never thought I’d say “Thank you, Ford.”

[@willc5512]

Its alright. Amazing Ford Engineering was able to reproduce parts that were lost/destroyed. Im still a bit disappointed in the stock performance during this time. It was Awful at $4 a share. 😒. I took some loss.

[@elsiehupp]

I don’t hate the Ren-Cen-I’m a huge John Portman nerd-but obviously yeah a lot more love went into this restoration than went into the Ren-Cen’s post-apocalyptic concrete bunker.

[@nobilesnovushomo58]

Ford introduced the $5 workday. Ford made the automobile affordable. Ford never declared bankruptcy. The Ford Family are still senior management. Only bidders too. GM is an accounting firm, Ford is a Legacy. Grande Companié

[@elsiehupp]

@@nobilesnovushomo58 Henry Ford opposed his company’s unions, though, and you don’t want to know what he thought about Jewish people… (To be fair, his descendants seem a lot more reasonable.)

[@nobilesnovushomo58]

@@elsiehupp He gave good wages, and GM did the same in anti-union, but Ford had ground to stand on compared to them. and I do. The average European immigrant thought the same way Ford did.

[@ronaldsmith2965]

Even when it was in bad shape, you couldnt hide that it was a beautiful building. Seeing it like this brings more pride to a great city.

[@deniseboldea1624]

Agreed, but it still flummoxed me when I saw photo's of the building while it was in ruins how the vandals managed to tag all the way up to the ceilings. That's about 40 feet high. I'm glad to see it being restored to its former glory.

[@southsidetom]

Kudos to all the architects, engineers and tradesmen who restored this building! Awesome workmanship!!

[@motorcityadam]

Absolutely incredible. What a tour. Thank you. Detroit knows how to renovate a historical space, more than any other city.

[@supernova-u1x]

100%. Incredible craftmen

[@DanCampbellsBrain]

Ford* knows how to.

[@motorcityadam]

@@DanCampbellsBrain Yes, definitely Ford in this case. But this city has more than a few developers that know how to restore long-vacant, once-derelict buildings to their former glory. Bedrock comes to mind and whoever their contractors are.

[@Zhiperser]

It helps that the city was too broke to tear them down when they were at their worst. That's where most cities messed up.

[@microdubber]

Thank you to FoMoCo! They (Bill Ford in particular) did a very good thing here.

[@courageous1483]

Thanks so much for taking me back into my history. I used to take the train with my Nana and then over to JL Hudson's Downtown to shop and eat at the restaurant! Always dressed to the nine's with white gloves and a hat.

[@m42037]

Most of today's styles are frightening, could you imagine wearing stretch pants and pajamas and Crocs and slippers back then? The styles in the 1920s-60s were very elegant

[@courageous1483]

@@m42037 Amen!!

[@dongreer9082]

I wish my Nanna and grampa were still with us to see what’s happening in Detroit. 😢🎉

[@courageous1483]

@@dongreer9082 Oh yes, my grandpa had passed away before I was born, but Nana made up for it 1000 fold!! She would of been very pleased, but the heartache of watching the city decline hurt her. She sold her house off of Wyoming Ave. in 1969. My mom graduated from Mackenzie High School in 53'. Glad you had a Nana too!! They are irreplaceable. 💜

[@codymoffatt1281]

White gloves and hat . I wish men and woman still dressed like that today.

[@roadhog19]

As a lifelong Michigander only living 15 minutes away, I must say they did a fantastic job on this station. So nice to see it brought back to it's once glorious condition. Nice work to all who worked on it.

[@Paulco67]

Some very serious money spent. Lots of federal historic tax credits recouped but what an OUTSTANDING job! Kudos to the architect, engineers, contractors and worker bees. SUPERB work you should all be very proud of!

[@delmartin3263]

👍Great Job. Our city is coming back strong.

[@Blendeture]

I'm from Calgary and have never been near Detroit in my life. But I'm a big street-view explorer and noticed this building years ago when I was looking at the city. I am floored at what a thoroughly amazing restoration was done. Honestly brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for the great video!! 😃🇨🇦

[@Detroittruckdoctor55]

I go stand by this when I'm feeling down. To remind myself no matter how hard things are in today's economy great things can still be accomplished.

[@krwd]

big thanks to FORD for seeing the beauty in this place they do not build places like this anymore

[@The1TheyCallFoo313]

When I was kid in the 90s, me and my friends would watch the 4th of July Fireworks on the rooftop. Never thought I'd see the day it looked like this.

[@RickyHoss]

Don't be the guy looking for the stairwell

[@presspound7358]

Kudos to the Ford Motor Company for financing/managing this miraculous restoration. We’re talking almost a BILLION dollar$ here. Well worth it though. I’m supposing that the tower will house either offices or condominiums and/or a hotel-apartment combo. Congrats to the teams of workers, technicians and project managers.👍🇨🇦

[@GoGoWhoa64]

Another Detroit jewel

[@svenlundergard1]

Thank you FORD company for bringing this building back to life!! WHAT AN INSPIRATION AND GIFT TO DETROIT PEOPLE!!! I want to have my wedding in the Grand Room if that could ever be possible!!! LOVE THIS!! THANK YOU THANK YOU !!

[@MPB059]

So happy for the motor city for their comeback and this renovation of this building is amazing!

[@m42037]

Detroit isn't back, you definitely must be from another state or country. About 80% is still blight.

[@nigelhorsley7395]

​@@m42037 it's a start

[@YesIagreeBut]

​@@m42037 Man, just go to sleep.

[@vettebecker1]

Glad they restored it. Iconic landmarks such as this is a true testament to the love the country had for the railroads. Also, the railroads built structures such as this to show the pride the company’s had for themselves and the service they provided

[@TheRoadTripChannel]

Greetings from New Jersey! Never been to this building. After 40 years of decay, what a masterpiece of art 🎨. Absolutely beautiful 😍😍😍! Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station for short) is going through a 5 year complete restoration project in Newark, New Jersey. This used to be a major station of the old Pennsylvania Railroad. The people of the City of Detroit, Michigan should be very proud. Congratulations!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@ph1sts]

The merger of the Pennsylvana and New York Central RRs were just like Democrats and Republicans of today. Or oil and water.

[@LovinLnCottage]

I grew up in Michigan. My great great great grandfather was an immigrant from Germany and settled in Frankenmuth. I am so delighted to see this restoration and that Detroit is coming back to the booming city that it was right after WWll when I was a child. Hope that you restore the stellar education system that I had to its top status in the country again as well. That is far more important than a building.

[@john172867]

I always thought a super train from Detroit to Chicago would be awesome. Hopefully it's being considered.

[@DavidSmith-xs3or]

I remember when, just before this station closed, my family would take the train go Texas to visit my mom's family. It was the late 70s, after my dad had passed away. The station was rather dark and dirty, but I was impressed by the grandeur of it. It reminded me on buildings like this I saw in old movies, where everyone dressed up and there were different cab companies that had waiting areas around the station. I loved those fancy chandeliers, and those tall arched windows , even back then. They reminded me of the Fisher Building, General Motors buiding and the Guardian Building; all ornate, beautiful and elegant in their own ways.

[@courageous1483]

Don't forget about JL Hudson building!!

[@DavidSmith-xs3or]

@@courageous1483 I'll always remember J.L.Hudsons...and their toy department on the twelfth floor. And then there was Crowley's....and that fancy white " wedding cake" of a building they were in.

[@davidnierzwick2775]

Beautiful , my Dad left for the Navy in WWII form this building.🤩

[@elsiehupp]

A note about the pitting on the columns: it probably isn’t water damage; travertine (a type of Italian marble) just looks like that. Travertine is unusual in that it has a spongy texture, like volcanic rock, despite being a type of limestone. (Marble does get damaged-literally dissolved-by acid rain, but there’s a lot less acid rain since laws and treaties 30-40 years ago started mandating that coal power plants scrub sulfur dioxide from their smoke.)

[@lookingup333]

I've never visited Michigan, but it still feels good to see historical architecture preserved. Especially in a city that brought so much wealth to our country. God Bess America!!! 😊

[@ZackHeinkel2000]

I visited Detroit, two years ago, I saw this station under repairs from the distance. I'm glad it'll bring life to a city that it looks like it was attacked by Heinkels.

[@john172867]

When I would return from Windsor on the Ambassador Bridge, this building would look so ominous. Thank you Fords for bringing it back to life.

[@joejosepf2709]

We lived in Windsor and could see this building from our street on Askin Ave. and we would walk over the Bridge to a Tigers game

[@PaulSteinmayer]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Many times in my youth in the 1960s and early 1970s, I would come here with my Dad and Grandmother because she always took the train to Chicago... and my memories of this place are very fond! One time, my dad, sister and I were invited to climb aboard an idling engine on one of the tracks in the train shed, and I sat in the engineer's seat as we rolled back and forth a few times in the shed!!! I can't wait to visit the station and relive some of these amazing memories!!!

[@richardsobieck9660]

It’s awesome they saved this magnificent building! Thanks for the update!

[@MS-qf5ii]

My mother grew up on Bagley st and would go to the station to meet up with her boyfriend (dad) because she was not allowed to date. Each time she did she got a spanking. They married in 1953. “Ma” turned 92 in May. She can’t see to well. We plan on visiting in August. We make Texas home now. Very little snow ;) Thank you to all who cared about this beautiful building! Ma Savala ❤

[@eddiedavis8813]

I grew up just a few feet away from this building we have been on the roof over 30 years ago but it is a true blessing to see this building brought back to life .

[@StizelSwik]

My grandfather worked here as an young man when his parents first came to America (I am a 2nd generation American). It was an amazing building then. I was torn when I saw it all abandoned and decaying with nature reclaiming the land. Now it is as it once was... a beautiful building showing the artistic and beauty that human imagination can give. Now let's all KEEP IT THAT WAY!!!

[@strobe155]

....jaw...dropped.........officially ......THANK YOU for posting!

[@john172867]

Hopefully they will have trains operating again so people will visit our beautiful City of Detroit.

[@rayrussell6258]

Unless it was shutdown, AMTRAK runs right along Michigan Avenue. It connects to Chicago. I bought tickets in the Dearborn Station one time for a trip to Arizona.

[@JohnAnderson-sq8lt]

Beautiful City? Detroit is a shithole!

[@TrainMike2013]

Connection tracks were removed long ago. The amount of work required to even try to make that possible would not be economically feasible. Look at Google maps satellite view, you'll see what I'm talking about.

[@rayrussell6258]

@@TrainMike2013 tracks from Chicago connection come to at least Dearborn, and that's closer to Detroit than Metro Airport. Norfolk Southern also has an office on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, near the AMTRAK Station tracks and Ford WHQ, last I checked.

[@J-1410]

@@TrainMike2013 The tracks are still there, with traffic in google maps

[@peterjohnston4051]

Magnificent refurbishment - reassuring to see that skilled craftmanship is still in existence.

[@AnnMitt]

Kudos to Ford and all the designers, engineers, and construction workers!

[@Wheelgauge-bt7ox]

Making Michigan beautiful again👍

[@kirkhassett8726]

So happy to see this irreplaceable building restored to its original glory. The key here is that, even with all the decay and vandalism, the hulk of the building survived. And it just goes to show that even the most intricate and elaborate fixtures and fittings from an earlier century still CAN be recreated, if there’s enough money to pay for it. Kudos to Ford for rescuing the station and for going all out on the restoration, and not cutting any corners. I would love to hope that someone, someday will step in and similarly rescue Buffalo’s masterpiece Art Deco Grand Central Terminal.

[@sylviawoods1806]

To see this beautiful stately building restored is wonderful.

[@Davett53]

Great! Thanks for posting. A lot was happening in 2017 to 2020, in terms of restoration, but it all closed down during the Covid (Corona Virus) Pandemic. So glad to see work had resumed, and is nearly finished. Back in 2017-18,....Bill Ford outlined many wonderful future uses for the building. A learning institution was one of the ideas, and a research facility, as new modes of transportation are being explored. It is so huge in there, I hope a transportation Museum is one of their plans. I think an entertainment complex would great, and many types of dining experiences,....possibly a grand hotel. I imagine the place has interesting acoustics. Thanks.

[@detroite8648]

It looks beautiful Detroit is coming back together I’m proud for my city…

[@daveringer9535]

My Dad would have loved to see this . Great job everyone who has worked on this restoration!

[@1aikane]

Beautiful!! So nice to see the historic place restored.

[@warrenwilson4818]

Fantastic project. I'm glad there is enough money--profit--around to make these grand projects possible. I'm 80. June 9, 2024. St Joseph, MO, USA

[@robertglickman4555]

What a great thing! Having seen the decay, of such an amazing place- this is such a nice way to start the day, seeing that when we work together we can make being human a fine thing. Thanks.

[@debbieneel8344]

Glad to see it back,went there as a child in the late 50's early 60's to catch train to Michigan City.

[@jennifergilmore1950]

For a person who grew up in Southwest Detroit I'm so happy to see this building restored, I used to walk by this building going to work and My Dad used to work for the Post Office over there on 14th street im beyond impressed with this building im so happy ❤❤❤❤happy

[@J.M.Chadwick6]

Congratulations on a wonderful job and for saving a landmark! Utica, NY saved and restored its magnificent New York Central station in 1978. It now houses county, state and other area offices. It has become an integral part of the community.

[@danpoole4915]

What a wonderful symbol of the past, present, and future of a great American city. Thank you for the tour.

[@fabienpoupon8493]

This restoration is amazing, almost as impressive as Notre Dame of Paris' restoration.

[@Blake4625kHz]

This was moving. When younger (and much much more carefree 😆) abandoned buildings esp around Chicago area were my mental escape when urban exploring. But as time went on, the ruins seemed more a sad homage to what once was. It is inspiring to see an American company investing in the preservation of some of our best eras in architectural design. I’ve been secretly obsessed with this place through online content over the years (as time to actually make it out that way never materialized). Absolutely blown away when you walked inside. From the clock to the ceiling and floors to the preservation of the dumb waiter access etc etc. interesting the sort of half restored access to the tunnel that leads under the tracks to the platform. Even if most of that infrastructure is missing at present who knows, maybe a future light rail hub or stop at least. I want to hear Handel in that large arched hall

[@MatthewHall]

Thanks for the tour and it is incredible to see this building coming back to glorious life. Looking forward to seeing a tower tour someday.

[@jdeburen]

So many buildings like this in the U.S. have only seen the wrecking ball. It wonderful that they decided to restore and save it. I hope it becomes a new vibrant hub for Detroit.

[@dohdoh2430]

Absolutely beautiful. People really could build beautiful in the old days. Beautiful people create beautiful things.

[@juanj6116]

I used to work midnights at apac paper right behind that place in tha mid 90s what a sight at night seen people go in and out of the back doors scary but always knew that place was special and beautiful thank you Ford for bringing it back and the neighborhood too

[@IronhorseSara]

The great hall is so stunning!!!

[@ajknaup3530]

Well done, Ford; have to say I love what you are doing for the Motor City. At least as Grand as Grand Central Station. The trollies need to be brought back, also.

[@giardinodialberi8751]

Thanks for putting this together. What grand architecture. It used to be that taking the train to work was simply a part of the fabric of life. Elegant stations like this took the drudgery out of commuting and lent us an air of culture and inspiration.

[@LarkBlue-ek8wq]

As a Detroiter, I love seeing this! I didn't even know this was finally being done. Because for years there were talks about it being done.

[@Cjohns958]

What a beautiful building. My mother was born (1925) and raised in Detroit so I’m sure she had been there!

[@howebrad4601]

What an incredibly beautiful building. It was a shame it was vacant. Kudos to Ford for giving back and making this all possible. Awesome corporate citizen.

[@kdmil2002]

I have seen a couple of concerts being held there with the lit up building as a backdrop, at night. It is a stunning concert venue, which is just another layer of what this building will be used for. It is wonderful that Ford had the vision to bring this back. The workmanship is amazing and that whole level of artistry should not be allowed to die in the modern world.

[@brucebraxton7800]

When I was a little boy we used to ride the train it would stop right there in Detroit this was back in 63 when I was about 7 years old we rode the train from New York back to Detroit the dream was called New York Central back then nowadays you know it has Amtrak brings back a lot of memories

[@TheFourthSun]

Always loved this building! I remember several times taking the train with my mother from there to Chicago to visit family in the 1970s. It was amazing to walk in it then. How saddening it was to see it closed and deteriorating for all that time wondering what was going to happen to it. This restoration is another example and testament of the Ford family with their history and love for Detroit.

[@NOBS4theUSA]

This is terrific to see!!! This building was such a disaster, just standing in it's continuing decrepitude. Really, a great example of re-purposing, and urban renewal!!!

[@CenturyHomeProject]

This is simply stunning.

[@demnis]

HI and thanks for sharing this video with us 👍 I live here in the D Mi 😎 I've been driving by the Central station for years and I'm so glad someone is restoring it 🎉🤩💖

[@JeffMarraccini]

Fantastic video, thank you Sam and Wheel Bearings! Huge thanks to the Ford Motor Company and all involved for the amazing restoration of Michigan Central!

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

@4:50. How exciting that the original mechanism for opening those huge arched windows is still in place.

[@kradius2169]

Went right up to that building around 2000, after visiting the nearby, perhaps best kept secret in the U.S., Greenfield Village, and it was quite demoralizing to see such a grand structure on what one assumed was it's last leg. Kudos to Ford & everyone involved!

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

3:26 How do you know SO MUCH about this renovation? The info you provide is fascinating, like pointing out the squares in the floor where the benches were. Love it!

[@billgoodwin8742]

In 1967 my parents and I went to the station to pick up my grandparents that had taken a train up from Tennessee. I'm so glad to see that ford brought it back.

[@joejosepf2709]

Thanks so much..we lived across the river in Windsor and from our street we could see this building on a clear day..impressive recovery and renovation

[@sassi480]

One of my favorite things is the original stair case they kept. You can see where the original tile meets the new tile.

[@ksavage681]

Just amazing. I saw this before restoration and they have done a marvelous job on this place.

[@chaddallesandro2057]

BEAUTIFUL JOB!!

[@garryferrington811]

What a spectacular building. Ford has certainly done a nice job.

[@lilly3628]

Thanks for the tour. Beautiful building and my compliments to the tradesman and the Ford family.

[@JustaGaibroh]

Glad to see this. Great buildings being abandoned and becoming derelict is just a waste. This is a good development.

[@vintagechild4418]

I used to get the train to school in St. Louis, Mo. 1962-1964. Happy it was restored.

[@FloridaClay]

Magnificent! So much of this kind of rich history has been lost. It is so good to see this building survive.

[@tj-597]

I cannot even to BEGIN to imagine all the work that has been done in this building 🤔! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of what must have been one of the greatest experiences for people who once came to Detroit and the pride that both travelers and residents of this great city must have experienced! Let us pray that we can once again overcome and surpass the greatness that one of the best cities in the world.Say what you want about the Ford family but in doing this you can only admire their passion for the city of Detroit.

[@doublea9482]

I was there when Ford first bought it. WOW it looks absolutely amazing. Well done Ford, and all of the construction workers and architects.

[@Hey_Its_J_ay]

Thank you so much for the detailed tour. It was amazing.

[@OSTARAEB4]

Wow! So happy for Detroit and glad they saved the station. I’m sure or at least hope it’s on the National Landmark Register. Thank You!!! Too bad we couldn’t save New York City’s Pennsylvania Station demolished sixty years ago.

[@LaniseLashae_]

I just visited here! It’s Beautiful. Proud Detroiter! ❤

[@marcamorello2803]

Im so happy this building got the love it deserves but I just wish it could still function as it should as train station

[@8avexp]

Looks like Guastavino ceiling tilework. The Oyster Bar in New York's Grand Central Terminal, the entrance to the Chambers St. subway station and the registry room ceiling at Ellis Island all feature this tilework.

[@vap57]

The transformation is amazing. Fantasic research done on your part, as well!

[@danmkern754]

Best video I've seen yet. Thanks for the footage!

[@tomwilson8056]

First of all, this is a remarkable transformation! Thank You to the Ford Foundation and to Bill Ford. It is truly wonderful to see this landmark building restored to its former self. Repurposing the upstairs office spaces as an innovation business incubator is nothing short of brilliant. I grew up in Detroit and remember visiting the station, including a train trip to Chicago to visit my mother's family. Lots of good memories. Second - to the gentleman who shot this video: you REALLY need to learn how to shoot a video documentary. Your knowledge and description of the details were obviously extensive. Too bad they were so hard to appreciate because you kept the camera moving so much and so fast. It would help if you learned to pan s-l-o-w-e-r, so the viewer can fully appreciate and enjoy the subject. Don't be afraid to stop once in a while and let the frame settle. When you're filming, a second seems like an eternity. But when you're watching, it's like a hummingbird constantly in motion. There were moments when all the up and down motion made me dizzy. You don't have to be a professional videographer to do a better job!

[@Eikbiggs]

I really enjoyed your video. My dad worked there for Conrail in 85. I still remember the hump in the yard and all the old trans back then. I open the future they decide to restore some sort of train service to this building. I think it would add to Detroit. I know the Deerborn station is close. Just so cool to see this video. Almost exactly how I remembered it. Aside from skipping school and 97 sitting on the roof. Lol

[@ricobaldridge9144]

WOW very nice

[@kennethjacobs2151]

Great video. Thank you! There were a lot of people who looked to buy and restore that building for years. None did though because of the cost to restore it. I left the area back when they started putting in new windows, and seeing it now is amazing. You have to thank the Ford family for seeing this project through though.With all of the problems that the car companies have had over the last 10 years, I'm sure that having extra money for this project was not easy to drum up.

[@69UM24OSU12]

Great year for the Fords! Both Michigan Central and the Detroit Lions are better then they've been in decades. What a great gift for Detroit and the State of Michigan!

[@Megan-19]

It's absolutely beautiful! I also love that they kept part of the graffiti, looks so cool ❤

[@JuanaWatchDaWorldBurn]

I once went in there when it was abandoned and tagged some stuff up, sad to see they removed my tags but they did a great job restoring

[@ericcriteser4001]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing. I always knew this would happen and its wonderful.

[@jeffwatson4908]

Thanks for this informative tour. Going to Tiger Stadium and Corktown for so many years and passing this significant stand out building was a rather sad experience. Much credit should go to Ford for their efforts. To true representation of Detroit’s renewal.

[@scubatrucker6806]

My whole life remembering seeing this building standing there with out windows and wonding why they never demolished this building . I'm pleased that FORD bought and saved this piece of history of Detroit. ❤❤

[@supernova-u1x]

Absolutely Beautiful