Michigan Central Station, Detroit

Michigan Central Station (MCS), also known as Michigan Central Depot, is a historic former intercity passenger rail station located in Detroit. Constructed between June 1912 and December 1913 for the Michigan Central Railroad, it replaced the original downtown depot after a major fire on December 26, 1913, forced the still-unfinished station into early service. The station was formally dedicated on January 4, 1914.

Designed in the Beaux-Arts style by the architectural firms Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore, who also worked on New York City's Grand Central Terminal, the building features a three-story train depot and an 18-story office tower, standing at 230 feet (70 meters). At the time of its construction, it was the tallest rail station in the world.

Located in Detroit's Corktown district near the Ambassador Bridge, approximately southwest of downtown, the station is situated behind Roosevelt Park, which serves as a grand entryway. The Roosevelt Warehouse is adjacent to the east, connected to MCS via a tunnel. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

After decades of declining passenger numbers, the station closed on January 6, 1988, when Amtrak service was relocated. The building remained vacant for years, becoming a symbol of Detroit's urban decay. In May 2018, Ford Motor Company purchased the building, aiming to redevelop it into a mixed-use facility as part of the company's new Corktown campus. Following extensive renovations, the station reopened on June 6, 2024, serving as a tech and cultural hub.

The restored Michigan Central Station now offers guided tours, allowing visitors to explore its history and transformation. These 90-minute tours, powered by Detroit History Tours, take guests through the ground floor to experience the station's historic restoration and its role as the centerpiece of Michigan Central's 30-acre tech and cultural hub.

The station has also been featured in various films, music videos, and television shows, reflecting its iconic status in Detroit's architectural and cultural landscape.