Ford WHQ and Michigan Central Anchor Detroit’s City of the Year Award
Detroit is a city known for grit, determination, and a rich culture of art, music, and design. It’s this perfect blend that keeps the vibrancy alive and the possibilities endless. Through the development of Michigan Central and Ford World Headquarters, Ford Land has helped support Detroit’s design-driven evolution. These properties, along with others across the city, are recognized by Wallpaper* Design Awards, which has named Detroit as City of the Year.
According to Wallpaper*, “Detroit looks different these days… New glistening towers soar high above the historic skyline… There’s a sense of optimism here that’s hard to find anywhere else in the US.”
Both Ford World Headquarters and Michigan Central were highlighted as leading examples of the transformation that has been occurring in Detroit and nearby neighborhoods. Ford Land brought together architects, designers, contractors, local artists, and community partners to shape places that reflect Detroit’s past while looking toward its future.
The new 2.1-million-square-foot Ford World Headquarters reflects a carefully considered approach to workplace design. Material choices, proportions, and details reference industrial roots, while the overall environment prioritizes spaces that support human connection and well-being.
Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub anchored by the historic former train station. The campus includes state-of-the-art labs, retail spaces, outdoor plazas, and 1.2 million square feet of commercial and public space, designed to attract both local and global visitors and the community.
Wallpaper* concludes, “And of the Big Three car manufacturers, Ford has perhaps been the most invested in the city’s revitalisation. On top of its investments in Corktown…the company is overhauling its headquarters… the paradigm-shifting complex… reflects the forward-looking brand’s mission of fostering collaboration, innovation, and community.”
Read the full write-up from Wallpaper.
