Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Michigan Central Station - Pre-Renovation Exterior

A view at the North elevation in April 2010.

Michigan Central Station's upper reaches on Jul 5, 2010

A view at Michigan Central Station still without windows on Apr. 5, 2016 from the rooftop of the Boblo Terminal Building.

The MCS front (north) elevation on April 2, 2010

A view at the Northeast elevation in April 2010

Cornice detail from June 2010

A view at the MCS rooftop on Jun 19, 2010

Detailed view at the cornice on the north facade in 2010

Fantastic shot of Michigan Central Station taken on Oct. 30, 2016

This image offers a perfectly centered view at Roosevelt Park from the top floor. The lower part of the image shows what's left of the roof above the Main Waiting Room

The upper reaches of MCS with the CPA building on the lower right corner of the image.

A view at the main entrance in May 2017.

This image offers a view at the railing along the east facade of MCS toward the bridge that led to the streetcar terminal

Here's a detailed view at the upper section of the front entrance in May 2017. MCS at 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216

A view at Michigan Central Station still without windows on Apr. 5, 2016 from the rooftop of the Boblo Terminal Building.

This image shows Michigan Central Station on March 19, 2016 when the Moroun family still owned the building. The Moroun family purchased Michigan Central Station out of tax-foreclose in 1995.

Here's a rooftop shot from Apr. 2010

This stretch of one-time 15th Street provided a ramped approach to the long-gone 15th Street overpass (1910-1976). It was still drivable, when this image was taken in July 2012.

Michigan Central Station on Jun 26, 2017

Michigan Central Station on Sep 1, 2018, shortly after Ford Motor Company acquired the building.

Michigan Central Station on Sep 1, 2018, shortly after Ford Motor Company acquired the building.

A northwest view of the upper floors exterior of Michigan Central Station in 2010. The long abandoned Southwest Hospital can be seen on the center left.

Exterior detail shot of the north facade from Oct. 2016

Michigan Central Station during sunrise on Nov 5, 2016

For many years, night photographers have used the train station as a backdrop for light painting.

Michigan Central Station photographed from the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse on Jun 26, 2017.

Tiger Stadium falls, looking west on Michigan Avenue toward Michigan Central Station on April 17, 2009.

The grand facade of Michigan Central Station

Michigan Central Station was perhaps the most infamous abandoned building in the world.

The front of MCS has been landscaped.

The rear elevation of Michigan Central Station as seen from the air

On Feb. 7, 2013, a window was installed at the top of the station. A sign of things to come? Or just a tease?

In the fall of 2012, Michigan Central Station's exterior was illuminated with architectural lighting.

The ghostly beauty of Michigan Central on a foggy morning

MCS as seen from the CPA Building

Michigan Central Station stands alone along Michigan Avenue

Michigan Central in the winter snow.

One of the distinctive characteristics of Michigan Central Station's original architects, Warren & Wetmore, is their signature treatment of the upper floors. This includes the use of arched windows, false balconies, double-height columns, and deep bracketed cornices, contributing to the station's grand architectural presence. Image from Nov 5, 2016

The abandoned train station became a sought-after spot for fashion photography, as seen in this rooftop shoot from 1998.