Michigan Central is transforming into a 30-acre innovation hub that is pivotal in advancing urban transportation solutions for a sustainable and equitable future. Nestled in Detroit, this vibrant ecosystem hosts over 80 startups, acting as both a cultural district and community for designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Tasty treats at Yellow Light in The Station (photo credit: Stephanie Rhoades Hume for Michigan Central)
Central to the mobility innovation efforts at Michigan Central is Google, which recently marked a significant milestone. In April 2023, the historic building that once housed the Book Depository reopened its doors as Newlab at Michigan Central, providing a workspace for entrepreneurs focused on creating sustainable mobility solutions.
According to Visit Detroit, “Detroit is quickly becoming a major player in the tech and innovation space.” Long known as the cradle of the automotive industry, Detroit is reinventing itself as a dynamic tech hub, attracting heavy investments from giants like Ford, Google, and Amazon. A burgeoning ecosystem of startups is emerging, concentrating on mobility, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, thereby shaping the future of industrial technology.
For travelers, Michigan Central is not just a center of innovation; it also offers guided tours of The Station, which showcase its historical restoration. These 90-minute tours allow visitors to explore the ground floor and witness the transformation of the once-shuttered train depot into a key element of this 30-acre tech-centric community.
Michigan Central Station, designed by the same architectural teams that crafted New York’s iconic Grand Central, was considered one of the grandest train depots in the United States. Visitors now have the opportunity to see the results of a stunning $1 billion renovation.
Group bookings for guided tours can accommodate up to 25 people, while individuals, families, and smaller groups can join public tours. As space is limited, advance reservations are highly recommended.
On-site tourism offerings also include a visitor center and a variety of shopping options like Neighbor x Folk, Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts, and Michigan Central’s official store, The Shop. Within The Shop, two new pop-up stores—Peoples Records and Source Booksellers—bring a slice of Detroit’s cultural heritage to the forefront.
Michigan Central also organizes various events, such as the monthly “Fridays at The Station,” which is a celebration featuring live music.
As noted by Visit Detroit, “What’s happening in Detroit isn’t just a revival—it’s a blueprint for the next generation of urban innovation.” The city is not looking to replicate Silicon Valley; instead, it is crafting a tech ecosystem focused on real-world applications, community-driven growth, and inclusive innovation.
For more information about guided tours of The Station, visit this link. For additional details on travel to Detroit, check here.
Newlab at Detroit’s Michigan Central (photo credit: Jason Keen)
