In the late 1910s and early 1920s, Detroit’s automobile production began to boom.  The industry was on the move, and the automobile was becoming the vehicle that would move Detroit from a small industrial town to the “automotive capital of the world”, and a true industrial powerhouse.  This economic boom created a shortage of land in downtown Detroit suitable to build a headquarters for a rapidly growing General Motors.  When W. C. Durant concluded his search for the appropriate parcel on which to build his dream headquarters (originally known as the Durant Building) he settled for a spot on West Grand Boulevard, just one block west of Woodward Avenue.  Here, Durant would build the largest office buildings of its day.

The Fisher brothers followed Durant to the area.  When planning their new office building, they, too, originally searched downtown, but were kept away by the same crowded conditions that deterred GM.  They settled on a spot across from the Durant Building.  One could also speculate that the Fisher brothers selected a location for their building because they saw in the area an opportunity to create something new, leave a lasting impact, and build their dream of a “new center of commerce” in Detroit.

The brothers began with an almost blank slate.  They were not confined to plans and building styles developed in earlier times that filled the existing downtown.  In New Center they could create their vision of what a “downtown” could be.  The area offered a unique opportunity for the Fisher brothers.  In New Center they could turn their dreams into reality.

When the Fisher Building was completed, the brothers then built the New Center Building.  Owing to financial restrictions during the Great Depression, WWII and the Korean War, future building plans were suspended.  Fortunately, others followed and created substantial business and residential additions to the neighborhood, building on the foundation laid by the brothers, but none more so than General Motors.

For over 70 years, New Center served as the “corporate campus” for GM.  GM was an exemplary corporate citizen and caretaker of New Center.  They built buildings, they renovated historic homes and funded organizations dedicated to the betterment of New Center.  When GM decided to move their world headquarters to the Renaissance Center in the mid 1990’s, a grand era came to an end.  As this book is being written, a new era is underway.

General Motors could be considered the proud parents of New Center -- under their watchful eye, new center grew up.  By laying the ground work, investing in the future and providing the tools necessary for continued growth and stability, GM raised New Center from infancy to young adulthood.  Now all grown up, New Center is ready to go at it alone.  The rich history of New Center, which reflects the investment and nurturing of GM, the Fisher brothers and others can never be forgotten, and in fact is the foundation for most engaged in creating a new life for this unique district.

Looking after this special neighborhood and serving as official caretakers since 1967 is the New Center Council.  New Center Council, Inc. (NCC) is the pro-active leadership organization for the New Center, engaging its Board of Directors, civic and community leaders, and government officials in initiatives that keep this one of the region’s finest office, retail, and residential centers. The Board of Directors of New Center Council consist of the stakeholders in New Center including area business, non-profit and health care leaders, community activists, retail store owners, building owners, homeowners and others concerned with the general welfare of this special district.  This is the group that will carry on the strong tradition of excellence in New Center.

New Center is a neighborhood rich in tradition.  It is home to established businesses such as Detroit Hardware, WJR and Dittrich Furs and new businesses like Cuisine, Pure Detroit and Biz-R Collection.  New Center is new lofts in old buildings and old homes next to new townhomes. New Center is old friends living next to new friends, coming together for the common purpose of making this the best neighborhood in Detroit.

In New Center, we are greatly indebted to the creators for leaving such an unmatched architectural legacy from which to build on.  They created landmark buildings that could not be replicated today at any cost.  The also created an ethic of pride in the neighborhood’s well-being. This reverence for the past, combined with this community’s dream for a bright future, bodes well for the future of New Center as it proudly marches towards its second century

Randall Fogelman
New Center Council, Inc.
Spring 2004
 

CHAPTER SUMMARIES

Henry Ford Hospital
Auto pioneer Henry Ford bailed out the struggling Detroit General Hospital and acquired sole ownership of the land and existing buildings in 1915.  As he did with the automobile, Ford set about to create the best and most modern hospital, by using only the most state-of-the-art technology, methods and techniques available.  Since its founding, Henry Ford Hospital has grown from a 48-bed facility to one of the nation’s leading integrated health care systems.  In addition, because of the hospital’s location, many doctors choose to have individual practices in New Center and it is also home to two of the state’s major HMO’s.

General Motors
In the early 1920’s, while downtown was crowded, New Center offered the land needed for the quickly growing General Motors Company to build their corporate headquarters.  In addition to the headquarters building, GM owned and operated many other properties in the neighborhood, helping to shape the area for more than 70 years.  In 1997, GM announced that they would leave their long-time home and would be move downtown.  Shortly after that, the State of Michigan announced that it would consolidate its Detroit offices in the newly renovated General Motors Building.  This renovation is considered the largest historic renovation in the country after the Pentagon.  The building was renamed Cadillac Place, and now houses over 2,700 State employees.

The Fisher Brothers
The Fisher Brothers developed the closed carriage, which revolutionized the growing auto industry and allowed for automobile travel all year long.  Their major customer, General Motors, eventually acquired sole ownership of the Fisher Body Corporation and the “Body by Fisher” name, but not before the Fisher Brothers had left a permanent mark on New Center.  The Fisher brothers were the first to conceptualize of a “new center.”  Following General Motors, the brothers built their Fisher and New Center Buildings in what was, at the time, the true geographical center of the city.

Albert Kahn
Architect Albert Kahn made his mark on world, but nowhere is it more evident than in Detroit’s New Center.  New Center is home to a wonderful collection of Kahn buildings, including the landmark Fisher Building, Cadillac Place (formerly General Motors Building), and the Albert Kahn Building (formerly New Center Building), which still houses the architecture firm that Kahn founded.  Besides these office buildings, New Center is also home to many examples of the industrial buildings that Kahn is best known for.

New Amsterdam Historic District
The New Amsterdam historic district, as it is now called, is the southern-most area of New Center.  This part of the city bore witness to much of the auto industries early years.  Early on, it was home to many of the small automakers and suppliers that grew and merged into the history of the automobile.  Today, the area is receiving a new life as the home to the Wayne State University Research and Technology Park (TechTown) and through the conversion of many buildings into residential lofts.

Retail & Restaurants
New Center was, and remains today, a great place for shopping and dining.  While the options have changed since the early days, the variety is still here.  In the early days, visitors were treated to fine dining and high-end department store shopping.  Now, visitors come for the galleries, the boutique shopping and both fine and informal dining.

Living in New Center
Residential is the heart of any neighborhood.  Before General Motors built their headquarters at W. Grand Boulevard and Cass Avenue, New Center was a quiet residential neighborhood.  Housing ranged from modest multi-unit apartment buildings for the working class to beautiful single-family homes for Detroit’s growing upper class.  New Center is home to two wonderful historic districts: New Center Commons and Virginia Park.  These historic homes, in addition to newly constructed townhomes and modern lofts, contribute to a wonderful array of options for those wishing to live in New Center.

Entertainment
From the rich Motown sound to the top-rated radio station, WJR, New Center has been witness to much in Detroit’s music, media and entertainment history and offerings.  Movies and radio were important to the early days of New Center now, while radio is still important, most people associate New Center with Broadway performances at the Fisher Theatre.

Events
From the ceremony that marked the ground breaking of the Detroit General Hospital (later to become Henry Ford Hospital in 1912) to the massive Comerica TasteFest in 2003, New Center knows how to throw a party.  Since the founding of the New Center Area Action Council in 1967 (later the New Center Area Council and now New Center Council, Inc.), events have been a focal point of the neighborhood.  Held to raise money for a worthy cause, to promote awareness of the great neighborhood around us, or just to have a good time, New Center’s history is rich with events.

Future
The future of New Center is bright.  Nowhere in the city is there the wonderful combination of new construction and the renovation of historic buildings going so strong as in New Center.  The area has at its core a strong infrastructure of wonderful buildings and attractions.  When combined with creativity and added to the goal of a 24-hour mixed-use neighborhood, great things are sure to follow.