March 2025 Detroit.
Designed by Albert Kahn, among the first reinforced concrete factories ever built ... in the world. All thats left of the once mighty Packard Plant (car production ended in the late 1950's when Packard ended as a company.).
This is the north side of I-94. A building remains on the south side of I-94 where Packard built Merlin engines under license for P-51's during WW II). It opened in 1903, 40 acres at it biggest, nearly 4M square feet at the end.
Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations
2025: Here, on Grand Boulevard, looking east. The next intersection is Concord Street.
Below, This is looking easterly, the street between the buildings is Grand Boulevard, the left/right (north/south) street is Concord.
2019 below, corner of Concord and Grand Blvd, then the iconic bridge collapsed some after. Looking westerly on Grand Blvd.
below, in the good old days (circa 1940's), when it was still making new Packards, and a ton of other parts of the car, (lotta vertical integration).
I have been watching this whole thing for well over 40 years, and the 10 years I have been on FCBO. DIdn't know anything about it as a high schooler, virtually everything about it now as an old man with a hat.
Great sadness is what I mostly feel. These remaining two buildings are intended to remain, the 40 acres are for sale for development, on the condition the new owner include refurbishment of these two original buildings.
Maybe something cool will come from the Packard site ashes to long suffering (but slowly coming back) Detroit.
Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations