As Ford Authority first reported back in January 2024, Ford has long been eyeing the possibility of adding a hotel to its renovated Michigan Central Station site, which is largely being used as a mobility hub housing a variety of companies and entities. At that time, FoMoCo chairman Bill Ford revealed that the company was “very close to announcing a hotel” at Michigan Central Station, as it just needed a zoning change to occur before that could happen. A very recent trademark filing added more fuel to that fire, and now, Ford has officially unveiled plans for its new hotel.
Michigan Central will officially partner with the Sydell Group – a joint venture with Hilton – to bring the NoMad hotel brand to Detroit, where it will occupy the top five floors of the 18-floor former train station. Those spaces have never been used before, interestingly enough, but will provide some amazing views of the surrounding area with 180 rooms – including 30 suites – plus a signature restaurant, bar, collaborative spaces, and even wellness amenities. Construction of NoMad Detroit is expected to start at the end of this year, and plans are to open the hotel in the first half of 2027.
“This new renovation of The Station brings together iconic American companies like Ford and Hilton at a location that’s truly a historic hub for U.S. travel,” said Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “We love the notion of two 100-plus-year-old companies collaborating to create a venue that promises to be a major boost not only for Michigan Central but for the city of Detroit as well. One of the things we love about having hospitality at Michigan Central is that it adds another dimension to attracting and keeping people here, bringing energy to all the other activities that we’re doing.”
Michigan Central will work to include many historic features of the old train station into its new hotel, including the clock that’s already on display – a piece that was actually taken after the site was abandoned – and later returned anonymously when Ford purchased the property. Ford also plans to retain cultural touchpoint such as the 4,000 rivets that it salvaged from the old carriage house, plus even some graffiti that remains on the walls.
Comments
Ford Motor Company would be a lot better off if Junior spent as much time fixing the many issues that plague the company as he does with this boondoggle.
Agree. He keeps throwing money at further Michigan development and it’d be faster if he just flushed cash down the toidy.
The Ford family has a tradition of not knowing when to pass leadership to the next team.
Look no further than Henry Ford and Henry Ford II. Time for Bill Jr. to retire from the auto side of the business. He’s more successful and focused in real estate
NoMad? Not to be confused with the iconic Chevy Nomad, a gorgeous classic. Somehow it seems like the wrong name for part of a Ford endeavor.