When my husband and I were planning our wedding, we were living on the East Coast. We both grew up in the metro Detroit area, and knew that a wedding in the Motor City was a no-brainer. Throughout the planning stages, I looked for ways to pay homage to our hometown. For our Save the Date cards, I was able to salvage and repurpose a vintage postcard of Michigan Central Station. Like many people, I had always been fascinated with the massive structure that, even in its abandoned state, stood as a grand fixture above Corktown. I was elated to showcase a piece of the city’s rich architectural history in our wedding planning, especially to our friends and family who lived out of state.
You can only imagine my surprise and utter excitement when I came across the same postcard on display in Michigan Central’s archival exhibit, “Resurrecting a Landmark,” during a recent visit following its grand reopening on June 6. There it sat, among other found relics and artifacts. It had been discovered among the station’s debris and given new life as a storied object. I instantly snapped a picture and messaged my husband — it was especially meaningful since our 13th wedding anniversary was just around the corner.
I’ve got quite a soft spot for historical restorations, so it’s with no surprise that I’ve been completely obsessed with how Ford Motor Co. was able to revitalize Michigan Central Station. Not too far away, in Grand Circus Park, there’s also the newly renovated Hotel David Whitney — definitely worth a stop when in the neighborhood! Housed in the historic David Whitney Building, Patrick Thompson Design seamlessly blended the building’s legendary glamour with a modern sensibility. Each of these structures is an extraordinary work of art. From their architecture to all their intricate details and unbelievable craftsmanship — it’s all so inspiring. There’s just so much life behind these classic edifices, too — so many memories, stories, characters. To see each alive again, weaving a new chapter with each day, makes me excited to see what other remarkable transformations might lie ahead for our city’s iconic landmarks.
There are also so many designers and artists paving brand-new paths for Detroit and our surrounding communities. In the East Village, gallerist Isabelle Weiss is redefining what a traditional gallery and exhibition looks like with her conceptual at-home space. Designer Staci A. Meyers took a renovation in an artistic direction, using contemporary works to define a Bloomfield Hills home, while designer Carrie Long also let art be the focus in a stunning new-construction with builder Dan Moore. At MOZ Interiors, owner and designer Lyzz Hope leaned into a mid-century home’s original details and gave it a family-friendly yet modern aesthetic — an insane before and after!
All these exciting new ventures of buildings and homes — both old and new — are further proof of why Detroit is a UNESCO City of Design. If you need additional evidence, just check out all the amazing events Design Core Detroit will be presenting this September for its 14th annual Detroit Month of Design. We can’t wait to attend!
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