Brick walls and a copper skylight surrounded the concourse, a restaurant was at the far end. A large hall called an arcade housed a cigar shop, newsstand, pharmacy, barber shop, telephone booths, baths and an info booth. The main waiting room stretches the length of the building, it was modeled after the public baths of ancient Rome with walls of marble, vaulted ceilings, bronze chandeliers and massive Doric columns. Designed in the Beaux Arts Classical style it was the tallest train station in the world at that time. It was put into service before it was finished the old train station caught fire, trains were rushed over to the new station where they came and went until 1988. Sit back and enjoy Kris’s photos while I tell you about MCS. As I wait for the film to start I gaze at my surroundings, all of the rubble from years of decay and vandalism have been removed, a net clings to the ceiling in case a random brick comes loose, architectural details are highlighted by cool LED lighting. Rows of folding chairs are set up in front of a large screen, we sit in the back, there’s no escaping the frigid breeze that blows through giant window openings I’m glad I brought a blanket. We pass through that grand arch, a smile plastered to my face, we sign waivers and are given packages of hand warmers, I only half-pay attention, the building and the exotic lighting are captivating. I have never been this close before, walking with my head tipped back I have to be mindful of where I’m stepping, Kris competes with other tourists taking photos. ![]() Standing in front of the building I am awestruck by the sheer size and grandeur it’s beautiful. The temperature tonight is below average–it’s downright cold, an email suggests we bring blankets so I do. I’ve never set foot in the building, I’m so excited! ![]() After the film we have about 45 minutes for a self-guided tour. The film explores the rise, fall and epic re-birth through a single building Michigan Central Station. Detroit, once one of America’s richest city’s is now America’s comeback city. Ford, History and the Freep Film Fest are hosting a special screening of Detroit: Comeback City inside the building that inspired the film. It’s Friday evening Kris and I have the unique opportunity to see a film inside Michigan Central Station (aka the old train station) in Detroit. Today all of that changes, today we’re going inside and for all the right reasons the station will live again!! Time after time we’d pass by watching the cars with Illinois, Ohio, Ontario license plates snapping photos and selfies out front, propagating the image of Detroit as the graveyard of skyscrapers… Kris, ever the contrarian, was having no part of the cliche’. ![]() But it had become the symbol of the death of the city, the ruin porn capitol, an iconic image of Detroit’s decline. The family vacation to Colorado in ’72, the Freedom Train in ’76, remembering the beautiful castle-like space from his childhood. It wasn’t that he didn’t love the building, the architecture, the history he has fond memories of this place. For years Kris has avoided taking photos of Michigan Central station.
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