US car maker Ford has acquired Michigan Central Station in Detroit and announced plans to turn it into an "innovation hub".
The station, which was the world’s tallest when completed in 1914, has been unused since 1988. It will be part of Ford’s 111,500 sq m Corktown campus, which has the aim of developing "smart, connected vehicles, roads, parking and public transit".
Ford commissioned Norwegian architect Snøhetta to design the campus.
Some 2,500 Ford employees will work at the centre when it is completed in 2022. There will be enough space to accommodate an additional 2,500 staff in the future.
The project will also include community and retail space, and residential housing.
Jim Hackett, Ford’s president, said: "This is where part of our team will live and work as a part of this community, alongside the customers and neighbours whose lives we’re trying to make better."
Work on the development is due to be completed by 2022.
Images courtesy of Ford
