Latent

Michigan Central The Shop

Project Description

On June 6, Michigan Central Station officially reopened its doors to the public for the first time in nearly four decades following an extensive six-year renovation by Ford Motor Company. The once-abandoned train station has reopened its doors as the centerpiece of Michigan Central, a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. The project represents a commitment to the city of Detroit and its future, with The Station becoming a beacon of development and opportunity.

Latent designed The Shop, a retail container to sell Station merch for the crowds of more than 60,000 people that participated in the reopening festivities. OPEN celebrations continue through the end of summer, when The Station welcomes new tenants to the ground floor. Latent also designed the forthcoming Biophilic Retail space as part of the Early Activations projects.

Project Details

Date
2024
Location
Detroit, MI
Area
200 sf
Typology
BOOMBOX Retail
Client
Michigan Central

Partners

GC Christman/Brinker, Fabricator McKinley Design
The Shop ©Michigan Central

Project Gallery

Native plantings line the path leading to The Shop. ©Michigan Central
The Shop sits just off the main paved path toward the east entry of The Station. ©Latent
The Shop seamlessly blends a retail pop-up into this newly created zone. ©Latent
Standing as a distinct object within the landscape. ©Latent

  1. 1 Horizontal Shingle Study

    Horizontal shingles provide a more linear abstraction of the shipping container.

  2. 2 Horizontal Shingle Study

    10'-0" x 3'-6" horizontally shingled mechanically fastened panels removed the need for an entry canopy at the entrance..

  3. 3 Vertical Shingle Study

    Full height 3'-6" x 11'-0" panels shingle vertically around the container to create linear rhythm + shadow relief.

  4. 4 Vertical Shingle Study

    Vertical shingles conceal the steel structure inside.

  5. 5 Flat Facade Implementation

    The flat facade was chosen due to time constraints. The container was fabricated in Michigan City, IN+ shipped to Detroit, MI for installation.

  6. 6 Flat Facade Implementation

    This design extends the height of the shipping container for more presence in the plaza. Using the front and backside of the Hardie-Board panels, a subtle textural rhythm is achieved.

Visitors lined up to purchase merch from The Shop. ©Michigan Central
Thousands of visitors showed up at the newly open Michigan Station campus. ©Michigan Central
Roosevelt Park fully renovated and planted for the public opening. ©Michigan Central.
“This will be a place for the community to enjoy and a destination for visitors from all over. We will have restaurants, music, art, and great retail. And the innovation that will happen here, with startups and companies big and small, will help ensure Detroit preserves its title as the Motor City for generations to come.”

Bill FordExecutive Chair of Ford

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