Its a muse to thinkers around the world, who find anger, grief, astonishment and beauty in its decaying space. Want to book the packard plant for a video shoot or photography access. Buy it on amazon or get signed copies here subscribe to our mailing list for news and. A favorite of graffiti artists, photographers, urban explorers and people wanting to be photographed there, the packard plant is a modern ruin that echoes the. The packard plant was noted as the most modern automobile manufacturing facility in the world. The plant was 3,500,000squarefoot in other words huge. When it opened in 1903, packards detroit plant was the most advanced auto. The packard motor car company was founded by two brothers, james and willam packard, with a tidy sum of money they made producing arc lamps in the 1890s.
The packard automotive plant is a former automobilemanufacturing factory in detroit. I have often thought that had the george mason envisioned american motors of packardhudsonnashstudebaker have come about, there would have been an automtive assembly plant built next to the v8 engine plant to handle all of the companys big car assembly, ala gms boc of the 1980s boc big overpriced cars. Before and after the sad story of the packard plant the. Designed by renowned architect albert kahn, construction began in 1903. Packard plant 1560 e grand blvd detroit, mi historical places. That includes the former packard factory 43 abandoned buildings on detroits east side, sprawling shells of concrete with graffiti and rubble. A lot of great stories, technical specifications, production figures almost everything, you want to know about cars and company.
This might seem like a silly question, but is the actual building no. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read detroits spectacular ruin. Packard plant makeover finally springs into action. Free press photographer brian kaufman matched 21st century scenes from the packard plant with images captured in historic.
See all 2 packard automotive plant tours on tripadvisor. The former packard motor company plant in detroit is one of the most recognizable symbols of the decline of the citys once vibrant auto industry. A view of the north half of the packard motor car companys campus from the administration building, taken in 2009 updated july 19, 2019 by matthew christopher when it opened in 1903, packards detroit plant was the most advanced auto factory in the world. Few engines throughout history have achieved a near mythical status among its admirers.
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download. Packard automotive plant detroit, michigan atlas obscura. The warm fall and early winter weather allowed work to begin on the environmental cleanup of the former administrative office building of the packard motor car company. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Detroit packard plant, face book page to be used by fans of the plant to connect and exchange information about the plant and detroit.
Update on progress of the packard plant project the old. Making a home in an old packard plant the new york times. The longawaited start of redevelopment at detroits derelict packard plant could finally get under way this year. It is an amazing collection of oncemagnificent buildings that had been a stateoftheart industrial location, serving as both the packard company headquarters as well as. The packard motor car company plant, in detroit, michigan, seen above was for a long time, one of the grandest examples of an automobile factory in the world. The old packard plant isnt just detroits largest decaying structure. The packard plant kindle edition by welsh, theresa, welsh, david, welsh, theresa. Before and after the sad story of the packard plant. Packard plant project the packard plant project is committed to the restoration and revitalization of the abandoned packard plant in detroit, michigan.
Historic photographs of the packard motor car company, detroit mi matthew christophers abandoned america. Last thursday, workers covered the historic bridge on both sides with a mesh cover imprinted with the structure as it was back when the plant was in its heyday in the early 20th century, detroit. Packard was a premier nameplate in the united states, mentioned in the same breath as duesenberg, cadillac, piercearrow, and lincoln. The old packard plant in detroit is one of the citys icons. The packard plant on east grand in detroit was an old twostory facility. We recommend booking packard automotive plant tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Was built in the early 50s, was razed a couple years ago, it took a year to tear it down because of the design, steel reinforced concrete. Feb 06, 2020 from this modern vantage point, it might seem inevitable that rollsroyce would join forces with packard to produce merlins. Visit pure detroit for more information and to sign up. One can find here detailed packard history and a lot more the book tells about the people and the times they lived. How detroit massproduced britains handbuilt powerhouse by terry dunn on feb. Thenpresident of the company, henry joy, looking for a fresh take on factory buildings, enlisted local architect albert kahn to design the companys complex. In shambles with the rest of the property, the pedestrian bridge at the packard plant in detroit is now wrapped in its 1930s glory for the next year. The site had been partially vacant for many years before the last tenant moved out in 20.
While some look at the packard plant and see decay and ruin, we see an opportunity to revive a great name and be a. One of the largest redevelopments in detroit right now thats moving forward is the packard plant. Packard senior 1915 to 1939 standard 8, super 8, v12, 1926 to 1928 six. She refuses to yield, standing in a distressed neighborhood, which is in a distressed city, standing as a symbol of the greatness of a former company, a former industry and. Allan hill welds at home in an abandoned packard automotive plant. No one under the age of 18 permitted regardless of adult accompaniment. The packard club is dedicated to the enjoyment, maintenance, and accurate restoration and preservation of the products and history of the packard motor car company of detroit, michigan, a manufacturer of one of the greatest marques in world history. Then and now would have great for packard fanciers. The packard plant redevelopment will start construction this. Since that time stabilization efforts, structural testing, planning, and permitting have been ongoing. Abandoned and in decay, the packard plant an iconic detroit ruin. Fewer still can share credit for the rescue of an entire nation. Now, a peruvian developer has plans to turn it into an office and entertainment complex over the next decade. Aug 15, 2011 the primary problem was the massive capital outlays that packard was making, 54 million for studebaker, the costs of building a brand new engine plant and new assembly plant conner ave, the total revamp of the cars for 1955, and a totally new car planned for the 57 model year which would have utilized a common platform for studebaker packard.
Packard automotive plant detroit 2020 all you need to. The crown jewel for packard was the packard factory, a 3. It was designed by the famous albert kahn think the fisher building, hill auditorium, and the belle isle conservatory. I grow up very close to the packard plant and this book lets me see what came out of such a large building. A history of the motorcar and company an automobile quarterly library series book hardcover packard. Jul 19, 2019 a view of the north half of the packard motor car companys campus from the administration building, taken in 2009 updated july 19, 2019 by matthew christopher when it opened in 1903, packard s detroit plant was the most advanced auto factory in the world. Packard motor car companyis a chapter in my book, abandoned america. Discover packard automotive plant in detroit, michigan.
The packard motor car company in world war two detroit, mi photos of the packard plant on east grand boulevard below are photos and artists renditions of the huge packard complex in detroit over the years. For example, it says packards were built at the plant through 1956, but as packard buffs know packard production was moved to a facility on connor ave. Packard 1935 to 1947 models 110, 115, 120 clipper except. The concrete shell of an industry giant remains as a playground for graffiti artists, auto scrappers, and paintball warriors. No one under the age of 18 permitted regardless of adult. Even in ruin, detroits packard plant inspires artists. Utica plant packard antique automobile club of america.
Packard plant owner looks to sell ferry street building for. Finding the connor avenue chrysler plant available, he purchased it to assemble the heavily updated packard for 1955. The packard plant designed by architect albert kahn ran production from 1903 to 1958. The historic packard plant bridge collapses architectural. Developer fernando palazuelo acquired the packard plant. Packard plant redevelopment could actually happen soon. The packard automotive plant is a former automobilemanufacturing factory in detroit, michigan, where luxury cars were made by the packard motor car company and later by the studebakerpackard corporation.
An illustrated history of packard advertisingpaperback packard crestline serieshardcover. Perhaps only the rollsroyce merlin engine can claim both distinctions. The packard plant project is committed to the restoration and revitalization of the abandoned packard. From this modern vantage point, it might seem inevitable that rollsroyce would join forces with packard to produce merlins. We last checked in on progress at the packard plant project in detroit, michigan on may 12, 2015. A lot of great stories, technical specifications, production figures almost everything. While some look at the packard plant and see decay and ruin, we see an opportunity to revive a great name and be a part of the revival of americas greatest city. The packard automotive plant is a former automobilemanufacturing factory in detroit, michigan, where luxury cars were made by the packard motor car company and later by the studebaker packard corporation. We drove our 1934 standard 8 club sedan through the plant on the way to the old test track, owned by ford at the time, and we could do as many laps as we wanted. Kanter auto products classic packard restoration parts. Jan 01, 2005 excellent book not only for packard enthusiasts. Dec 04, 2012 the packard motor car company plant, in detroit, michigan, seen above was for a long time, one of the grandest examples of an automobile factory in the world.
The old packard engine plant later ford trim plant on 23 mile and mound in shelby twp. Dwight heinmuller is asking anyone who worked at the detroit plant or knows someone who did or has photos. The company moved into its first new and modern albert kahn designed, reinforced concrete building on east grand blvd. The book this book explores a bit of history, but is mainly about the packard plants life after the demise of the packard company. See more ideas about detroit, detroit history and abandoned detroit.
Hill, a 68yearold semiretired autobody worker, has lived in an old packard plant, the concrete hulk that was once headquarters of the longdefunct automobile. The packard plant was opened in 1903 and at the time was considered the most modern automobile manufacturing facility in the world, with skilled craftsmen involved in over eighty trades. Click here to request a packard catalog to be mailed to you. Tours of the plant are now offered through pure detroit on saturdays and sundays. The packard plant kindle edition by welsh, theresa, welsh. May 26, 2015 in shambles with the rest of the property, the pedestrian bridge at the packard plant in detroit is now wrapped in its 1930s glory for the next year. Free press photographer brian kaufman matched 21st century scenes. Update on progress of the packard plant project the old motor. Nance was an animated, driven man who looked at modernization as a key for both manufacturing and selling better products from his days running the appliance maker hotpoint. The packard plant still stands today, dilapidated, defiled, ignored and crumbling with the passing of time, but not yet ready to succumb to the ravages that old age bring. Packard automotive plant history the packard motor car company was founded by two brothers, james and willam packard, with a tidy sum of money they made producing arc lamps in the 1890s. Modern assembly plants were on a single story, and so nance sought such a plant.
Packard plant detroit, usa attractions lonely planet. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The undertaking will be massive 1015 years, but tenants could be moving into the. Feb 01, 2017 one of the largest redevelopments in detroit right now thats moving forward is the packard plant.
All at once, it represents the vibrant history of the motor city, its rocky past decades and the chance for something new to spring up. An antiquecar historian is looking for former employees of the packard motor car co. The packard plant redevelopment will start construction. Jul 23, 2018 here are the top 10 reasons why packard died.
Jan 23, 2019 the packard plant in detroit, michigan can surely be referenced as one of the most talked about car manufacturing plants in america. An illustrated history 18991958paperback ask the man who owns one. In the years following world war ii, the packard motor car company struggled to keep pace with the larger automakers that had purchased. Packard plant at risk of foreclosure again hemmings daily. See more ideas about abandoned detroit, detroit and abandoned places. Packard plant owner looks to sell ferry street building. The packard plant in detroit, michigan can surely be referenced as one of the most talked about car manufacturing plants in america.
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