DETROIT — A long-anticipated addition to Detroit’s revitalized Corktown innovation district is set to open this spring as The Michigan Central Mezz — a new 17,000-square-foot coworking and collaboration space inside the iconic Michigan Central Station. The facility, launching in April, will expand access to workspace and entrepreneurial resources in the heart of one of the city’s most ambitious redevelopment projects.
The Mezz, situated on the mezzanine level of the restored station, will serve as a flexible hub for innovators, founders, corporate teams and creatives, offering a range of desks, quiet zones, private conference rooms, collaborative work areas, and amenities including a kitchen and private wellness spaces. Members will also gain 24/7 access, connection to industry partners, networking events and discounted access to space throughout the Michigan Central campus.
“We’ve seen growing demand from organizations that want to be part of what’s happening at Michigan Central,” said Carolina Pluszczynski, acting CEO of Michigan Central, in a press release announcing the space. “The Michigan Central Mezz is a bridge into the broader ecosystem — a flexible, modern space to work and collaborate, with direct access to district-wide opportunities, partnerships and infrastructure.”
A Historic Building Reimagined
Michigan Central Station once stood as one of Detroit’s grandest edifices. Opened in 1914 as a major rail hub, its distinctive Beaux-Arts design by the architects responsible for New York’s Grand Central Terminal made it a celebrated gateway to the city. After decades of abandonment following its 1988 closure, the building became a powerful symbol of Detroit’s decline.
That narrative began to change in 2018, when Ford Motor Company acquired the landmark for an estimated $90 million with the goal of transforming it into the cornerstone of a new innovation district. More than $740 million in restoration work has revived the station’s historic grandeur while converting interior spaces for modern use. The station reopened as part of the Michigan Central district in 2024, anchoring a 30-acre campus designed to attract technology, mobility and advanced manufacturing companies.
Today, the broader Michigan Central ecosystem houses more than 240 companies and 2,000 professionals, including startups supported by the venture platform Newlab, established firms, universities, nonprofits and public agencies. Founding partners include Ford, Google, the State of Michigan, the City of Detroit and Henry Ford Health, among others.
More Than Coworking — A Growth Engine
The Mezz is positioned not just as a workspace but as an entry point into Michigan Central’s innovation economy. Membership packages offer flexibility tailored to solo founders and large teams alike, with options for dedicated desks, private offices, lab and manufacturing access, and opportunities to co-develop training or community initiatives.
In addition to workspace, members will benefit from Michigan Central’s broader programming, including workshops, investor events, tech showcases and workforce training opportunities. The district also features product development labs, manufacturing space, testing zones and community-oriented experiences designed to keep Detroit at the forefront of technological advancement.
Local entrepreneur Johnnie Turnage, whose Black Tech Saturdays cohort will be among the first groups using the space, described the move as a major credibility boost for founders seeking growth opportunities. “When you’re building fast, having Michigan Central as a backdrop and partner gives you credibility to deploy pilots and secure partnerships,” Turnage said in recent coverage.
Construction of the Mezz is now underway, with doors expected to open to members in April. Interested applicants can apply through Michigan Central’s website.
