This building has sat vacant for some time. Somebody stole the cool historical marker from it..but how cool to own some authentic Henry Real Estate...this is in a beautiful area and would make a great hot rod shop...someone buy it please..it will be condo’s in no time
Heard it is in process of being bought by a developer that is going to put in a restaurant. Better use would be a proper hot rod shop! Here’s the scuttle butt Wayne County Commissioners vote unanimously to sell Phoenix Mill to the developer Critical Mass. They plan to restore the Ford Village Industry Mill and turn it into a restaurant and event space. The Albert Kahn designed factory was built for Henry Ford in 1922 and produced machine gun and airplane parts for The Arsenal of Democracy, Willow Run. Ford would only hire single women to work in this plant and paid these ladies the same wages that their male counter parts earned down the road at the Wilcox Mill (next in line to be sold by Wayne County). The mill was willed to Wayne County by Clara Ford, upon her death in 1948. Wayne county used the property mainly for storage and the building has sat vacant since 2007. Critical Mass has experience restoring Henry Ford/Albert Kahn factories as they are the developers who restored the “Water Wheel” building in Northville. They have the experience and vendor network in place to get the job done right. They plan to open up the fenced off yard, demolish the metal sheds on the property behind the factory, and create green space for the public to enjoy. The restoration will follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation of an history property. All of the glass windows with metal frames will be restored (view the photos to see the State that they are in right now). The new owners plan to place the building on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hopefully it’s not the same people that own the overpriced yuppy crap hole in Northville that’s in the old Ford Dealer downtown
I believe the younger generation could care less about history. I have a historic calendar from 1980 featuring my cities most historic buildings. At the time my business was in the building featured for September 1980. That 38,000 sq.ft. building built early 1800s is where the Piedmont car was manufactured, later a foundry making cannon balls for the Civil War. One exploded in 1866 blowing off the cupola humorously called "the last explosion of the Civil War". Later a famous plumbing supply company there. That building was in good condition, torn down in 1983 making way for a motel parking lot.
Used to bike by there all of the time, always thought that would make such a cool shop. Hopefully whoever buys it, does something good with it. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I like a hotrod shop but it sounds like the building might be in good hands, especially if truly considered an historic property and redeveloped with formal historical standards. Big bucks to pull off a "restomod" on a building like that.
yea, most young people don't know much about or care for history. don't they embrace the socialist way of government. didn't we fight a few wars over that? besides, i don't think they teach much history anymore in school.
Ford should buy the building and move it to Greenfield Village where it could be restored and set up as in it's heyday, and preserved for evermore.
Great Idea..problem is Ford is really not involved to in that anymore...and they don’t seem to care to much about their history..the Highland Park Plant sits there rotting away...with the back strory it would make a great addition to the village, but they don’t add anything to the place. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, they just don’t add new “attractions”
Greenfield Village which is part of The Henry Ford is independent from Ford Motor co. When they did the major restoration in 2003, they had a huge fund drive. I was involved in all of the site utility design. In order to move a new building they need to raise funds. That was one of Henry Ford's largest mistakes was not to set up a trust fund for the Village and Museum. They've gone through many funding slumps, so if you're ever in town go visit.
Are you referring to the Ford Valve Plant on Main and Griswold Streets? From my memory the Ford dealership originally was on the southeast corner of Main and Wing Streets which is now the site of a shopping mall. They subsequently moved to the site on Seven Mile across from the Good Time Party Store and now torn down. As a P.S. w as anything ever done with the Phoenix Lake factory site at Five Mile and Northville Roads?
Nothing ever done with that site. The Ford dealer I’m referring to was in Dowriwn Northville. It’s called the Garage now....cool looking place...Food, pricing , and service not so much
Agree 100%...we do the Family membership and go there often...hope to volunteer when and if I ever retire
If they are saying it was a Ford dealership they are mistaken. The Ford dealer, Marr-Taylor and later John Mach was kitty-corner from there where that brick mini mall is on Main Street. And across from, now part of a municipal parking lot, that was the original location of Rathburn Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, the first dealer that I worked at albeit at the "new" location that was built on Main and Seven Mile, now the location of a fitness center. That location was Orson Atchinson Chrysler,Desoto and Plymouth together with a Gulf gasoline station. Later on it became Cal's Gulf and a laundromat then a store Gardenviews which was an outdoor yard decoration store. There is a non public Northville FB site that has had discussions of old businesses and the car dealerships that were in town.
The Jalopy Journal
