12/05/2025
The Packard Automotive Plant on Detroit's East side has long been a symbol of the city's post-industrial decline, sitting mostly abandoned since the car factory ceased operations in 1958.
Now, city officials have shared plans for a $50 million redevelopment project that will transform the 28-acre southern half of the factory into a multi-purpose development.
This will include will include housing, an indoor skatepark, two acres of indoor/outdoor public space and recreation areas, and the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM). Work is expected to be completed on the development by 2029.
In the '90s, the Albert Kahn-designed building was the “epicentre” of Detroit's underground rave scene, with Richie Hawtin's Spastik warehouse parties and the famous DJ Godfather vs. Gary Chandler battle held within its walls.
More recently, the plant has been a shooting location for film and TV, including two films in Michael Bay's Transformers franchise, 2014 horror It Follows, and the music video for Eminem's 2009 single 'Beautiful'.
In 2015, a mural from Banksy was discovered inside the ruins; entitled I remember when all this was trees, the piece was later sold at auction in Beverly Hills for $137,500.
