Detroit's Second Grand Downtown, Golden Art Deco Palaces & Motown Heritage
New Center is a monumental historic commercial, cultural, and residential district located uptown along Grand Boulevard and Woodward Avenue, three miles north of downtown. Conceived in the 1920s by General Motors and the Fisher brothers as a 'second downtown' to relieve congestion in the lower city, New Center is a showcase of world-class 20th-century architecture.
Crowning the district is Albert Kahn's breathtaking 1928 Fisher Building, hailed as 'Detroit's Largest Art Object.' Constructed of 40 varieties of marble, bronze, and granite beneath a gilded tower, the 30-story skyscraper features a three-story barrel-vaulted arcade and the opulent 2,000-seat Fisher Theatre.
Directly across the street stands Cadillac Place, the massive 15-story neoclassical complex designed by Kahn as General Motors' world headquarters from 1923 to 2001. Just blocks west on West Grand Boulevard sits the sacred cradle of American music: the Motown Museum at Hitsville U.S.A., where Berry Gordy Jr. built the soundtrack of the 20th century.
Key Highlights
- The Fisher Building, a National Historic Landmark Art Deco skyscraper with a 3-story frescoed marble arcade and Fisher Theatre.
- The Motown Museum ('Hitsville U.S.A.'), preserving the original Studio A where Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye recorded.
- Cadillac Place, the historic 15-story former General Motors global headquarters, now housing State of Michigan offices.
- Northern terminus of the QLINE streetcar, providing free rapid transit down Woodward Avenue to Midtown and Downtown.
The Fisher Brothers' Golden Gift and Berry Gordy's Hitsville Dream
In 1919, William C. Durant commissioned master architect Albert Kahn to design the world's second-largest office building for General Motors, completed in 1923. In 1928, the seven Fisher brothers (founders of Fisher Body) invested their automotive fortune into the golden Art Deco Fisher Building, intending it to anchor a second metropolitan center.
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. purchased a modest two-story photography studio at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, christening it 'Hitsville U.S.A.' and founding Motown Records. Over recent years, major investments have restored the Fisher Building's public concourses and initiated a $55 million expansion of the Motown Museum.
Milestone Timeline
General Motors Building (now Cadillac Place) opens as GM's global headquarters.
The Fisher Building opens to international acclaim, winning architectural awards.
Berry Gordy Jr. purchases Hitsville U.S.A., founding Motown Records.
Fisher Building and Cadillac Place are designated National Historic Landmarks.
Famous Places in Bishop Arts District
The Fisher Building & Fisher Theatre
Detroit's Largest Art Object by Albert Kahn30-story Art Deco tower constructed of 40 varieties of marble, featuring a three-story painted barrel-vaulted arcade and Broadway theatre.
The Motown Museum (Hitsville U.S.A.)
The Historic Cradle of the Motown SoundHistoric recording studio where legendary artists recorded timeless hits in Studio A ('The Snake Pit') with original instruments and control board.
Cadillac Place (Former GM World Headquarters)
Monumental 15-Story Neoclassical ComplexHistoric corporate complex featuring four 15-story wings connected by a central corridor lined with Italian marble and Corinthian columns.
New Center Park
Urban Green Space & Outdoor CinemaLandscaped pocket park at Woodward and Grand Boulevard hosting free summer movie nights, live music, and food trucks.
Top Things to Do in Bishop Arts
Tour the Marble Concourse of the Fisher Building
Walk through the breathtaking three-story arcade to admire frescoed vaulted ceilings, bronze chandeliers, and Pewabic pottery details.
Stand in Studio A at the Motown Museum
Sing on the exact floor where The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes recorded their iconic #1 hits.
See a Broadway Musical at the Fisher Theatre
Experience a national touring Broadway show inside the opulent 2,000-seat theater located inside the Fisher Building.
Ride the QLINE South to Downtown
Board the streetcar at the Grand Boulevard station for a relaxing ride down Woodward Avenue past Wayne State and the DIA.
Historic Arcade Cafes, Modern African Bistros & Grills
New Center offers a sophisticated culinary mix along Grand Boulevard and Woodward:
Fisher Building Dining & Cafes
The Kitchen by Cooking with Que (innovative vegan & flexitarian dining), Promenade Artisan Foods, and Stella Good Coffee inside the arcade.
Celebrated Regional & African Cuisine
Baobab Fare (acclaimed East African Burundi restaurant by James Beard-finalist Hamissi Mamba & Nadia Nijimbere), and YumVillage.
Historic Diners & Neighborhood Pubs
Northern Lights Lounge (classic mid-century lounge with cozy patio & live DJ sets), and local grill counters.
Artisanal Bakeries & Coffee
The Wise Guys, local espresso counters, and bakeries along Woodward Avenue.
Living in New Center: Historic Mansions, Art Deco Apartments & Direct Transit
Living in New Center provides a unique blend of architectural grandeur, urban convenience, and historic residential tranquility. Housing options range from restored 1920s Art Deco apartment towers and lofts along Grand Boulevard to magnificent early-20th-century stone mansions in adjacent historic districts like Arden Park and Boston-Edison.
Residents benefit from having the QLINE streetcar terminus right in the neighborhood, providing effortless transit to Midtown cultural centers and downtown sports arenas. With Henry Ford Hospital's main medical campus anchoring the area and new mixed-use developments flourishing, New Center offers exceptional stability and urban sophistication.
1920s Art Deco apartment buildings, converted lofts, and historic stone mansions.
Architecturally distinguished, professional, medical-centric, and historic.
Northern terminus of the QLINE streetcar; immediate access to I-94 and M-10 (Lodge).
Home to Henry Ford Hospital's massive global medical and research campus.
Best Time to Visit New Center
Year-round due to indoor Fisher Building tours and the Motown Museum, with summer offering free movies and concerts in New Center Park.
Motown Founder's Day Celebrations
Special anniversary events, live music, and celebrity appearances at Hitsville U.S.A. celebrating Berry Gordy's legacy.
Fisher Theatre Broadway Season
First-run national Broadway touring productions performing in the historic theater from autumn through spring.
New Center Park Summer Movie Series
Free outdoor classic and family movie screenings on the lawn every Wednesday and Friday evening.
Getting Around & Parking in New Center
Ride the Free Dallas Streetcar
100% Free Public Transit • Every 20 MinutesGrand Boulevard station is the northern terminus of the QLINE streetcar; Grand Boulevard and Woodward Avenue provide major transit links.
Fisher Building Parking Lot
Covered public garage and adjacent surface lots located on West Grand Boulevard and 3rd St.
Cadillac Place Garage
Covered public parking deck serving state offices and visitors.
Street Parking
Metered street parking along Grand Boulevard and Woodward via ParkDetroit app.
Top 6 Local Businesses in New Center
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Detroit Peak Fitness & Performance Lab
Strength conditioning, personal athletic coaching, recovery suites, and hot sauna.
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Apex Master Plumbing & Heating
24/7 Emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, and boiler installation experts.
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Detroit Prestige Residential Architecture
Custom luxury home design, modern architectural renovations, and interior blueprints.
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Detroit Artisan Bistro & Grill
Farm-to-table artisanal dining and local craft cocktails in the heart of town.
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Joe's Craft Smokehouse & BBQ (Detroit)
Award-winning hickory-smoked brisket, ribs, and handcrafted Southern sides in Detroit.
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Detroit Vanguard Precision Dental Care
Modern cosmetic dentistry, clear aligners, pain-free cleanings, and emergency care.
Events & Exclusive Deals in New Center
Event
Annual Detroit Only Food & Craft Beer Festival
Join us for a celebration of local food vendors, craft breweries, and live music performances!
Event
Live Backyard Blues & Smoked Brisket Night
Join us under the string lights for live Delta blues, craft local brews on tap, and fresh pit carving straight from our outdoor smoker.
Event
Detroit Sunset Rooftop Summer Jazz Sessions
Unwind under the stars with live regional jazz quartets, tapas, and handcrafted cocktails.
$100 OFF
$100 OFF Ceramic Coating or Full Auto Detail
$60 OFF
$60 OFF Any Emergency Plumbing Repair or Drain Cleaning
50% OFF BOGO
Buy One BBQ Platter, Get Second 50% OFF
Explore New Center Businesses by Category
Frequently Asked Questions about New Center
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