There’s something decidedly eerie about a once-bustling building that sits abandoned. We’ve got our fair share of abandoned places in Michigan – many of which, sadly, are located in the city of Detroit. While Detroit is a place of resilience and regrowth, it’s also faces many challenges. One such reminder exists in the form of the now-crumbling Packard Plant, an abandoned factory in Michigan and one of the most iconic abandoned buildings in the state.

Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations. As of publication, the Packard Plant is in the process of being demolished; however, at one time, it was considered the largest abandoned industrial facility in the world.

The Packard Automotive Plant is (or, more appropriately, was) located along East Grand Boulevard in Detroit.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Today, it stands as a mere shell of the manufacturing powerhouse it once was, partially demolished and crumbling with every year.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
In fact, during its heyday, upwards of 40,000 Detroiters and other workers were employed at the plant. Throughout the decades, Packard workers produced all sorts of beautiful luxury cars and other vehicles.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
When World War II struck, the facility was even used as a site for producing war planes and other military necessities. At its height, this sprawling Motor City factory featured a whopping 3.5 million square feet.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

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Sadly, as auto production slowed and shifted, the Packard Plant’s prowess fell. The factory closed its doors for good in 1958, though a handful of on-site buildings and businesses remained in use until the 2000s.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
For most of its existence since the late 1950s, though, the Packard Plant has stood as a reminder of Detroit’s early automotive era. Over the years, it’s become a haven for urban explorers, photographers, and mischief.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Graffiti and damage are visible throughout the dilapidated complex, which adds an eerie vibe to the slowly decaying space. It’s difficult to imagine what this site must have been like when it was clean, new, and full of promise.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
While the future of the Packard Plant is unclear (demolition efforts have been started, though not yet completed), one thing remains certain: this fascinating factory will always hold a place in Michigan history.
Johnny Joo / Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

OnlyInYourState’s Vacant highlights fascinating abandoned places across America – from a vast ghost town with a tragic history and a renaissance festival left forgotten to the largest abandoned industrial facility in the entire world, enabling you to explore 11 abandoned places in America. Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. For more images, you can check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.

Did anyone in your family work at the Packard Plant prior to its closure? We’d love to hear from you, so share your thoughts on this abandoned factory in Michigan with us, or tell us about some of the other most fascinating abandoned buildings in Michigan by completing our nomination form.

Are you intrigued by abandoned buildings in Michigan? You might want to check out our abandoned places road trip in Michigan.

Looking for more unique places to visit in Michigan? Check out Trusted Tours and Attractions, where you’ll find an array of destinations and experiences for your bucket list.

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Featured Addresses
Packard Automotive Plant, 1580 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48211, USA