New Center

History
Must-Sees
Where To Stay

Why Visit?

North of downtown and midtown, you’ll find New Center. Sometimes called Detroit’s “second downtown,” the neighborhood is known for its majestic art deco skyscrapers like the Fisher Building and Cadillac Place, its vibrant dining scene, and of course the Motown Museum.

Anyone visiting Detroit for the first time needs to visit the Motown Museum. The humble “Hitsville USA” house is where Berry Gordy Jr. founded the Motown Record label and recorded countless hits from stars like Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Martin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and more. The Motown Museum is the #1 place in the world for fans of this soul music, and it’s currently undergoing expansion to offer even more to visitors.

There’s plenty to see and do in New Center beyond the Motown Museum. Catch a touring Broadway show at the Fisher Theatre, dine at some of Detroit’s trendiest restaurants, have a picnic at New Center Park, or just admire the neighborhood’s impressive architecture.

History of New Center

New Center's story is entwined with Detroit’s automotive, architectural, and Motown roots.

General Motors’ world headquarters were in New Center’s Cadillac Place (formerly the General Motors Building) from 1923 until 1996. Fisher Body was based in the Fisher Building, which opened in 1928 and was dubbed the most beautiful building in the world. Both buildings are now National Historic Landmarks.

The name New Center even comes from an automobile-themed newspaper called the New Center News, which began publishing in 1933.

The neighborhood is also where Motown music was born, back in 1959. Berry Gordy Jr. received a loan of $800 from his father, and founded Motown Records at his home address in New Center, along West Grand Boulevard.

You’ll also find Henry Ford Hospital in New Center. It was opened in 1915 by Henry Ford himself with just 48 beds. It’s now a much larger hospital system, to say the least, serving over 3 million patients annually.

New Center Must-sees

You certainly won’t get bored in New Center. Some of the best activities include:

  1. Visit the Motown Museum. You can’t miss the Motown Museum while in New Center. Wander through Studio A, see the apartment where Berry Gordy Jr. and his family lived, and explore Hitsville NEXT (the 50,000 square foot museum campus expansion, currently in progress).
  2. Admire the architecture. New Center is a hub for art deco masterpieces, designed by the famed architect Albert Kahn and built in the 1920s and 30s. The Fisher Building is must-see, especially for its stunning lobby. Other historic buildings include the Albert Kahn Building, Cadillac Place, and Argonaut.
  3. Enjoy New Center’s foodie scene. You have plenty of choice in New Center: from award-winning East African cuisine at Baobob Fare, to biscuit breakfast sammies at Saturn Coffee, to vegan mac & cheese (or even a cooking class!) at The Kitchen by Cooking with Que, and much more.

Where to Stay

If you want to stay in the heart of New Center, then book a room at the Hotel Saint Regis Detroit. This boutique hotel first opened in 1966, and has been renovated and reopened since then.

It’s conveniently connected to both the Fisher Building and Cadillac Place, and is a good hotel for meetings (with a touch of luxury). Over the years, it’s welcomed celebrity guests ranging from Aretha Franklin and Martin Luther King Jr. to George Clinton and Mick Jagger.

How Can I Get to New Center?

It’s easy to get to New Center using the free QLine streetcar, which runs along Woodward Avenue. Get off at Baltimore Street or Grand Boulevard stations. You can also reach New Center by driving or rideshare.

What is the best way to explore New Center?

Once you’re in New Center, it’s possible to explore on foot since the neighborhood isn’t too spread out. You can also bike, drive, or use a rideshare.

Where can I park?

There are numerous parking garages in New Center: New Center Garage, Cass Avenue Garage, Baltimore Garage, Fisher Building Garage, and more. There’s also a limited selection of surface lots and street parking. The Park Detroit app can help you find available parking.

Distance from DTW

New Center is a 30 minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).

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