New Center Detroit: A New Century in the Center of It All

Whether you're looking to spend a chill day with your crew, or a refreshing day out on the town by yourself, you can do it in New Center. You can start your day at The TEN Nail Bar for mani pedis, then show off your fresh set during some retail therapy. Support New Center’s small business scene by stopping into Kill The Hate clothing store, or stock up on your next set of Detroit themed apparel at Pure Detroit Tours and Retail, where you also can book a tour and get exclusive looks at historic landmarks like the Fisher Building.

You can even find yourself at the beginning of it all at Cadillac Place, which is not only the original location of the General Motors world headquarters, but was also the first commercial building to be established in New Center in the year 1923, more than 100 years ago. This was essentially the catalyst of growth in New Center, leading to the development of residences like the Boston Edison District, which is the oldest continuous neighborhood association in Detroit.

One of the best things you can be is a hungry person in Detroit. As expected of a neighborhood on the outskirts of Downtown Detroit, there is so much yummy food packed into New Center’s 1.4 square miles. Maybe you’ve got a meeting with a client, or a school assignment to crank out. Stella Good Coffee Shop is there for you to grab a drink and lock in.

It’s 2025, and lunch has become a special occasion for many people, as modern life often only leaves time for breakfast and dinner. Chef Steve Delidow and his team at Lunchtime Detroit are dedicated to ensuring your next lunch out is unforgettable. Perhaps you’re famished; coffee or lunch just won’t cut it. Right around the corner from Cadillac Place is Joe Louis Southern Kitchen, where you and your whole crew can go in on some soulful southern eats. New Center also offers rich ethnic dining experiences. Baobab Fare makes Detroit their home, sharing East African Cuisine. YumVillage shares authentic Caribbean Cuisine and the occasional event showcasing local creatives.

Now, personally, after pigging out at one place or another, I will have to make a stop at the Orangetheory Fitness on West Grand Boulevard between John C Lodge and 3rd Ave to reset my mind and body to get ready for a night on the town.

If you missed the matinee show at The Fisher Theater, that’s perfect, because now you
can attend the night show. From 1928 until 1961, the Fisher Theater primarily showed films for their audiences. In 1961 The Fisher Theater began hosting musicals and stage plays, and eventually went on to host touring broadway shows like Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler On The Roof, Wicked, The Wiz, Ain’t Too Proud and countless other iconic shows.

Okay, it’s Friday night, you’ve already seen Wicked 10 times and your friends aren’t into theater; I’ll see you over at Northern Lights Lounge. Northern Lights Lounge closed temporarily during the pandemic in 2020, then re-opened their doors in 2023, exactly 100 years after the original General Motors headquarters was built. This truly marks the beginning of a new century in New Center.

Pro tip: Every Friday Northern Lights Lounge hosts local DJs like, Masquenada, Donavan Glover, Sky Jetta, Wrcklés, Todd Modes, Ryan Spencer, Liz Copeland, Clark Warner and many more highlighting a variety of electronic music. Wednesdays, you can tap your foot to Matt LoRusso’s Jazz band that also dabbles in Hip Hop and R&B. Northern Lights Lounge is also a recurring host to one of my favorite Detroit events, A Big A** Party (ABAP), which is exactly what it sounds like: a huge party with lots of good music that you can experience for yourself.

No matter what you’re looking for, no matter the time of day, New Center has something for you!