Fisher Building
Detroit’s New Center is a vibrant, diverse and economically healthy district and the northern anchor of Detroit’s Greater Downtown. It is bounded by Virginia Park to the north, the Ford Freeway to the south, John R to the east and the Lodge Freeway to the west.
It is home to some of Greater Detroit’s rarest jewels including The Fisher Building, the Fisher Theatre, WJR and Dietrich Furs, restaurants like Cuisine and new businesses like Pure Detroit and Biz-R Collection. There are also new lofts in old buildings and old homes next to new townhomes.
Culture and Entertainment
Fisher Building Lobby
One of the coolest buildings in New Center is the Fisher. This 30-story art deco building was designed by Albert Kahn and considered one of his greatest achievements. Notice the three-story, barrel vaulted lobby constructed with 40 different kinds of marble, the ornate plaster friezes and the inlaid wood elevators. You can also grab tickets to the Fisher Theatre, home to major musical and theatrical performances
The Fisher Building also houses the Fisher Theatre– the Broadway of Detroit.
Motown Museum
New Center is world famous for one other destination: the Motown Historical Museum (a.k.a. Hitsville U.S.A.). Occupying two of the original houses owned by Motown Records, the museum is filled with rare photographs, gold records, costumes and other memorabilia. On your visit, take a second to pause and consider the immense talent that filled the rooms where you now stand – it’s enough to give you goose bumps.
New Center Park, a developed green space located on the southwest corner of Second Avenue and West Grand Boulevard across from the Fisher Building, represents an exciting opportunity for New Center Council to provide a quality of life amenity for (potential and current) residents and employees of the neighborhood.
New Center Park
The park has a new decorative perimeter fence, re-graded landscaping for larger audience and event production capacity, a new 5,500 square-foot clay brick patio and upgraded lighting and electrical. An 880 square-foot glass and wood conservatory with food and beverage service capabilities has also been added.
Dining and Shopping
New Center is once again emerging as a destination for great shopping, blending long-time neighborhood stalwarts (some dating from the late 1800’s) with exciting new independent merchants. This directory will familiarize you with the stores of New Center.
As for nightlife in New Center you have to know where to go. The Tangent Gallery and Hastings Street Ballroom, both located in former warehouse space, host an infrequent schedule of contemporary musicians, performance artists and art exhibitions. Wear your jeans and vintage tees and dig out your Chucky T’s and you’ll blend in seamlessly. End your evening at the Northern Lights Lounge where you can hang with an eclectic mix of folk-young, old, suits and not-and reflect on this unique place called Detroit.
You can find more information on retail and restaurants from the New Center Council.
