The “big story” around town is that the demolition clock has started on the Glass House in Dearborn, as Ford is moving their global HQ three miles down the road to a beautiful new building.

Opened in 1956, the last time I visited the Glass House it was a bit long in the tooth for a company the stature of Ford.

But, nostalgia is a thing and so many west siders are used to seeing it off of Michigan avenue for decades. In about 18 months, it’ll be gone to make way for something new.

The new headquarters will be twice the size of the current building and accommodate double the employees, bringing together engineering, design, and technology teams in one collaborative space. According to Ford executives Bill Ford and Jim Farley, the facility will house up to 4,000 employees with a total of 14,000 workers within a 15-minute walk.

Plus, they’re staying in Dearborn, and the new HQ will be across from the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, Metro Detroit’s largest tourist destination.

Devon O'Reilly grew up in Dearborn and is active in the civic, business, and philanthropic communities in the city — joins to talk about why this is such a big deal, what it will help, and what might be ahead for the old Glass House space.

In a future episode, we will check in on the history of Ford Headquarters buildings over the years. So be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or whever you listen to shows. 

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