Share this article:

To join Michigan Central, apply here.

DETROIT – February 24, 2026 – This April, Michigan Central will open The Michigan Central Mezz, a new work and collaboration space that expands access to the innovation district, already home to more than 2,000 professionals across 240+ companies.

Michigan Central’s 30-acre district offers something difficult to replicate: an unmatched ecosystem of people, product development infrastructure, support services, programming, and workspace where teams of all sizes, across many industries and functions, collaborate side by side. Being inside the district means direct access to the connections and capabilities needed to accelerate innovation beyond what any one organization’s internal programs can achieve alone. Startups, Fortune 500 companies, universities, government agencies, creatives, investors, and nonprofits are part of Michigan Central, and The Mezz expands the resources they can leverage.

The Mezz spans 17,000 square feet on the mezzanine level of Michigan Central Station, giving people the unique opportunity to innovate from the iconic, historic building. It provides a variety of desks and work setups, meeting rooms, quiet zones, a kitchen, private wellness rooms, enterprise-grade tech, and views of both the ground floor of The Station and the surrounding neighborhoods. Access to The Mezz requires Michigan Central membership. Members receive 24/7 access to the space, exclusive events, and opportunities to connect with venture capital firms, university programs, and industry partners. Additional membership amenities include a fitness center with showers and lockers, a digital operations and collaboration platform, and discounted rates for the many rentable meeting and event spaces across Michigan Central’s district.

From prototyping labs and manufacturing space to networking, workforce training, and community programming, members are equipped with the resources they need to build solutions from concept to real-world deployment faster.

“We’ve seen growing demand from organizations that want to be part of what’s happening at Michigan Central,” said Carolina Pluszczynski, Acting CEO of Michigan Central. “The Michigan Central Mezz is a bridge into the broader ecosystem, offering a flexible, modern space to work and collaborate, with direct access to district-wide opportunities, partnerships, and infrastructure.”

The network at Michigan Central includes founding partners Ford Motor Company, Google, the State of Michigan, the City of Detroit, Henry Ford Health, and Newlab, a venture platform that partners with Michigan Central to support the mobility, energy, and manufacturing startups that are part of the district. Established companies place teams at Michigan Central to explore new approaches to innovation, including General Dynamics Land Systems, maintain operations on-site, while universities and organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit, Wayne State University, and Grand Valley State University deliver talent development and training programs. Engineering firms, suppliers, business service providers, and community foundations round out Michigan Central’s network.

people working near a window in office space

“Detroit has always been where big ideas are not only conceived but also built and deployed for the people who need them,” said Pluszczynski. “Michigan Central is designed to support that work, whether you’re a large established company or a five-person startup. The Mezz makes it easier to be part of the network of incredible innovators creating real impact.”

Michigan Central offers multiple membership pathways designed to support different team sizes, needs, and levels of engagement. Members can opt for flexible use of workspace, dedicated desks, private offices and studios, lab access, or deeper partnerships, including the ability to stand up talent development programs or co-develop innovation or community initiatives. The district aims to make it accessible for innovators of all kinds to join.

To join Michigan Central, apply here.

BY THE NUMBERS

MICHIGAN CENTRAL NETWORK:

  • 2,000+ professionals working across the 30-acre Michigan Central 
  • 240+ companies
  • 150+ startups commercializing critical technologies, supported by Newlab and Michigan Central
  • 30 venture capital firms
  • Founding partners: Ford Motor Company, Google, State of Michigan, City of Detroit, Newlab, Henry Ford Health
  • University partners: Grand Valley State University, Wayne State University, University of Michigan Center for Innovation, Michigan State University

MICHIGAN CENTRAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • 24/7 member access to The Michigan Central Mezz
  • Customized packages for teams looking for tailored benefits ranging from: dedicated desks; use of labs, manufacturing space, and/or testing infrastructure; co-developed skills, workforce development, innovation, or community programs; private offices and studios
  • Connection to industry-leading companies, startups, VCs, and university programs
  • Exclusive access to workshops, speakers, and networking events
  • Enterprise-grade IT, printing, and mail handling
  • Digital operations and networking platform
  • Fitness center with showers and lockers
  • Flexible terms to scale your involvement as your team evolves
  • Discounted rates for Michigan Central’s rentable meeting rooms and event spaces

THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL MEZZ:

  • Opens April 2026
  • 17,000 square feet on the mezzanine level of Michigan Central Station
  • Variety of desks, work setups, and quiet zones to accommodate hundreds of professionals
  • 10 private conference rooms
  • Kitchen and private wellness rooms
  • New, rentable, private 30-person meeting space located within The Mezz with multiple rooms and configurations available – opening in May