Ford Relocates Headquarters to New Campus in Dearborn

Ford Motor Company is set to relocate its headquarters for the first time in more than 70 years. The move involves transferring operations to a newly constructed facility located approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) from its long-time home in Dearborn, Michigan. The new headquarters, named “Ford World Headquarters,” is scheduled to open in November 2023.

This significant development marks a shift in the company’s historical roots. The current headquarters, located at 1 American Road and known as “The Glass House,” has been in operation since 1956. At the time of its opening, it was celebrated as one of the largest office buildings in the United States dedicated to a single company. Ted Ryan, Ford’s heritage and brand manager, emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “When we move to the new headquarters, the 1 American Road address will move with it, because we’re going to continue to develop products for the next century.”

A Modern Facility for Innovation and Collaboration

The new facility spans an impressive 2.1 million square feet (195,096 square meters) and aims to foster collaboration and innovation. By colocating corporate leadership with design and engineering teams, Ford intends to enhance teamwork among its 14,000 employees, all of whom will be within a 15-minute walk of the main building.

Planned features of the new headquarters include six design studios, a 160,000-square-foot (14,864-square-meter) food hall open to all employees, wellness rooms, mothers’ spaces, and over 300 tech-enabled meeting rooms. This modern design reflects Ford’s commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of its workforce.

A Legacy in Dearborn

The site of the new headquarters previously housed the Product Development Center, dedicated in 1953, where notable American vehicles like the Mustang, Thunderbird, and F-Series trucks were conceived. During that dedication, President Dwight Eisenhower participated via one of the first uses of closed-circuit television, marking a significant moment in Ford’s history.

Ryan highlighted the deep-rooted connection between Ford and Dearborn, stating, “Dearborn and Ford are almost synonymous. If you think of Dearborn, you think of Ford, and if you think of Ford, you think of Dearborn.” This sentiment resonates with many Ford family members who view the headquarters as a family home, symbolizing their legacy within the company.

As Ford embarks on this new chapter, the transition to a state-of-the-art facility represents not only a physical relocation but also a strategic move toward future growth and innovation in the automotive industry. With General Motors also undergoing a headquarters move to downtown Detroit, the automotive landscape in Michigan continues to evolve rapidly.