The Packard Plant in Detroit, Michigan can surely be referenced as one of the most talked about car manufacturing plants in America. The Packard plant – designed by architect Albert Kahn – ran production from 1903 to 1958. The Packard plant was noted as the most modern automobile manufacturing facility in the world. Over the many years that this plant has sat vacant, scrappers and vandals have torn away at any piece they could. On December 12, 2013, a Spanish investor by the name of Fernando Palazuelo bought the property for $405,000, with huge (though some thought crazy) plans for renovation and revitalization. The project has held steady to this day, and with at least 350 million dollars over the next 10-15 years, he hopes to bring in residential retail, offices, light industry, recreation and art.

Unfortunately, just hours ago, the famous historic Packard Plant bridge crossing over E Grand Blvd collapsed.

HistoricDetroit.org shared this post on Twitter, which shows the photo below of the collapsed bridge.

The 3,500,000-square-foot plant was designed by Albert Kahn Associates using Trussed Concrete Steel Company products. The plant is also known for being the first automotive factory to be constructed with reinforced concrete in the United States.

After closing in 1958, the building was still used for storage until the late 1990s. During the 1990s, the vacant buildings were used to host underground raves, which included the Spastik party, hosted by Richie Hawtin. Other buildings on the property remained in use by businesses up through the early 2000s, with the final tenant – Chemical Processing – vacating the premises after 52 years.

Throughout the countless fires the plant has endured, along with scrappers ripping everything they could from its walls, the bridge had somehow held on for all these years. It finally got too weak and decided it was time to come down. This is why when you walk in places like this, no matter how sturdy things seem, you never really know.

The abandoned plant has been one of the most talked about and referenced places highlighting the partial fall of not only Detroit’s industry, but America’s automotive industry as a whole.

Though it’s referenced so often in regards to Detroit’s crumbling history, it should be noted that plans for its renovation are still underway, and it has been said that office space in the administration building could become available as early as 2019. It’s an incredible job being taken on by many people, and it’s amazing to see something come together that nobody thought would be possible. This amount of dedication and motivation is inspiring.