Ford Building | Detroit, MI | Value-Add Investment Property

Investment Highlights

• ±242,000 SF historic office building in the core of Downtown Detroit
• 18-story landmark asset with iconic architecture and strong identity within the CBD
• Renovated lobby, elevators, and common areas with modernized finishes and systems
• Approximately 14% occupied, offering significant lease-up and repositioning opportunity
• Efficient horseshoe floor plates with strong natural light and flexible layouts
• Mechanical systems on each floor supporting flexible tenant buildouts and conversion potential
• On-site valet parking with additional nearby structured parking options
• Well-positioned for office lease-up or adaptive reuse to multifamily, hotel, or mixed-use
• Two first-floor retail spaces available (±2,500 to ±8,600 SF)
• Jimmy John’s located on the first floor with lease in place through 2030

Property Overview

Friedman Real Estate, in collaboration with RI Marketplace, is pleased to present the exclusive marketing and sale of the Ford Building, a ±242,000 SF historic office tower located at 615 Griswold Street in the heart of downtown Detroit. This 18-story landmark asset offers investors the opportunity to acquire a highly recognizable Financial District property with significant scale, architectural character, and substantial value-add potential through lease-up or repositioning.

The building is currently approximately 14% occupied, with ±170,000 SF available for immediate occupancy, providing a clear path to creating value through strategic leasing, re-tenanting, or adaptive reuse to multifamily, hospitality, or mixed-use. Existing tenancy includes ground floor retail, highlighted by a Jimmy John’s location with a lease in place through 2030, as well as two additional retail spaces available for lease.

The Ford Building features efficient horseshoe floor plates with strong natural light, supported by mechanical systems located on each floor, allowing for flexible tenant layouts and phased repositioning. Recent renovations to the lobby, elevators, and common areas provide a modernized tenant experience while preserving the building’s historic character, positioning the asset to compete for today’s office users or support conversion to alternative uses.

Located along Griswold Street within Detroit’s Financial District, the property benefits from immediate proximity to major employers, retail, and entertainment amenities, as well as access to nearby structured parking and on-site valet service. The combination of location, vacancy, and flexibility positions the Ford Building as a compelling opportunity for investors seeking both current income and long-term upside.

Location Overview

Located at 615 Griswold Street, the Ford Building sits in the heart of downtown Detroit within the city’s historic Financial District, a primary hub for business, government, and commercial activity. Detroit benefits from a diversified economic base driven by automotive, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and financial services, supported by major employers including General Motors, Rocket Companies, and a growing presence of tech and innovation-focused firms. The property is positioned along Griswold Street with immediate proximity to Campus Martius Park, Woodward Avenue, and a dense concentration of office, retail, and hospitality amenities that continue to drive activity in the urban core.

The asset offers strong regional connectivity via M-10, I-75, and I-94, providing efficient access throughout the Detroit metropolitan area and surrounding Midwest markets. The immediate area is supported by a growing residential population, institutional users, and a highly walkable environment with access to restaurants, entertainment, and public transit. Ongoing public and private investment throughout downtown Detroit, including adaptive reuse projects and new mixed-use developments, continues to enhance the live, work, play dynamic, positioning the property within one of the city’s most active and evolving corridors.