History at RIC
Early 1900s: The Russell Industrial Center was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, who was famous for his work on automotive factories in Detroit. The complex was built between 1915 and 1925 and originally served as a manufacturing facility for the Murray Body Corporation, a company that produced bodies for cars, including those for the Ford Model T and other early automobiles.
1920s-1950s: During its peak, the Russell Industrial Center was a hub of automotive production and related industries. As the automobile industry thrived in Detroit, so did the RIC. However, as the decades progressed and Detroit's economy shifted, the demand for large-scale manufacturing facilities like RIC began to decline.
1960s-1970s: By the mid-20th century, the decline of the American automotive industry and the broader economic challenges faced by Detroit led to a decrease in the use of industrial spaces like the RIC. The complex started to fall into disrepair as businesses moved out or closed down.
2000s: In the early 2000s, the Russell Industrial Center began to transform from an abandoned industrial site into a creative and entrepreneurial hub. Local developers and artists saw the potential of the massive, underutilized space and began repurposing it for studios, workshops, and small businesses.
Present Day: Today, the Russell Industrial Center is known as a vibrant community of artists, small businesses, and creatives. The complex houses a wide range of tenants, including artists, designers, photographers, and manufacturers. The space is also used for concerts, events, exhibitions, and other community activities.