This might be a one-time chance for the public to go inside Ford Motor Co.’s soon-to-be-new world headquarters.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker, which announced Sept. 15 it will be moving its world headquarters from the iconic Glass House on Michigan Avenue to a newly developed innovation hub across the street from the Henry Ford Museum, will officially anoint the new building as its world headquarters on Nov. 16.
On that same day, the company is opening the doors to the public for free — to those who register — from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to tour the facility at Oakwood Boulevard and Village Road.
In a flyer posted to Ford’s “From the Road” website, the company said: “Take a rare look inside with immersive tours, and see the Ford story told through vehicles and engaging installations around the campus. Enjoy car shows, food truck vendors selling local favorites, live entertainment, Fall treats and family-friendly activities.”
The automaker said the public can help Ford mark the historic opening that day by showing off “your special Ford vehicle in a car show for the ages.”
Ford is calling it “The Ford Community Car Show.” It will include privately owned Ford classic vehicles to creative custom designs, sports models and heavy-duty trucks. If you want to participate in the car show, you can sign up.
Here is the schedule for the public tours on Nov. 16:
Ford said there will be a self-guided walking tour through the building, featuring employee wellness areas, workspaces and “a few surprises along the way.” The tours will take about 15 to 30 minutes. The automaker said a tour reservation is not required to attend the grand opening, which includes other activities for all ages, but if you plan to attend on Nov. 16, please register.
Ford’s current headquarters on Michigan Avenue, dubbed the Glass House because of its windowed exterior, is an iconic 950,000-square-foot building on 212 acres of land that has served as the company’s headquarters since 1956. Ford employees will vacate it by early next year. Then, Ford will start a “sustainable demolition” of the building to be completed by either the end of 2027 or by mid-2028.
The move to the new 2.1-million-square-foot world headquarters building will take place over the next several months. It will house executives and product developers. It will also include modern amenities such as seven restaurants designed by an executive chef and outdoor workspaces.
To find instructions on how to register for the tour and car show, go to www.fromtheroad.ford.com and look under “Company News.”
Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer at Gannett who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

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