Henry Ford Health breaks ground on historic $2.2B hospital expansion
The project will be the largest health care investment in Detroit’s history.
An aerial view of the new Henry Ford Health hospital location in Detroit.
Henry Ford Health has broken ground on its $2.2 billion hospital expansion — the largest health care investment in Detroit’s history.
The new hospital facility will span over one million square feet on West Grand Boulevard and include more than 400 private patient rooms. The expansion will also feature a 75,000-square-foot emergency room — more than double the size of the current ER, along with 28 state-of-the-art operating rooms.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan hailed the project as a rebirth of health care in the city.
“For most of my life, the hospital systems have bailed on Detroit and put their investments in the suburbs,” said Duggan. “Today, we are seeing one of the finest hospitals anywhere in America being built here in the city of Detroit.”
The 20-story patient tower will house Shirley Ryan AbilityLab on the top three floors, providing neurorehabilitation services. This partnership, funded in part by Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rocket Companies, is a personal endeavor for Gilbert, who credited the Chicago-based facility with aiding his recovery after a stroke in 2019.
“When I had a stroke back in 2019, my life changed dramatically, but thanks to the support of family, doctors, therapists and staff at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, I began my rehab journey with strength, confidence and optimism,” Gilbert said.
To further support the community, the Gilbert Family Foundation has pledged $10 million to assist Detroit residents with limited or no insurance coverage for rehabilitation services.
Henry Ford Health’s President and CEO, Bob Riney, emphasized the expansion’s significance, stating, “We are setting the stage for Detroit to become the national, academic, medical headquarters.”
The hospital campus expansion will also include an 185,000-square-foot shared services building, a 1,500-space parking structure, and a 46,000-square-foot Central Energy Hub. The new development will eliminate the need for natural gas, reducing pollution and promoting a healthier environment.
The expansion is part of a broader community-driven initiative to transform the New Center neighborhood into a vibrant, walkable district. In partnership with Michigan State University and the Detroit Pistons, the development will include mixed-use residential buildings, green spaces and recreational areas.
The project is expected to open in 2029.
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