Ford’s New Headquarters
Ford has announced the relocation of its global headquarters from the legendary “Glass House” to a new campus—the Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn, Michigan. This massive 2.1 million-square-foot facility is designed for 4,000 employees and will become the brand’s new global hub.
Historical Context and Changes
For nearly 70 years, the “Glass House” served as Ford’s primary decision-making center. However, as Executive Chair Bill Ford noted:
The future of our industry requires a different kind of space—more connected, flexible, and adapted to the pace of a technologically and software-oriented company.
The new campus, located on the site of a former product development center, is significantly larger than the previous one—it can accommodate twice as many employees, and an additional 14,000 Ford employees will be within walking distance.
Infrastructure and Innovations
Thanks to two years of research, Ford was able to optimize efficiency and reduce material movement time by 80%. Inside the building are located:
- Six design studios
- A 160,000-square-foot food hall
- 303 technologically equipped conference rooms
- A large showroom with 10 rotating platforms and a micro-LED screen
Vertical planning allows for testing and presenting vehicles right inside the premises. The company also aims to achieve Net-Zero Energy status, consuming 50% less energy than the previous building.
The Future of the “Glass House”
Over the next year, employees from the “Glass House” will be relocated to other sites. After that, the building will be demolished over 18 months in compliance with environmental standards, and the land will be re-planned for public use in cooperation with the city of Dearborn.
Interestingly, the new headquarters will retain the address 1 American Road. The first employees will move there as early as November this year. As Jim Farley and Bill Ford stated, this is a pivotal moment for the company, as they are building not only a new generation of cars but also a new generation of Ford.
The transition to the new campus reflects deeper changes in the automotive industry, where the focus is shifting toward technological integration, energy efficiency, and adaptation to modern challenges. This step could become a model for other large corporations also seeking ways to combine operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.