Industrial Complex

If you know anything about Michigan’s automotive history, you know that Albert Kahn was instrumental in literally shaping the factories that changed the way people worked.  He designed the spaces to be more open, and with many more windows than factories previously had.  Such landmarks by Kahn include the Packard Plant, Ford’s River Rouge complex, and Lansing’s Motor Wheel Factory.

The Motor Wheel Corporation was founded in Lansing in 1916 as W. K. Prudden Company, whose sole purpose was producing a new, innovative  wooden wheel for the emerging automotive industry.  In 1918, Prudden moved into the newly built factory on the corner of Saginaw and Larch streets, which became the one and only Albert Kahn design in Lansing.  By 1920, business was booming and Prudden merged with two other companies to form Motor Wheel Corporation.

Motor Wheel Corporation enjoyed decades of success, controlling over 30% of the wheel market in the 1930s.  In 1964, Motor Wheel was bought by Goodyear, and closed the Lansing plant.  The building sat vacant for decades, proving a challenge to everyone with ideas for the old industrial site.

Finally in 2006, Motor Wheel Lofts emerged as Lansing’s hottest apartment building.  Massive windows, exposed concrete, and the original smoke stack hark back to the industrial nature of the converted space.

Motor Wheel Lofts in Lansing, MI. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Motor Wheel Lofts in Lansing, MI. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Motor Wheel Lofts in Lansing, MI. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Motor Wheel Lofts in Lansing, MI. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.