McGraw Glass Plant Bought by Farbman Group

DETROIT, MI-Southfield-based Farbman purchased DaimlerChrysler’s McGraw Glass plant near Interstate 94 in the city and plans to convert it into a manufacturing and distribution hub. The purchase price was not disclosed for the 900,000-sf plant, designed by architect Albert Kahn in 1936.

Farbman says it is spending $3 million to renovate the factory into a large industrial complex with more than 80 truck bays. “We’re working with light manufacturers, warehouse-users and food distributors to fill the space and continue to add jobs to the region’s economy,” says Andrew Farbman, president of the Farbman Group. “The plant has been well-maintained and offers tremendous power, overhead cranes and access to rail lines.”

The plant, to be renamed McGraw Industrial Center, is located at Ford and Wyoming, near Ford’s Rouge Center. The McGraw Glass plant originally was used by Chrysler to build its midsize DeSoto brand, first introduced in 1929 and discontinued in 1961. It was converted to a glass production site in 1960 before closing last year. The plant closed last year.