Ford is expanding their office space into a mall. Ford will turn the old Lord and Taylor at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn into offices for 2,100 employees.
Lord and Taylor has been closed since 2006.
Rita Nelson, the Fairlane Town Center General Manager, said, "Who better to partner with than Ford? After much negotiation, it started back in July of last year. Ford decided this was a good location for what they need to accomplish."
Ford signed their lease in March.
They are taking the empty retail space and turning it into 240,000 square feet of office space.
"We both have this vision where we want to see economic growth. This is it. So here you have the Ford employers you have our retailers and it gives us an opportunity to partner together."
Many malls and department stores across the country have been dealing with store closures.
With Fairlane Town Center adding this mixed-use space, it could jump start more businesses.
"You are going to see some interesting changes in regards to our merchant mix too. You will see more restaurants coming on board. You will see other retailers coming on board."
Ford will move in two phases.
Phase one will take place in October with 900 employees and the rest will move in next year.
Ford officials were not available for an interview, but said they will comment once they are ready to discuss the details.
