A Towering
Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
For generations, the J.L. Hudson Department Store was the premier retailer in Detroit and one of the most important department stores in the country. As the store’s physical footprint grew over the decades, so too did its place in the collective hearts and minds of Detroiters.
Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
At one time, the J.L. Hudson Department Store was the largest in the United States. Construction began in 1891 and would undergo 12 expansions, ultimately reaching a height of 25 stories and covering an entire city block. The massive flagship store anchored the bustling Woodward Avenue corridor and was a destination location for both domestic and international shopping enthusiasts.
Despite its impressive history and outsized presence in Detroit, the J.L. Hudson Department Store closed its doors in 1983 and was eventually demolished in 1998. In 2017, Bedrock broke ground and has ensured that the history of the site is echoed in the new Hudson’s Detroit.