Original Cadillac Factory Restored
The building where Cadillac assembled cars began in a wooden factory building in downtown Detroit at 450 Amsterdam Street. It burnt and was replaced by the first reinforced concrete auto plant in 1905. This building has been restored and repurposed as 61 rental apartments by Greatwater Opportunity Capital. The building, designed by legendary Detroit architect George Mason, was reopened as Amsterdam Lofts on September 17, 2025.
Original Cadillac Assembly Plant
Museum Vice President & Curator Tim Pawl participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and regaled those attending with information about the early Cadillac years.
Tim Pawl, Vice President & Curator
There was also another historic building renovated and repurposed as apartments by Greatwater at 1810 East Jefferson the same day. This was the Palms building designed by Albert Kahn and one of the first buildings in the U.S. to use reinforced concrete.
Along with Tim in his 1969 Deville Convertible, four other Cadillac Museum members helped with the ceremonies by transporting dignitaries in historic Cadillacs between the two buildings. They were Pat Westphal with his 1964 Deville Convertible, Joe Dapkus with his 1976 Eldorado Convertible, Alvin Lee with his 1976 Seville Sedan, and Steve Waldrop with his 1985 Convertible.
Cadillacs used for the ribbon cutting ceremony
Greatwater provided the Museum a generous donation in gratitude for its help.
