Ford’s first new headquarters in 70 years will have a showroom like a ‘James Bond villain’s lair,’ design chief says

Core Insights - Ford Motor Co. is relocating its headquarters for the first time in 70 years to a new 2.1 million square-foot facility in Dearborn, Michigan, which is double the size of the old headquarters [1][3][4] - The new headquarters aims to reflect Ford's vision for the future, focusing on modern amenities and collaboration to attract new talent, particularly in software and AI [5][6] Group 1: Headquarters Features - The new headquarters includes a 160,000-square-foot food hall with seven restaurants, office space, design studios, and fabrication shops [1] - A key feature is a showroom described as a "James Bond villain's lair," emphasizing its role in automotive design [2] - The building is designed to enhance decision-making and collaboration among employees, contrasting with the previous headquarters where executives were isolated [3][6] Group 2: Strategic Goals - Ford aims to be perceived as a forward-looking company, moving away from its historical image as a traditional car manufacturer [5][8] - The relocation is part of a broader strategy to compete for talent in the tech sector, particularly against companies also seeking software engineers and AI experts [5][8] - The new headquarters is expected to house over 14,000 employees within a seven-minute walk and an additional 9,000 within a nine-minute drive, enhancing accessibility [6] Group 3: Historical Context - The current headquarters, known as "The Glass House," opened in 1956 and will be demolished as part of the move [4] - The new facility will be part of a larger campus named after Henry Ford II, reflecting the company's legacy while looking towards the future [4]