Seven million square feet of office space. That’s Southfield Michigan. A sprawling suburban city just northwest of Detroit. Southfield isn’t just another suburb. It’s a significant business hub. More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have offices here. Think of Southfield as Detroit’s quieter more organized cousin.
Southfield’s story starts long before its official incorporation in 1958. Surveyors mapped the land in 1817. Early settlers arrived from Birmingham and Royal Oak Michigan. Others traveled from far away places like New York and Vermont. John Daniels is often credited as the first settler. He arrived in 1823 bringing along a few others to start their new lives. The area was originally called Ossewa Township. It became Southfield Township seventeen days later. It took its name from its location in the “south fields” of Bloomfield Township.
The 1950s were a period of rapid change for Southfield. Neighboring communities incorporated as cities and villages. This created a need for Southfield to become its own city. Incorporation as a city in 1958 protected Southfield from being annexed by Detroit. This was largely due to racial tensions. Whites moving to the suburbs didn’t want to be associated with Detroit’s expanding black community. The Southfield Fire Department was established in 1942. The Southfield Police Department followed in 1953. This reflects the growing need for municipal services as the area developed.
Southfield City Centre is a prominent landmark. It’s a mixed-use area with a major business center and Lawrence Technological University. The area was designed in 1992 to improve pedestrian amenities and encourage economic growth. It stands as a testament to Southfield’s ambition and forward thinking. The area shows its remarkable growth. Southfield has also attracted international attention. Several consulates are located here. The Consulate of Macedonia the Consulate of Lebanon and the Consulate of Iraq all have a presence in Southfield.
Southfield’s growth continues. Northland Center a pioneering shopping mall opened in 1954. It closed in 2015. Now it is being redeveloped as a mixed-use residential and commercial complex. Southfield boasts over 780 acres of parkland. It has a nationally recognized public school district. Southfield’s diverse population includes significant African American Chaldean Catholic Assyrian and Jewish American communities. The city also plays a prominent role in Detroit’s media landscape. Many television stations have studios here. This reinforces Southfield’s significance as more than just a suburb. It’s a vibrant and multifaceted community. A place where history and progress blend seamlessly. A true “Center of it All”.