DETROIT – The once bustling Mammoth Shopping Center on Detroit’s west side, a landmark that has stood vacant for more than two decades, began its demolition on Monday morning. The Mammoth building, located at the corner of W. Grand River and Greenfield, has long been a symbol of both memories and blight for the local community.
Neighbors gathered early to witness and document the event, capturing the poignant moment as demolition crews started tearing down the structure. For many, the building held nostalgic value.
Clayton Carter, a business owner across the street, recalled, “Everything was on the first floor. It was huge. I actually met my wife over in that building.”
The Mammoth Shopping Center originally opened in 1949 as Federal’s Department Store. Over the years, it transformed into the Mammoth Shopping Center, but for the last 25 years, it has sat vacant, increasingly described by nearby residents as an eyesore and a nuisance.
“Our whole community is glad that this building is coming down,” said Colin Matthews, a neighbor and member of the Whickham Block Club. “It’s been an eyesore.”
Getting to the demolition phase has been arduous. The case surrounding the Mammoth Shopping Center has been mired in legal battles over several years. Detroit city officials highlighted the lengthy process, involving multiple judges and countless hearings. Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett Jr. noted, “Three judges. Two years. And countless hearings, brought us to the moment we are at today.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan expressed support for the community’s desire to see progress, stating, “I know for the neighborhood here, this has been a long time coming.”
Local business owner Clayton Carter expressed hope for the future, saying, “It was a great nuisance. And I’m happy to see it being torn down. I just hope that they redevelop it and just don’t let it sit. I’m waiting for something new, fresh, to come over into this area to revitalize this neighborhood.”
However, not everyone is aligned with the city’s decision. One of the building’s owners, Gihad Nagi of Grand Detroit Mall, LLC, issued a detailed statement expressing deep disappointment over the demolition:
“We are deeply disappointed by the City of Detroit’s decision to demolish the historic Mammoth Building at 15401 W. Grand River, despite clear evidence and expert opinion showing that the building was structurally sound and repairable.
When we purchased this property at the Wayne County Tax Auction in September 2023, we did so in good faith, investing substantial resources to secure and rehabilitate it. Within weeks, we obtained a Building Permit, Vacant Property Certificate, and Blight Clearance, secured the premises against trespass, replaced a damaged dock door, and repaired the roof. We also removed significant amounts of refuse left by years of neglect, including debris, broken glass, and evidence of long-term squatting.
Our efforts were guided by the City’s Dangerous Buildings Division Director, Lucas McGrail, who advised securing the building and repairing the roof as priorities. On November 17, 2023, Detroit’s Business, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department Director David Bell personally inspected the property and issued a formal Recommendation of Deferral of demolition, stating that the building was sound and repairable.
Unfortunately, the City rescinded that deferral just weeks later without new structural evidence, added us to an existing nuisance lawsuit against the previous owner, and pursued demolition without allowing us meaningful access to complete our rehabilitation plan. The court-appointed receiver granted us only limited entry over an entire year, severely restricting our ability to address the property’s needs.
We believe this demolition constitutes an unjust taking of our investment and property rights, and we will continue to pursue legal remedies, including compensation for funds invested, projected rental income losses, and legal fees.
We purchased the Mammoth Building not to let it languish but to transform it, envisioning mixed-use redevelopment with community-serving retail, educational, and housing opportunities. Its loss represents not only the destruction of a piece of Detroit’s history but also the erasure of a viable redevelopment plan that could have brought jobs, services, and tax revenue to the west side.
We remain committed to fighting for fairness, transparency, and accountability in how Detroit treats investors willing to invest in reviving historic properties."
Gihad Nagi of Grand Detroit Mall, LLC, one of the building's owners
Demolition of the site is expected to be completed by the end of October 2025.
As demolition progresses, the community watches with mixed feelings. The future of the site now hangs in the balance, awaiting new development that many hope will bring renewal and vitality to Detroit’s West Side.