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Building, Airport Sub, since 1927

Coleman A. Young International Airport

Standing and open

A drawing of Coleman A. Young International Airport from its recorded size and style. No photo we may share has turned up yet.
Opened
1927
Standing
99 years

Designed by Perry A. Fellows

Coleman A. Young International Airport has stood on Conner St. in Airport Sub since 1927, 99 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

Coleman A. Young International Airport today, from the street

Coleman A. Young International Airport from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026

What is there now

Under renovation

  • Standing and open Source: Historic Detroit

Building permits at this address

17 permits since June 2025

$31.9 million in declared work (6 of 17 name a figure) Newest: Electrical permit, September 9, 2026

  1. Electrical permit

    All buildings wiring and installing lights and Generator 45KVA

  2. Electrical permit

    Full temp. control installation

  3. Fire alarm permit

    Install a new Fire Alarm System

  4. Mechanical permit

    Gas Piping

  5. Elevator permit

    City #8318-2500-3-temp 15 days expire-10-1-26 Furnish & install new pumping unit complete, controller, car... Read all

    City #8318-2500-3-temp 15 days expire-10-1-26 Furnish & install new pumping unit complete, controller, car & hatch door

  6. Boiler permit

    DT-B020890 NB#102032 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Hydronic/Hot Water Heating Boiler - 84 sq. ft. heating... Read all

    DT-B020890 NB#102032 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Hydronic/Hot Water Heating Boiler - 84 sq. ft. heating surface - BOILER #

  7. Boiler permit

    DT-B020976 NB#102029 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Hydronic/Hot Water Heating Boiler - 84 sq. ft. heating... Read all

    DT-B020976 NB#102029 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Hydronic/Hot Water Heating Boiler - 84 sq. ft. heating surface - BOILER #

  8. Boiler permit

    DT-P015286 NB#467671 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Thermal Expansion Tank - ET-1

  9. Boiler permit

    DT-P015249 NB#7129 - NEW INSTALLATION 2026 - Air/Water Separator Vessel - A/S 1

  10. New revision permit

    Revision to BLD2025-02887 to Code per plans. (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office &... Read all

    Revision to BLD2025-02887 to Code per plans. (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office & associated Site Work

    $1

  11. Plumbing permit

    Plumbing

  12. New revision permit

    REVISION TO BLD2024-01875 TO SHOW TRUE SCOPE OF WORK (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office &... Read all

    REVISION TO BLD2024-01875 TO SHOW TRUE SCOPE OF WORK (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office & associated Si

    $5.8 million

  13. Alteration permit

    Site work to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval. Separate DPW Right-of-Way Permits, DWSD Permits... Read all

    Site work to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval. Separate DPW Right-of-Way Permits, DWSD Permits required.

    $10,000

  14. Alteration permit

    Change of Occupancy/Use to School (Vocational/Technical) & alterations for the Davis Aerospace High School... Read all

    Change of Occupancy/Use to School (Vocational/Technical) & alterations for the Davis Aerospace High School to Code per p

    $14.6 million

  15. New revision permit

    Revision to BLD2024-01875 to Code per plans. (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office &... Read all

    Revision to BLD2024-01875 to Code per plans. (Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office & associated Site Work

    $5.8 million

  16. Plumbing permit

    New Hanger construction.

  17. New permit

    Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office & associated Site Work per plans. Subject to Field... Read all

    Construct 20,000 sq ft Hanger & 5,000 sq ft Office & associated Site Work per plans. Subject to Field Approval.

    $5.8 million

Source: City and county building permits

We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

Coleman A. Young International Airport opened in 1927, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top.

Perry A. Fellows drew the plans.

It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.

Go see it at 11499 Conner St. Photos never get the scale right.

Timeline

  1. 1927 Built Designed by Perry A. Fellows
  2. 2025 6 building permits $31.9 million in declared work, the latest December 16
  3. 2026 11 building permits $1 in declared work, the latest September 9
  4. 2026 Today Under renovation

Where it is

11499 Conner St.

On this map

  1. Coleman A. Young International Airport This place
  2. New Elementary School 0.6 mi
  3. Wilkins Elementary School 0.9 mi
  4. Lynch School 0.9 mi

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

Who made it

Architect

Perry A. Fellows

Architect. Designed Coleman A. Young International Airport (1927)

More from Detroit in the 1920s

Around the block

It is in Airport Sub. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.

Photo credits

Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.

  1. Coleman A. Young International Airport from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026

Sources

Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.