These before and after photos reveal how much Detroit has changed

For decades, Detroit has been America's underdog. The city has scrapped and fought its way through racialized urban planning and white flight, deindustrialization, and a massive recession. Through all of this, at times, Detroit has been down – but never out.  Just years after the city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2013, the city is looking more robust than it has in decades. That's not to say that redevelopment doesn't come with a cost, however. Housing prices are increasing while blight spreads, gentrification is displacing lower-income populations, and some shady corporate deals are giving corporations the upper hand over public interests.

You can see how much Detroit has changed in just a few years in these before and after photos.

*Some addresses are approximations

Photos by ©2018 Google unless otherwise noted
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These before and after photos reveal how much Detroit has changed
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Then – June 2009
Griswold Pharmacy
1214 Griswold St, Detroit MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2009


Griswold Pharmacy
1214 Griswold St, Detroit MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Aug. 2018
The Albert luxury apartments and retail
1214 Griswold St, Detroit MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Aug. 2018


The Albert luxury apartments and retail
1214 Griswold St, Detroit MI
©2018 Google
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Then – June 2009
Grand Army of the Republic Building
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2009


Grand Army of the Republic Building
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
4 of 51
Now – Aug. 2018
Grand Army of the Republic Building
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Aug. 2018


Grand Army of the Republic Building
1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
5 of 51
Then – June 2009
The Fox Theatre
2299 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2009


The Fox Theatre
2299 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Sept. 2018
The Fox Theatre
2299 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Sept. 2018


The Fox Theatre
2299 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then - Aug. 2007
Crystal Lofts pre-construction
1 Watson St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then - Aug. 2007


Crystal Lofts pre-construction
1 Watson St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Sept. 2018
New Order Coffee
1 Watson St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Sept. 2018


New Order Coffee
1 Watson St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then – June 2011
Vacant lot
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2011


Vacant lot
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Sept. 2018
Little Caesars Arena
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Sept. 2018


Little Caesars Arena
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then – June 2009
The vacant Wurlitzer building
1509 Broadway Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2009


The vacant Wurlitzer building
1509 Broadway Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Aug. 2018
The Siren Hotel
1509 Broadway Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Aug. 2018


The Siren Hotel
1509 Broadway Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then – June 2009
Tony-Lin Produce
2701 Russell St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – June 2009


Tony-Lin Produce
2701 Russell St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Sept. 2018
Tony-Lin Produce
2701 Russell St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Sept. 2018


Tony-Lin Produce
2701 Russell St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then – Aug. 2007
Intersection of Winder Street and Riopelle
2499 Riopelle St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – Aug. 2007


Intersection of Winder Street and Riopelle
2499 Riopelle St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
16 of 51
Now – Sept. 2018
Intersection of Winder Street and Riopelle
2499 Riopelle St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Sept. 2018


Intersection of Winder Street and Riopelle
2499 Riopelle St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Then – Aug. 2007
Vacant land
229 Orleans St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – Aug. 2007


Vacant land
229 Orleans St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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Now – Aug. 2018
Orleans Landing
229 Orleans St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Now – Aug. 2018


Orleans Landing
229 Orleans St., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
19 of 51
Then – Aug. 2013
Gold Cash Gold pawn shop
2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
©2018 Google unless otherwise noted

Then – Aug. 2013


Gold Cash Gold pawn shop
2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI
©2018 Google
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