If you’ve spent any time driving through the western suburbs of Detroit, you know that the stretch of 5 Mile Road near Northville and Plymouth feels like a mix of high-end residential pockets and serious industrial muscle. It’s a weird transition area. One minute you’re looking at sprawling estates, and the next, you’re staring at the headquarters of companies that basically keep the global automotive and logistics industries from collapsing. Right in the thick of that is 44045 5 Mile Rd Plymouth MI, a property that doesn't look like much from a satellite view but actually serves as a pretty significant hub for some heavy hitters in the corporate world.
It's a massive facility.
When people search for this specific address, they aren't usually looking for a local pizza joint or a boutique. They’re looking for the heartbeat of the Burroughs operation or checking in on the massive 675,000-square-foot industrial complex that dominates this parcel of land. It’s located in the Plymouth Industrial Park, a zone that has become increasingly valuable as land prices in Metro Detroit climb and the demand for "last-mile" logistics space hits a fever pitch.
What’s Actually Happening at 44045 5 Mile Rd?
Honestly, the biggest tenant most people associate with this spot is Burroughs. Now, if you’re of a certain age, you might remember Burroughs as a computer company—one of the "BUNCH" (Burroughs, Univac, NCR, Control Data, and Honeywell) that tried to take on IBM decades ago. But the Burroughs of today, which operates out of 44045 5 Mile Rd Plymouth MI, is a different beast entirely. They’ve pivoted hard. Instead of mainframe computers, they are now a leader in managed services, focusing heavily on things like ATM maintenance, cash automation, and smart safe technology.
If you’ve ever used a self-checkout kiosk or an ATM at a major bank, there’s a decent chance the tech inside or the person who fixes it is managed through the systems at this Plymouth location.
It's a high-stakes business.
The facility isn't just an office building; it’s a logistics and service hub. Because it sits so close to M-14 and I-275, it’s basically perfectly positioned. You can get a service truck or a shipment out to the airport or downtown Detroit in twenty minutes. That’s why firms like this stay put. You can’t easily replicate the logistics of this specific corner of Wayne County.
The Real Estate Reality of the Plymouth Industrial Corridor
Let's talk about the building itself because the scale is somewhat staggering. We are looking at a site that covers roughly 40 to 50 acres. In a town like Plymouth, where residential developers are constantly hunting for land to build $800,000 "luxury" farmhouses, having this much industrial-zoned acreage is like sitting on a gold mine.
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Property records show the site has been through various owners and management phases, often tied to major industrial REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). These are the folks who own the "bones" of the American economy. They don't care about curb appeal; they care about floor load capacity, ceiling heights, and the number of dock doors. At 44045 5 Mile Rd, you have a building that caters to the "flex" market—part office, part warehouse, part high-tech lab.
It’s expensive. Tax assessments in this area have stayed robust because the Plymouth-Canton school district is a draw and the municipal services are top-tier. Businesses pay a premium to be here.
Why This Specific Spot in Plymouth Matters So Much
A lot of people confuse Plymouth and Plymouth Township. 44045 5 Mile Rd Plymouth MI sits in the Township, which generally means more space and a slightly different tax structure than the city proper. For a business, this is the sweet spot. You get the "Plymouth" brand—which implies safety, stability, and a high-income workforce nearby—without the cramped quarters of a historic downtown.
Think about the neighbors.
Within a five-mile radius of this address, you have:
- The Robert Bosch powerhouse (major automotive R&D).
- Amazon fulfillment centers that have sprouted up like weeds.
- Rivian's massive footprint nearby.
- Numerous Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
When a company sets up shop at 44045 5 Mile Rd, they aren't just renting space; they are embedding themselves in an ecosystem. If a machine breaks down at a plant in Livonia, the technicians from this facility are there in fifteen minutes. That proximity is the "secret sauce" of the Michigan economy that people in Silicon Valley often overlook. We don't just design things here; we maintain the physical infrastructure of the country.
The Evolution from "Computer Giant" to Service Hub
The history of the site is intertwined with the legacy of Burroughs. In the mid-20th century, Burroughs was the pride of Detroit’s tech scene. They eventually merged with Sperry Tiara to form Unisys, and for a long time, the name Burroughs seemed like it might fade into the history books alongside brands like Oldsmobile or Hudson's.
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But the brand was revived. The current iteration of Burroughs, Inc. moved its headquarters to this Plymouth location around 2011-2012. It was a strategic move. They needed to move away from the aging infrastructure of older industrial zones and into a "Class A" industrial park that could handle modern data needs and massive logistics.
It worked.
The company shifted from being a hardware manufacturer to a "labor-as-a-service" model. They provide the people and the brains to keep the financial world's hardware running. When you see a white van at a bank fixing an ATM, think of this address. That’s the "control tower."
Navigating the 44045 5 Mile Rd Complex
If you’re actually planning to visit, don't just trust the first GPS ping. The entrance to 44045 5 Mile Rd Plymouth MI can be a bit tricky because the facility is so set back from the road. It shares the general area with other large industrial complexes, and if you miss the turnoff, you’re stuck doing a U-turn in a semi-truck-heavy zone. Not fun.
The site is strictly secured.
Because they handle sensitive financial technology and high-value components, you can’t just wander into the lobby. It’s a professional, high-security environment. For job seekers, this is a major employment hub in the region, often hiring for:
- Field service technicians.
- Logistics coordinators.
- Supply chain analysts.
- Corporate accounting and HR roles.
It’s one of the few places in the area where you’ll see someone in a tailored suit walking into the same building as someone in a high-visibility work vest. It’s a microcosm of the "New Michigan" economy.
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Is the Building Part of a Larger Trend?
Definitely. We’re seeing a massive "re-shoring" movement. Companies want their service parts and their managers close to the action. For years, the trend was to move everything to the cheapest possible location, regardless of the distance. Now, the lesson of the last few years has been: proximity is king.
The value of 44045 5 Mile Rd has likely skyrocketed since 2020. Warehouse and flex space in the Detroit "West Corridor" is currently sitting at some of the lowest vacancy rates in history. If Burroughs were to ever vacate (which doesn't seem likely given their investment in the site), there would be a literal line of suitors waiting to grab that square footage.
Moving Forward: What You Need to Know
Whether you're a real estate investor, a job seeker, or a business partner looking for the Burroughs headquarters, there are a few practical takeaways regarding this property.
First, the zoning is "Light Industrial," but the actual use is quite sophisticated. It’s not a "dirty" factory. It’s a clean-room, high-tech logistics environment. If you’re looking at neighboring properties, expect high competition and even higher price-per-square-foot asks.
Second, the traffic patterns on 5 Mile Road are getting heavier. The township has been working on road improvements, but during the 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM rushes, the intersection of 5 Mile and Sheldon (just to the east) or Beck Road (to the west) can be a nightmare. Plan accordingly if you have a meeting at the site.
Finally, keep an eye on the local Plymouth Township planning commission records. Because this is such a large parcel, any changes to the building—solar installations, expansions, or new outbuildings—usually signal broader shifts in how these large-scale service companies are adapting to the green economy.
Actionable Insights for Navigating 44045 5 Mile Rd:
- For Job Seekers: Don't just show up with a resume. The facility is secure and doesn't handle walk-ins. Apply through the Burroughs corporate portal first; they are the primary occupant and handle their own recruiting.
- For Logistics Partners: Use the western entrance for heavy freight. The 5 Mile frontage is primarily for passenger vehicles and light "sprinter" vans.
- For Local Residents: This facility is a "quiet" neighbor. Unlike some of the heavy stamping plants further east in Livonia, this site doesn't produce the same level of noise or air pollution, making it a stable anchor for the community's tax base.
- For Real Estate Researchers: Check the Wayne County Register of Deeds for the most recent "Memorandum of Lease." This will give you the most accurate picture of who actually controls the interior square footage, as industrial tenants often sublease smaller wings to tech startups or subsidiary firms.