Detroit architecture has had a rebirth over the last few years. Many historic buildings have been revitalized, restored and are being celebrated anew. Do not miss these notable examples while you’re exploring in and around downtown.
David Whitney (downtown)
This white triangle-shaped building was named for the wealthy lumber baron who commissioned it. Designed by Daniel H. Burnham & Co., this Neo-Renaissance sex pot of glazed terra cotta was restored in 2014.
The building, once offices, is now part residential, part hotel. You can go inside the four-story lobby, marvel at the high-ceiling golden atrium, and get a drink at the hotel bar.
Find it at the corner of Park and Woodward across from Grand Circus Park. It’s also the Grand Circus stop for the People Mover. It’s renovated Detroit Architecture.
Guardian Building (downtown)
This National Historic Landmark and jewel of Detroit architecture is a bold example of Art Deco that is not to be missed. At 500 Griswold Street, this beauty pageant winner is still as glorious as she ever was.
Completed in 1929, the Guardian features an array of colored Pewabic tiles and Native American and Aztec-styled designs. You’re free to go inside the lobby, where you’ll see a vast glass mosaic, a mural of Michigan, and sculptures by Corrado Parducci (He created many of the statues you’ll see in and around Detroit).
The promenade features a variety of shops and a cafe, so take a break and revel in the splendor of some fine, fine Detroit architecture design.
Grand Trunk Pub (downtown)
Built in the late 1800s, the former Grand Trunk Railroad ticket station is now a pub with decent food and a great selection of craft brews, so go inside because the interior of this building is where the glory lies.
Take in the long bar that was once the ticket counter for the old Grand Trunk Railroad. Breathe in the old wood and stretch your neck to take in the vaulted ceiling, decorative plaster and brass chandeliers of days gone by. You can practically hear the old registers ringing with ticket sales.
Find it at 612 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Bonus: Go upstairs to the Whisky Parlor to enjoy a shot of seemingly hundreds of different types of whiskey just like a solid old railroad ticket man might have. Now, ladies are allowed too.
GM Ren Cen (riverfront)
As the tallest building in the city, the Renaissance Center has been the focal point of Detroit’s skyline since it was built in the late 70s. The building is on the Detroit riverfront, a series of interconnected blue glass cylinder buildings.
Designed by architect John Portman, this “city within a city” houses a hotel (the third tallest hotel in the western hemisphere), food courts, offices and several restaurants and shops. The restaurant on the 72nd floor boasts spectacular 360-degree views.
If you fear heights, you should still enter the building from the riverfront and enjoy the view across the river toward Canada from the all-glass atrium on the ground level.
Bonus: Because he disappeared when it was poured, you might hear a rumor that union boss Jimmy Hoffa is buried in the RenCen foundation. Is it true? You tell me.
Ally Center (Comerica Tower) (downtown)
Detroit’s youngest, and second tallest skyscraper, was built for Comerica Bank in 1993 by architects John Burgee and Philip Johnson. Though it hasn’t been around that long, the pointed neo-gothic spires make it immediately recognizable and the most interesting element of this building.
The original design plan included a second tower, but budgets and the economy put it forever on hold. Find it at 500 Woodward Ave.
Book Tower (downtown)
When it opened in 1926, it was the tallest and most decorative building in the city.
Book Tower was conceived by the Book brothers and designed by Louis Kamper, who was ridiculed for this “cake” design ever after.
Kamper put decorative Corinthian columns, twelve caryatids (nude women), scrolls and other unique design elements all over. Speaking of unique, what makes this tall drink of cold water so recognizable is the green bronze cap and exterior fire escape.
Abandoned for years, this lovely lady recently received a power wash and reconstructive surgery. She’s about to debut into her second life. It will be the newest renovated Detroit Architecture.
Find her at 1265 Washington Blvd.
Metropolitan Building (downtown)
Abandoned, covered in graffiti, and home to vagrants, I once considered this the scariest building downtown, but no more. (Check out their website for stunning before and after photos)
Now the “Element Detroit at the Metropolitan” is a Neo-Gothic style high-rise hotel with a lot to recommend. Opened in 1925, this former “Jeweler’s Building” once was filled with actual jewels. Now it’s just a jewel of redevelopment at 33 John R. St.
Get a drink at the Monarch Club bar on one of several rooftop balconies (formerly a penthouse apartment) for amazing views of downtown. It’s a spectacular example of renovated Detroit Architecture.
Wayne County Building (downtown)
This beauty of Beaux-Arts Classicism was once home to the Wayne County Courthouse, but it knew it was too good for public service. She’s single now but ready to mingle with the right occupant.
Made of pink granite, marble, Tiffany glass, sandstone, and mahogany, this stately old queen won’t be alone for long. This former government building was, of course, constructed of the most expensive materials found on Earth.
The copper sculptures designed by J. Massey Rhind are of Roman chariots pulled by four horses. What’s unique about them? It’s a woman in the driver’s seat, as she should be.
Gawk at this sexy lady at 600 Randolph Street.
Fox Theatre (downtown)
Opened in 1928 for the Fox Theatre chain, the Fox was restored to glory in 1988.
Architect Howard Crane designed the interior with styles influenced by Chinese, Indian and Persian decor. Buy a ticket to a show to see the lobby with its famous red columns. Note the molded plants, animals, and faces are staring down at you from the ceiling. Stop for a picture on the grand staircase flanked by two colossal plaster lions.
Inside the theatre, the ceiling is a jaw-dropping starburst design of a blue circle mosaic with a 1,200-piece glass chandelier. Upon seeing it, my Mom said, “Be grateful you don’t have to clean that.”
If you don’t have a ticket to get inside, you can still enjoy the huge neon 1950s-style marquee facing Woodward. The original It’s renovated Detroit Architecture.
Penobscot Building
Named for the Penobscot Indians, you’ll see Native American designs throughout the interior and exterior of this 1928 art deco building.
The building, on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by architect Wirt Rowland. Made of basic limestone with a granite base, at first, it doesn’t seem so flashy but look again.
The Penobscot is a 30-story monolith with Chicago school setbacks culminating in a red neon beacon tower that was originally in place to alert planes of its presence in the sky.
Visit shops along the main floor and enjoy a drink, or power lunch, in the historic, and recently restored Caucus Club at Congress and Griswold.
David Stott (downtown)
Located in the revitalized Capital Park, the Stott recently reopened with a sassy new look. Originally opened in 1929, this Art Deco looker was the last one the city gave birth to before the Great Depression.
Recently re-opened, this tall and slender 38-story edifice is now a residential building, which means you can get a tour. The top-floor gym has spectacular 360-degree views of downtown. Recently renovated Detroit Architecture.
Find it at 1150 Griswold Street.
Detroit Masonic Temple (Midtown)
Detroit’s Masonic Temple is the world’s largest masonic temple. Let that sink in. It holds court in the former Cass Corridor, a neighborhood becoming progressively gentrified and now called “Midtown.”
This 1037-room neo-gothic palace to the masons has three theaters, a shrine, a chapel, multiple lodge rooms, a 17,500 square-foot drill hall, two ballrooms, a cafeteria, a barbershop, and a swimming pool, 16 bowling lanes, and a powerhouse.
Sculpture god Joe (Corrado) Parducci designed much of the stone, plaster, and metal. Parducci also did the ornamentation on the Penobscot, Stott, Fisher, Guardian, and other Detroit area sculptures.
Tours are available on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 500 Temple Street.
Detroit Institute of Arts (Midtown)
This beautiful Beaux-Arts, Italian Renaissance building was completed in 1927. The front features two inset fountains and an expanse of white marble steps alongside an Auguste Rodine sculpture of The Thinker (one of about a dozen).
Buy a ticket, or get in free if you’re a Wayne County resident because the interior is the best part. I have two words for you, Rivera Court.
Find it in Midtown, at 5200 Woodward Ave.
Michigan Central Station Train Depot (Corktown)
This Corktown icon was built for the Michigan Central Railroad in 1914. This stud has been abandoned, flooded, and in 2009, it entombed a dead body in the elevator shaft. Now, with a ton of investment from Ford Motor Co., it’s on its way to total restoration.
Find it at 2001 15th St, Detroit, MI 48216.
Fisher Building (New Center)
Also known as “Detroit’s largest art object,” you’ll find this Art Deco building outside downtown proper, in New Center. Albert Kahn built this flashy peacock in 1928. It houses the Fisher Theatre, where groups perform most of Detroit’s musicals.
Stroll among the shops in the opulent, golden, barrel-vaulted two-hall arcade. The building boasts over 40 different types of marble, just like St. Peter’s steps, so you’ll feel like you’re in architecture heaven.
Pure Detroit offers tours, and they’ll take you all the way to the top to the Fisher brother offices.
Find it at 3011 West Grand Boulevard.
BONUS: Broderick Tower (The Whale Building)
I lived in it for five years, so it has an extra special place in my heart.
Broderick Tower, aka “the Whale building” due to the “Whaling Wall” mural on the northwest wall facing Comerica Park.
Designed by architects Louis and Paul Kamper with Neo-classical architecture, Chicago school, and Beaux-Arts designs, the Broderick is especially unique.
You can walk to most of these buildings in a few hours. You’ll need a ride to the Train Station and Fisher Building.
My architectural preferences skew toward the classic, not modern. What about you? What is your favorite Detroit architecture?
Read more stories about Detroit here.
