Historical Buildings in Detroit

By Karen Helman


Detroit is a city crammed with electrifying historical buildings. Many of those prominent structures have played an important part in shaping the cityscape.

Fisher Building

This is one of the most noteworthy buildings in Detroit. It's been delegated as "Detroit's biggest art object." The top level of this 28-story Art Deco structure towers high in the sky at a powerful 444 feet. The rich and potent Fisher brothers hired Joseph Nathaniel French to design the building back in 1928 as a massive commercial complicated. The building houses retail shops, a large live theater and art studios. 1 or 2 different radio stations had also staged their broadcasts from the building during its history.

Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Building

Union Military vets of the Civil War wished to have a building constructed for members of G.A.R. To conduct their civic and business activities. Richard Romanesque (who the design style was named after) and Julian Hess made the outside of this 5-story structure back in 1897 to give the appearance of a castle. G.A.R. Members had the indulgence of visiting the bank or one of the shops located within the building. As veterans of the war died across the years, the building ultimately became empty. Plans for a huge re-building are currently in the works. Although this is proving to be one of the smallest historical buildings in Detroit, it still is an vital role in the development of the city.

General Motors Building

This building, now known as "Cadillac Place," is among the most significant buildings in Detroit. It played a major role in the development of Detroit's car industry. Corporate heads at General Motors had the 15-story building designed by Albert Kahn in a Neo-Classical architectural style. Construction was completed in 1923. General Motors used it as their HQ from the building's inception until 2001. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in Detroit. The structure now houses offices providing state services.

The Guardian Building

The Union Trust Bank wanted a great space for their headquarters, so they commissioned the building to be built by Wirt Rowland. It was finished in 1929, the year of the terrible The Street crash. The 40-story building was able to survive through the indulgent support of investors. The Mayan Revival-inspired structure has been nicknamed the "Cathedral of Finance" for the high ceilings and decorations looking a little like a large cathedral. Much of the building is currently available for enterprises to lease.

Michigan Central Station

Construction was finished to this vital transport center in 1913. It was once the planet's tallest train station, boasting an 18-story tower. Architectural firm Reed and Stem mixed forces with Warren and Wetmore to craft the Beau-Arts design structure. It once serviced as many as 200 trains per day. The station stopped rail service in the latter 1980s. The building now sits generally empty. Minor restorations have been implemented to try to keep one of the most loved historical buildings in Detroit from further decay.




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