Best Architecture In Detroit
As one of the oldest and most historic cities in the country, Detroit has a mixture of classic and modern architecture that makes for a remarkable skyline.
Penobscot Building
645 Griswold Street
Detroit, Mich. 48226
(313) 961-8800
www.penobscotbuilding.com
The Penobscot Building gets its name from the Penobscot Indians from Maine, and Native American styled art deco ornamentation is seen on both the exterior and interior of the building. Opened in 1928, it was once the 8th tallest building in the world. For almost 50 years, it was Detroit's tallest building. It's summit was originally designed to anchor airships, but was put into the use of a radio tower. An orange neon ball on the top of the building is currently a fiber optic and wireless Internet hub in Detroit.
Guardian Building
500 Griswold Street
Detroit, Mich. 48226
www.guardianbuilding.com
The Guardian Building, originally called the Union Trust Building, was opened in 1929 as a grand example of Art Deco architecture. The building is now owned by Wayne County. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Fisher Building
3011 West Grand Boulevard
Detroit, Mich. 48202
www.nps.gov
The Fisher Building, originally part of a three-tower design, was relegated to a one tower unit due to shaky finances and the Great Depression. Funded by the Fisher family of Fisher Body fame, the structure is the anchor for Detroit's New Center Area, which was envisioned at one time to stretch into downtown. The building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Renaissance Center
100 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Mich. 48243
(313) 568-5600
www.gmrencen.com
A group of seven interconnected sky scrapers, it's nicknamed The RenCen and was conceived by Henry Ford II and financed primarily by the Ford Motor Company. The company moved out and the complex was sold to GM in 1996 with renovations completed in 2004. The project originally was meant to help revitalize downtown Detroit with a hoped for building boom and it was responsible for one billion dollars of economic growth its first year of construction. The hotel tower in the center is Detroit's tallest building.
One Detroit Center
500 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Mich. 48226
One Detroit Center, also known as Comerica Tower, is now Detroit's tallest office building and second tallest building. Its postmodern design is famous. Neo-gothic spires help it fit into the Detroit skyline. One Detroit Center won the Award of Excellence when it opened in 1996.
150 Jefferson Ave. (formerly the Madden Building)
Detroit, Mich. 48226
The building was built on the site of the old Detroit Stock Exchange and retains some of the old façade in its exterior and interior design. Its an example of postmodern architecture. The building opened in 1989.
