address:500 Griswold Street
data:
Year Built: 1928 -1929
Architect: Wirt Rowland (Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls)
Style: Art Deco
history:
The Guardian Building, a National Historic Landmark, is a skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Built in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building (originally called the Union Trust Building) is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including some art moderne designs. Covering an entire city block, the main frame of the skyscraper rises 36 stories, capped by two asymmetric spires, one extending for four additional stories. The height of the building is 489 feet (149 m). The exterior blends brickwork with tile, limestone, and terra cotta. Nicknamed the "Cathedral of Finance," the building's interior is lavishly decorated with mosaic and Pewabic and Rookwood tile. Native American themes are common inside and outside the building. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and has undergone recent award-winning renovations. Wirt C. Rowland, of the Smith Hinchman & Grylls firm, was the building's architect while Corrado Parducci created the two sculptures flanking the Griswold Street entrance. During World War II, the Guardian Building served as headquarters for war time production; Detroit was called the "Arsenal of Democracy."
history:
The Guardian Building, a National Historic Landmark, is a skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Built in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building (originally called the Union Trust Building) is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including some art moderne designs. Covering an entire city block, the main frame of the skyscraper rises 36 stories, capped by two asymmetric spires, one extending for four additional stories. The height of the building is 489 feet (149 m). The exterior blends brickwork with tile, limestone, and terra cotta. Nicknamed the "Cathedral of Finance," the building's interior is lavishly decorated with mosaic and Pewabic and Rookwood tile. Native American themes are common inside and outside the building. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and has undergone recent award-winning renovations. Wirt C. Rowland, of the Smith Hinchman & Grylls firm, was the building's architect while Corrado Parducci created the two sculptures flanking the Griswold Street entrance. During World War II, the Guardian Building served as headquarters for war time production; Detroit was called the "Arsenal of Democracy."
The building was purchased by Sterling Group in 2004. Under the Group's watch, the Guardian's office occupancy rate has nearly doubled, its promenade has been opened to the public for the first time in decades, and the building now has a doorman. Since this time the building has received exterior lighting accents at night and a new entrance canopy.
At the top of the Guardian Building's spire, is a huge American Flag, similar to the four smaller flags sitting atop nearby 150 West Jefferson.
links:
Official Website
National Register Entry
Detroit News
links:
Official Website
National Register Entry
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