Saturday, July 6, 2013

Visiting Detroit's Legendary Buildings

By Karen Helman


Detroit is a city filled with galvanizing historical buildings. Many of these notable structures have played an important role in shaping the cityscape.

Fisher Building

This is one of the most outstanding buildings in Detroit. It's been designated as "Detroit's biggest art object." The top level of this 28-story Art Deco structure towers high in the sky at an impressive 444 feet. The wealthy and powerful Fisher brothers hired Joseph Nathaniel French to design the building back in 1928 as a huge commercial complicated. The building homes retail shops, a massive 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 needed to have a building created 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 privilege of visiting the bank or one of the shops found within the building. As veterans of the war passed away across the years, the building eventually became empty. Plans for a huge renovation are presently in the works. Even though this is one of the smallest historical buildings in Detroit, it still is an important role in the development of the city.

General Motors Building

This building, now known as "Cadillac Place," is amongst the most significant buildings in Detroit. It played a major role in the development of Detroit's car industry. Company 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 formation until 2001. It happens to be one of the most distinguishable buildings in Detroit. The structure now homes offices providing state services.

The Guardian Building

The Union Trust Bank wanted a big space for their HQ, so they commissioned the building to be built by Wirt Rowland. It was completed in 1929, the year of the terrible Wall Street crash. The 40-story building was able to survive through the indulgent support of speculators. The Mayan Revival-inspired structure has been nicknamed the "Cathedral of Finance" for the high ceilings and adornments looking a little bit like a huge cathedral. Lots of the building is presently available for businesses to lease.

Michigan Central Station

Construction was completed to this critical transport hub 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 often empty. Minor restorations have been implemented to try and keep one of the most loved historical buildings in Detroit from further decay.




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