October 18, 2008 started with a delicious breakfast at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel following which I met Bob Goldsmith from Detroit Tour Connections for an architectural walking tour of downtown Detroit. Detroit has a large collection of early 20th century architecture, and the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel itself is one of the most stunning examples of architectural restoration. After many years of abandonment and decay, this 1924 Art Deco stunner was recently renovated at a cost of over $200 million. Bob and I walked south on Washington Avenue and admired the 1923 Lafayette Building, the 1928 Penobscot Building, the Federal Court Building and the Detroit Free Press Building. A short walk away is the stunning Guardian Building, a 1925 Art Deco jewel with extensive Aztec-style decorations that used to be called the Cathedral of Finance. This building quickly became my Detroit favourite. Further south we explored Hart Plaza, Detroits Civic Centre which features several interesting sculptures. The waterfront right next to it is highlighted by the Gateway to Freedom, an impressive sculpture commemorating the Underground Railroad that was dedicated in 2001. Back up in the city we admired Campus Martius Park, a recently redesigned outdoor gathering place for many Detroiters. After a brief peek into the Art Deco-era David Stott Building we headed back to Washington Boulevard and took in the Kales Building, the David Broderick Tower and the David Whitney Building. This area, also referred to as skyscraper graveyard, was also home to the renowned Statler Hotel and the Hotel Tuller, both now demolished. Our architectural walking tour concluded with a visit to Detroits Eastern Market which was hustling and bustling on this Saturday morning.

Comments

1. Tanks for your comment. Detroit has some phenomenal architecture. I was quite blown away by it. It's just a real shame that many of these iconic buildings are empty and boarded up. But it ranks right at the top in terms of early 20th century architecture.
2. what an iconic structure. thanks for your great series of downtown Detroit shots...my favorite building is the book tower...the fire escape on the exterior of a substantially tall building is striking to me...