Guardian Building
You are using Emporis.com; all data marked with a * plus additional tools are accessible through
Emporis Research offered by Emporis.
Do you have an update for the content on this page?
[E-mail the Emporis Data Team]
[Enter and manage information and photos]
Identification
Name
Guardian Building
Alternative name
Union Trust Company Building
Emporis Building Number
118559
Location
| Main address |
|
| 500-548 Griswold Street |
| Virtual address |
|
| Virtual address |
|
| 28-38 West Larned Street |
Address as text
*
ZIP
*
District
City
State
Country
Map and Surrounding Area
Technical Data
Height (tip)
*
Height (architectural)
151.03 m
Height (roof)
*
Floors (above ground)
40
Floors (underground)
*
Construction start
*
Construction end
*
Structure in General
Construction type
skyscraper
Current status
existing [completed]Facade material
brick
terra-cotta
ceramic tile
granite
Facade system
applied masonry
Architectural style
art deco / art moderne
Usages
Main usages
commercial officeSide usages
restaurant
service branch(es) shop(s)Features and Amenities
National landmark
One of the city's famous buildings
Facts
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, the Guardian Building was designed by Wirt C. Rowland of the leading Detroit architecture firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. |
Termed a "cathedral of commerce" and "one of the most exuberant Art Deco skyscrapers built in America," the Guardian Building was built for what was at the time Detroit's leading financial institution. |
The cathedral theme is emphasized on the exterior by the two towers at each end of the building connected by a somewhat lower navelike block. The theme is played out in the interior with the tall banking lobby designed as a nave with side aisles. |
A specially formulated orange brick, known as Guardian brick, clads the steel frame. Brilliantly colored terra-cotta, glazed tile, and gold-stained glass and metal decorate it inside and out. |
The Guardian Building was the world's tallest masonry structure when it was completed. |
This Art Deco piece is marked by American Indian and Aztec motifs. |
The south tower roof lies at 423'-10" above street level, plus 9'-8" to the structural top. |
The main roof at the 36th floors lies 396'-10" above street level, plus 4'-4.25" to the parapet wall. |
The north tower roof lies 482'-0" above street level, plus 13'-6" to the structural top. |
The flagpole rises 150'-0" from the north tower roof, making the tip height 632'-0". |
On the 32nd floor lies the Guardian Club Banquet Hall/Auditorium, which serves as a small conference center for up to 300 people. |
Companies involved in this building