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{{For|the building in Cleveland, Ohio|Guardian Bank Building}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Guardian Building | nrhp_type = nhl | nrhp_type2 = cp | nocat = yes | partof = Detroit Financial District | partof_refnum = 09001067 | image = Guardianbuilding.jpg | caption = | location = 500 [[Griswold Street]]<br />[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] | coordinates = {{coord|42|19|47|N|83|2|45|W|display=inline,title}} |locmapin =Michigan#USA | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker = building | mapframe-zoom = 12 |mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the location of Guardian Building | area = | built = 1929 | architect = [[Wirt C. Rowland]] of [[SmithGroupJJR|Smith, Hinchman & Grylls]] | architecture = [[Mayan Revival architecture|Mayan Revival]], [[Art Deco]] | designated_nrhp_type = June 29, 1989<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2061&ResourceType=Building|title=Guardian Building|access-date=June 27, 2008|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006235246/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2061&ResourceType=Building|archive-date=October 6, 2012}}</ref> | added = June 29, 1989<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref> | refnum = 89001165 }} '''Guardian Building''' is a landmark 43-story office [[skyscraper]] in the [[Detroit Financial District|Financial District]] of [[downtown Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. Built from 1928 to 1929, the building was originally called the '''Union Trust Building'''<ref name="aia">{{Cite book | author1=Hill, Eric J. | author2=John Gallagher | title=AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture | year=2002 | publisher=Wayne State University Press | isbn=0-8143-3120-3 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/aiadetroitameric0000hill }} P. 94.</ref> and is a bold example of [[Art Deco]] architecture, including [[art moderne]] designs.<ref name="Guardian">Zacharias, Pat (March 9, 2001). [http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history/2001/03/09/guardian-building-has-long-been-the-crown-jewel-in-detroit-skyline/ Guardian Building has long been the crown jewel in Detroit skyline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224185613/http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history/2001/03/09/guardian-building-has-long-been-the-crown-jewel-in-detroit-skyline/ |date=2014-02-24 }}. Michigan History, ''Detroit News''. Retrieved April 29, 2016.</ref> It was designated a [[List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan|National Historic Landmark]] in 1989, and is currently owned by [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]].<ref name="nris"/> ==Architecture== {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | total_width = 200 | image1 = GuardianTallSpire.png | alt1 = | caption1 = Tall Spire | image2 = GuardianShortSpire.png | caption2 = Shorter Spire }} The main frame of the skyscraper rises 32 stories, capped by two asymmetric [[spire]]s, one extending for seven additional stories. The roof height of the building is 496 ft (151 m), the top floor is 489 feet (149 m), and the spire reaches 632 ft (192.6 m). Its nickname, ''Cathedral of Finance'', alludes both to the building's resemblance to a cathedral—with its tower over the main entrance and octagonal [[apse]] at the opposite end—and to New York City's [[Woolworth Building]], which had earlier been dubbed the ''Cathedral of Commerce.''<ref name="Guardian"/> [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] themes are common inside and outside the building. [[Wirt C. Rowland]], of the [[Smith, Hinchman & Grylls]] firm, was the building's architect. The building rises from a granite and stone six story base with two sculptures created by [[Corrado Parducci]] flanking the Griswold Street entrance. The architect closely supervised the building of the exterior, which includes [[brickwork]] with [[tile]], [[limestone]], and [[terra cotta]]. The colored brick that Rowland selected for the exterior came to be marketed by the manufacturer as “Union Trust Brick” and, after 1939, as “Guardian brick”.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/guardianbuilding0000tott/page/136 <!-- quote="Guardian Brick". --> ''The Guardian Building: Cathedral of Finance''] James W. Tottis; Wayne State University Press, 2008 page 136</ref> Rowland designed furniture for the bank's offices as well as tableware, linens, and waitress uniforms for a restaurant in the building. The building's three-story, vaulted lobby is lavishly decorated with [[Pewabic Pottery|Pewabic]] and [[Rookwood Pottery|Rookwood]] tile. The semi-circular exterior domes are filled with [[Pewabic Pottery]]; [[Mary Chase Perry Stratton]] worked closely with the architect in the design of the symbolic decorations.<ref name="Pewabic">Nolan, Jenny (February 13, 2000).[http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=23 Pewabic tile, Detroit's art treasure] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121110309/http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=23 |date=2013-01-21 }}. Michigan History, ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved June 6, 2008.</ref> (''See'' Savage, infra.) A [[Monel]] metal screen divides the lobby from the banking hall on the second floor, the screen features a clock in the center designed by [[Tiffany glass|Tiffany]]. The building includes works by muralist [[Ezra Winter]] in the mosaic above the main lobby desk and the mural at the end of the banking hall.<ref name="Tottis">{{Cite book | author=Tottis, James W. | title=The Guardian Building: Cathedral of Finance | publisher=Wayne State University Press | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-8143-3385-3 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/guardianbuilding0000tott }}</ref> The large mosaic is of a pine tree and text that states the Union Trust Company's purpose for the building, "Founded on principles of faith and understating, this building is erected for the purpose of continuing and maintaining the ideals of financial services which promoted the organization of the institution". The mural highlights Michigan's industries such as manufacturing, farming and mining. In order to dampen the sound in the banking hall, its cement-plaster ceiling features a hand-painted canvas ceiling, which was stretched over a mat of horsehair. ==Innovations== {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | total_width = 200 | image1 = Guardian Building Detroit Interior Clock.jpg | alt1 = | caption1 = The Monel Metalwork }} The Guardian Building featured innovations in both design and technology. The building's designer, [[Wirt Rowland]], specified [[Monel]] metal in place of the commonly used brass and bronze for all exposed metalwork on the building, an innovation which was widely adopted, most notably on New York's [[Chrysler Building]]. Rowland dispensed with traditional forms of decoration, using instead colored materials (brick, stone, and [[terra cotta]]) set in geometric patterns on both the interior and exterior of the structure. The building's elevator system represented the first use of technology which automatically stopped the car level with the floor and opened the doors, tasks formerly handled by the operator.<ref name=Smith>{{Cite book | author= Smith, Michael G. | title=Designing Detroit: Wirt Rowland and the Rise of Modern American Architecture| publisher=Wayne State University Press| year=2017| isbn=978-0814339794}}</ref> [[William Kapp|William Edward Kapp]], architect for the firm of [[Smith, Hinchman & Grylls]] has been credited with interior design work on the Guardian Building.<ref name="Witsil">{{cite news |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/06/14/meadow-brook-hall-architect-william-kapp/7234324002/ |title=Downton Abbey fame leads to Meadow Brook Hall architect getting credit he deserves |first1=Frank |last1=Witsil |date=June 15, 2021 |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]}}{{subscription required}}</ref> ==History== The skyscraper was built by the Union Trust Company, founded in Detroit in 1890 by Senator [[James McMillan (politician)|James McMillan]], and [[Dexter M. Ferry]], along with investments from [[Russell A. Alger]], Col. [[Frank J. Hecker]], and [[Christian H. Buhl]].<ref name="Guardian"/> During World War II, the Guardian Building served as the U.S. Army Command Center for war time production.<ref name="Guardian"/> The Guardian served various tenants as an office building in downtown Detroit. In 1982 it became the headquarters of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon") subsequent to the divestiture of MichCon by ANR Company in 1981. Under the leadership of President and COO Stephen E. Ewing, MichCon restored the lobby and vaulted ceilings on the first floor in 1986. It would stay MichCon's later to be called MCN Energy Group headquarters until the merger of MCN with DTE Energy in 2001. It was sold by DTE to a local real estate developer, the Sterling Group, in 2002. The Sterling Group invested $14 million in the building and reopened the lobby to the public, which had only been accessible to employees after MichCon purchased the building. On July 18, 2007, Wayne County Executive [[Robert Ficano]] announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Guardian Building to relocate its offices from the [[Wayne County Building]]. The deal was reportedly part of a larger deal worth $33.5 million in real estate purchases in downtown Detroit.<ref>Duggan, Daniel (August 30, 2007). [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20070830/SUB/70830005/guardian-building-purchase-ok-d Guardian Building purchase OK’d]. ''Crain's Detroit Business''. Retrieved April 29, 2016.</ref> The Guardian Building has become a souvenir item along with other Detroit skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite web | title=Guardian Building 100 | url=https://www.replicabuildings.com/proddetail.php?prod=419 | work=replicabuildings.com }}</ref> ==Tenants== *[[SmithGroup]]<ref name="smithgroupjjr">{{cite web|url=https://www.smithgroup.com |title= SmithGroup - Contact Corporate |publisher=smithgroup.com|access-date=March 5, 2025}}</ref> *[[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] - Departments: Buildings, Commission, Corporation Counsel, Department of Information Technology, Economic Development Corporation, Management & Budget, Economic Development, Wayne County Land Bank, Benefits, County Executive, Healthchoice, Health, Veterans Services, Prosecutors & Detectives, Personal/Workforce, Indigent Defense Services, Juvenile and Youth Services *[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] * Detroit Land Bank Authority * Guardian Cafe Featuring James Oliver Coffee * Bank of America * Huron Capital * Detroit Economic Growth Corporation * Eagle Security Services * Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan * Law Office of Sklar & Rataj * Jacobs & Diemer * Roncelli Construction Services * Attorney Kenneth Sebree * Wade Trim * WSP * Bajoka Law Group * Guardian Store * Green Room * Crazy Gring * Land Capital Ventures * Law Office of Maria Mannarino * Steingold Law Firm * The Detroit People Mover * City Tour Detroit * The Monzo Group * St. J Style * Law office of Nathan & Kamionski * Pitts Law Firm ==Gallery== <gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:GuardianBldgDetroit.jpg|{{center|The Guardian Building, flying the [[Flag of the United States|American flag]] over the [[Detroit Financial District]]}} File:Guardian Building with flag - Detroit Michigan.jpg|{{center|Top of the Guardian Building, with [[The Qube (Detroit)|The Qube]] in the foreground}} File:GuardianBuildingCP edit1.jpg|The sculptures of Safety and Security flank the main entrance File:Tiled arch, Guardian Building (8543639760).jpg|{{center|Semi-circular dome over the main entrance}} File:Union Trust Building-Metal Gates.jpg|{{center|[[Monel]] metal gates in the basement}} File:Detroit December 2015 30 (Guardian Building).jpg|{{center|Lower lobby}} File:Ceiling tile in the lobby of the Guardian building (8542536425).jpg|{{center|Ceiling tile in the lobby}} File:Detroit December 2015 29 (Guardian Building).jpg|{{center|Banking hall}} File:Lamp, Guardian Building elevator lobby (8542544587).jpg|{{center|Lamp in the elevator lobby}} File:Guardian Building Stair Well.jpg|{{center|Guardian Building Stair Well}} File:GuardianSkyBridge.png|Pedestrian bridge between the Guardian Building and [[One Woodward Avenue]] </gallery> ==See also== {{Portal|Michigan}} * [[Buhl Building]] * [[Cadillac Place]] * [[David Stott Building]] * [[Fisher Building]] * [[Penobscot Building]] * [[List of tallest buildings in Detroit]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== *Ferry, W. Hawkins (1968). ''The Buildings of Detroit: A History''. Wayne State University Press. *Kvaran, Einar Einarsson, ''Shadowing Parducci'', unpublished manuscript, Detroit. *{{Cite book | author=Meyer, Katherine Mattingly and Martin C.P. McElroy with Introduction by W. Hawkins Ferry, Hon A.I.A. | title=Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised Edition | year=1980 | publisher=Wayne State University Press | isbn=0-8143-1651-4 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/detroitarchitect0000unse }} *{{Cite book |author1=Savage, Rebecca Binno |author2=Greg Kowalski | title=Art Deco in Detroit (Images of America) | publisher=Arcadia | year=2004 | isbn=0-7385-3228-2}} *{{Cite book | author=Sharoff, Robert | title=American City: Detroit Architecture | publisher=Wayne State University Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-8143-3270-6 | author-link=Robert Sharoff}} *{{Cite book | author=Smith, Michael G. | title= Designing Detroit: Wirt Rowland and the Rise of Modern American Architecture| publisher= Wayne State University Press| year=2017 | isbn=978-0814339794}} *{{Cite book | author=Sobocinski, Melanie Grunow | title=Detroit and Rome: building on the past | publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan | year=2005 | isbn=0-933691-09-2}} *{{Cite book | author=Tottis, James W. | title=The Guardian Building: Cathedral of Finance | publisher=Wayne State University Press | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-8143-3385-3 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/guardianbuilding0000tott }} *{{Cite book | author=Tutag, Nola Huse with Lucy Hamilton | title=Discovering Stained Glass in Detroit | publisher=Wayne State University Press | year=1988 | isbn=0-8143-1875-4}} *Lacy, Robert, Ford, The Men and the Machine, Little Brown & Co., 1986, pgs. 328-334 ==External links== www.guardianbuilding.com {{Commons category|Guardian Building}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20190617150054/http://guardianbuilding.com/ Official '''Guardian Building''' website] * {{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118559 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123635/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118559 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |title=Emporis building ID 118559 |work=[[Emporis]]}} * [http://nps.gov/nr/travel/detroit/d17.htm National Park Service: Guardian Building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802171520/https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/detroit/d17.htm |date=August 2, 2020 }} * {{SkyscraperPage|1229}} *[http://mishigamaa.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/cathedral-of-finance/ Made in Michigan Blog: "Cathedral of Finance" (Guardian Building)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104103258/http://mishigamaa.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/cathedral-of-finance/ |date=January 4, 2014 }} — ''text and vintage images''. * {{Structurae|id=20020452|title=Guardian Building}} {{Downtown Detroit}} {{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}} {{National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Michigan}} [[Category:Art Deco skyscrapers]] [[Category:Downtown Detroit]] [[Category:County government buildings in Michigan]] [[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Detroit]] [[Category:Office buildings completed in 1929]] [[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Metro Detroit]] [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Detroit]] [[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan]] [[Category:Historic district contributing properties in Michigan]] [[Category:1920s architecture in the United States]] [[Category:1928 sculptures]] [[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Michigan]] [[Category:Buildings with sculpture by Corrado Parducci]] [[Category:Art Deco architecture in Michigan]] [[Category:Mayan Revival architecture]]
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