In may, he bought the david stott building and clark lofts, both located in the resurgent capitol park area of detroits core. In november 2009, key investment group of clinton township, michigan announced intentions to buy and renovate the building. The largest city in michigan, and one of the top ten largest metropolitan areas in the united states, detroit is the current and historical. Detroit is the site of eight skyscrapers at least 492 feet 150 m in height and twentyseven. Book tower is a 38story skyscraper in detroit, michigan, u. At center, the 36story book tower, built in 1926, was briefly the tallest building in detroit. Construction began on the italian renaissance style building in 1916 as an addition to the original book building, and finished a decade later. The 36story book tower opened in 1926 on the southwest corner of grand river avenue and washington, coincidentally, the original lot that the books grandfather had bought on the boulevard. Built in 1916 and completed in 1926, this historically significant building was once filled with fashionable shops and upscale offices, as a cornerstone of washington boulevard and bedrock is currently restoring the landmark to its.
Sarah cox of curbed detroit has evidence that the owners of the 36 tower book tower are at least thinking about renovating the shuttered skyscraper. Both were kamper designs that contributed to the book brothers vision of making washington. Detroit is the site of eight skyscrapers at least 492 feet 150 m in height and twentyseven at least 327 feet 100 m in height. Both were designed by architect louis kamper, who would later go on to design many of detroit s skyscrapers. The 1265 washington blvd location in the 48226 neighborhood of detroit has much to offer its residents. Book tower is a 81story skyscraper in detroit, michigan, u. One of dan gilberts four largest downtown projects is the restoration and renovation of book tower, the louis kamperdesigned skyscraper that was largely neglected for years. After years of sitting vacant, the landmark 38story tower and adjacent buildings will be transformed into an exciting mixeduse development. An unbuilt second tower of 81 stories was proposed on the south end of the complex, but was killed by the great depression. The book tower skyscraper is the latest big purchase from gilbert. Book tower renovation tour in detroit gives glimpse inside. The book tower is a 145 m 476 ft, 38story skyscraper located at 1265 washington boulevard in downtown detroit, michigan, within the washington boulevard historic district. The book building was completed in 1916, and the adjacent book tower a decade later in 1926.
Jennifer ross, architectural historian historic district commission 2 woodward ave. To submit more information or donate images for this project, please use our submission portal. From pricing to features, the professional leasing team is ready to help you find your new home. One of the major historical buildings that dotted the citys skyline since 1917, book tower with its neo classical and renaissance architectural styles is a tall beauty to behold.
The book tower in detroit, mi shot with a phantom 4 uas drone with a few still frames taken during the flight. At 38 stories high, the skyscraper looms over the detroit skyline. The book tower is one of detroit s most significant historic skyscrapers and the restoration brings the building back to its 1917 style. The book tower is a 145 m 476 ft, 38story skyscraper located at 1265 washington boulevard in downtown detroit, michigan, within the washington boulevard. Book tower restoration to feature hotel, retail, office space. Page 2 book tower, detroit north and south america. Deadline detroit could there be life in the book tower. Many detroiters have memories of working in the book tower, eating in restaurants there or shopping in the retail stores. Detroits historic book tower being restored to serve. Construction began on the italian renaissancestyle building in 1916 as an addition. At 475 feet tall, the book tower would lay claim to the title of tallest building in town. Click a dot to see more information about that building. Completed in 1926 by the legendary louis kamper, this italian renaissance building towers at 475 feetone of detroit s tallest and oldest skyscrapers. The book tower is a 475foot tall, thirtyeight story skyscraper located on washington boulevard in downtown detroit.
Contact us or stop in to discuss your new apartment. Currently under restoration, this 38story landmark will offer a boutique hotel, office space, ground floor retail, and private living. An iconic symbol of the citys glory years, book tower in detroit is being given a top to bottom restoration that promises to turn this onetime downtown office building into a mixeduse. The caryatids of book tower detroit, michigan atlas. Click a bar to see a list of all the buildings completed in that year. August 28, 2015 detroit bedrock real estate services today announced the acquisition of the historic 38story book tower, the attached story book building and an adjacent 2story community center in downtown detroit. This spring, that means a power washing for the first time in a very long time. Featuring two wings which were built in different years, this commercial structure is noted for its caryatid sculpture on its facade. Billionaire dan gilbert adds another skyscraper to his collection of downtown detroit buildings. Skyscrapercity world forums rate our talls rate our talls. It is unclear just how much vacant office space there is in the central business district, but there are a handful of skyscrapers that are currently completely empty and abandoned. Bedrock acquired the building in 2015 and theyve begun work on the exterior.
Overall, the skyline of detroit is ranked based upon existing and under construction buildings over 492 feet 150 m third in the midwestern united states. After financial troubles hit the city in the 1970s, the building was added to the national register of historic places in 1982, and has been abandoned since the last tenant left in 2009. A view a detailed profile of the structure 118554 including further data and descriptions in the emporis database. We peeked inside the tower and the adjacent book building to see whats to come. The building was the citys tallest upon its completion, but only until 1928 with the completion of the penobscot building. The book brothers, who had already made their mark on detroit s skyline with the book building, book tower, and book cadillac hotel, sought to further cement their legacy by building a grand monument. Bedrock acquires iconic book tower skyscraper, book.
Soaring at 38 floors, it was at one point the tallest in town. Historic detroit every building in detroit has a story were here to share it. Even the central business district in downtown detroit is not immune to abandonment. For starters, the book tower is two buildings put together the story book building, built in 1916, and the much taller 36story book tower, built in 1926. Click and drag your mouse cursor around an area to zoom into that area. One of the most anticipated renovations in the city has to be book tower, which has been vacant for years. Ross, kraemer design group, llc kdg is writing to the historic district commission regarding the buildings at 1249 and 1265 washington boulevard book building and book tower, respectively. Currently under restoration, this 38story landmark will offer a boutique hotel, office space, groundfloor retail and private living. See inside detroits book tower, dan gilberts newest. The book building, david broderick tower, and the lafayette building to name a few.
Passersby noted historic washington boulevard building s roof illuminated in light for the first time wednesday. Quicken loans founder buys detroits book tower skyscraper. Book tower old photos book tower and book building. People on the bedrock tour of the book tower walk around taking pictures from the 32nd floor of the historic building in downtown detroit, michigan on saturday, september 7, 2019. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Book tower completed in 1926 by the legendary louis kamper, this italian renaissance building towers at 475 feetone of detroits tallest and oldest skyscrapers. Discover the caryatids of book tower in detroit, michigan. For now, exterior restoration work is underway in what will be a detailed and painstaking process to bring the 38story book tower, which briefly was detroit s tallest building, back from the. The book tower is a classic example of italian renaissancestyle architecture in the heart of detroit. A view a detailed profile of the structure 275452 including further data and descriptions in the emporis database.