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A
Tour of the Historic Guardian Building
500 Griswold Street in Detroit, Michigan
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PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
The
Guardian Building, designated a National Historic Landmark on June
29, 1989, is a skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Today,
the building is owned by Wayne County, Michigan and serves as its
headquarters.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
At
the sound end of the main banking floor, a five-story mural featuring
allegorical references to Michigan industries dominate the room.
This masterwork is the creation of Ezra Winter.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
The
banking hall has one of the largest suspended ceilings in the world.
The lobby's vaulted ceiling is covered in vivid Rookwood tile laid
in diamond patterns.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
The
Guardian Building rises 486 feet high with 40 floors and was Detroit's
second tallest building when it opened. Almost
two million tangerine-colored bricks were used to construct the
building.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
A
distinctive feature of the Guardian Building is the use of a "notched
arch" design that architect Wirt Rowland used throughout
the building on windows, doorknobs, floor patterns and drinking
fountains.
PHOTO
BY GLORIA RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
The
grand archway into the banking hall is an elaborate grille of Monel
metal that contains an original Tiffany clock.
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