Detroit's Guardian Building is a Historical Landmark and Possibly the Most Striking Art Deco Skyscraper in the World

Guardian Building | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Detroit Michigan is home to stunning museums, architectural marvels, cutting edge restaurants, casinos and theaters.  

See our main Detroit page for our full listing of fantastic things to see in Detroit all year round.

Guardian Building

Detroit's Guardian Building Will Blow Your Mind!

Did you know the Guardian Building features an incredible Art Deco Lobby?  In fact, it is one of the most significant and striking Art Deco skyscrapers in the world.

Construction of this historic building began in 1928 and was finished in 1929.  It was originally the Union Trust Building and is now an office building owned by Wayne County, Michigan.  It serves as its headquarters. 

The building is open to the public so check it out!  The Guardian Building does not fail to impress!

Once You Come Inside...

Guardian Building

500 Griswold Street, Detroit, Michigan

Once you are inside, everything from the elevator banks to the soaring vault ceiling is a feast for your eyes. Bold geometric patterns of blue, green, and red mosaics cover the walls and floor.  Many of the tiles were created at Pewabic, a local pottery company and was designed to mimic Aztec and American Indian patterns.

Be sure to see the incredible state of Michigan mural on one of the far walls. Notice all the gilded details and homages to the state’s natural resources. You will see bold examples of Art Deco architecture everywhere within the Guardian Building!

Definitely one of my favorite things to see in Detroit!  

Did You Know the Guardian Building is a National Historic Landmark?

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989 and the associated Detroit Financial District is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

During World War II, the Guardian Building served as the U.S. Army Command Center for war time production.

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Detroit's Guardian Building

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When we were wandering around Belle Isle, I discovered this very cool round abandoned structure. I was reading that it used to be a zoo on Belle Isle in Detroit! You can still see the gates to get into the zoo, some cages and exhibits but it now stands abandoned. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In 1947, the Belle Isle Zoo was downsized to a children’s zoo and finally closed in 2002. Bummer, huh!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #deservetopreserve #abandoned #abandonedzoo #belleisle #belleislepark #detroit #abandoneddetroit #photooftheday #michigan #michigander #michiganphotographer #detroitmi #detroitmichigan #motorcity #detroitcity #detroitdecay #detroit_igers #detroitlove #forgottenplaces #beautyindecay #urbanexploration #urbanexplorers #explore #michiganaddict #detroitgraphiti #urbanexplore #abandonedplaces #beautyindecay #deserve2preserve

A post shared by Michigan Travel+Food Adventure (@travelingmichigan) on Sep 16, 2019 at 5:15am PDT

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About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Click to Read More About Sherry

Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

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