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Skyscraper, Detroit, since 1929

David Stott Building

Still standing, photographed 2021

The David Stott Building, the 13th-tallest building in the city of Detroit, Michigan, 2007 Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvara aka Carptrash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1929
Tall
437 ft
Floors
38
Style
Art Deco

Designed by Donaldson & Meier, John Donaldson and John M. Donaldson

The David Stott Building has risen over Griswold St. in Detroit since 1929, 97 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of David Stott Building

David_Stott_Building_detroit.JPG, 2007 Photo: Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hart Plaza at the Detroit International Riverfront, 2007 Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
David Stott Building, Detroit, Corrado Parducci, sculptor, 2007 Photo: Carptrash at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Standing and open

We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 24, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

In 1929, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, the David Stott Building opened.

Credit the design to John Donaldson, John M. Donaldson, and Donaldson & Meier, in the Art Deco style.

It rises 437 feet over 38 floors.

It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.

Next time you are nearby, stop at 1150 Griswold St and look up.

Timeline

  1. 1929 Built Designed by Donaldson & Meier, John Donaldson, and John M. Donaldson
  2. 2010 Closed
  3. 2026 Today 97 years and still standing

Where it is

1150 Griswold St.

On this map

  1. David Stott Building This place
  2. United Savings Bank Building 100 ft
  3. Stevens T. Mason Monument 130 ft
  4. Garrick Theatre 150 ft
  5. Wayne County & Home Savings Bank 180 ft
  6. B. Siegel 180 ft
  7. Capitol Park Historic District 210 ft
  8. Kresge Building 220 ft
  9. Capitol Park Building 240 ft

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

What stood here before

Who made it

Donaldson & Meier
Photo: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Donaldson & Meier

American architectural firm, founded 1882. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 58 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Donaldson & Meier

Ste. Claire Hotel, by John Donaldson Ste. Claire Hotel, by John Donaldson. Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress

Architect

John Donaldson

Architect. Designed the David Stott Building (1929) and 3 more in Metro Detroit

Also by John Donaldson

John M. Donaldson
Photo: Michigan Art Company, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

John M. Donaldson

American architect. Designed the David Stott Building (1929)

More from Detroit in the 1920s

Around the block

Photo credits

Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.

  1. The David Stott Building, the 13th-tallest building in the city of Detroit, Michigan, 2007 Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvara aka Carptrash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. David_Stott_Building_detroit.JPG, 2007 Photo: Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Hart Plaza at the Detroit International Riverfront, 2007 Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. David Stott Building, Detroit, Corrado Parducci, sculptor, 2007 Photo: Carptrash at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Detail of adornments, and detailing on the tiered roof of the David Stott Building, Downtown Detroit, Mi, 2021 Photo: JakeSmallz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  6. Washington Blvd., Detroit, Michigan. Washington Boulevard Historic District, 2008 Photo: [2], CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources

Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.