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Building, Detroit

First Federal Building

No demolition on record

A drawing of First Federal Building from its recorded size and style. No photo we may share has turned up yet.

The First Federal Building has stood on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

First Federal Building today, from the street

First Federal Building from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026

What is there now

Under renovation

Building permits at this address

15 permits since November 2024

$4.1 million in declared work (7 of 15 name a figure) Newest: Alteration permit, August 26, 2025

  1. Alteration permit

    Alterations to an existing Fire Alarm in the common areas of the 1st, 8th, 9th, & 11th Floors to Code per... Read all

    Alterations to an existing Fire Alarm in the common areas of the 1st, 8th, 9th, & 11th Floors to Code per plans. Subject

    $3,000

  2. Alter revision permit

    Revision to BLD2025-00101 to Code per plans. (Interior alterations to the 1st, 8th, 9th & 11th floors as... Read all

    Revision to BLD2025-00101 to Code per plans. (Interior alterations to the 1st, 8th, 9th & 11th floors as per plans.) Sub

    $1 million

  3. Elevator permit

    City# 8218 cvd20632/z73530 new cab panels and ceiling.

  4. Elevator permit

    City# 8212 cvd20632/z73534 new cab panels and ceiling.

  5. Elevator permit

    City# 8213 cvd20632/z73535 new cab panels and ceiling.

  6. Elevator permit

    City# 8214 cvd20632/z73523 new cab panels and ceiling.

  7. Fire alarm permit

    Office refresh 21st fl FA

  8. Alteration permit

    Interior alterations to the 1st, 8th, 9th & 11th floors as per plans. Subject to field approval.

    $1 million

  9. Electrical permit

    1001 16th Fl Lighting refresh 0-24104

  10. Alteration permit

    Alterations to existing Fire Alarm on the 19th Floor to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval.

    $3,500

  11. Other permit

    Interior alterations/repairs as per plans.

    $2.1 million

  12. Alteration permit

    Modifications to existing Fire Alarm System per plans. (Subject to Field Approval.)

    $4,000

  13. Alteration permit

    Modifications to existing Fire Alarm System per plans. (Subject to Field Approval.)

    $2,600

  14. Fire alarm permit

    1001 19th floor lighting refresh

  15. Electrical permit

    1001 19th floor lighting refresh 0-24104

Source: City and county building permits

We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

The First Federal Building is one of the places that gives Detroit its character.

It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Next time you are nearby, stop at 1001 Woodward Avenue and look up.

Timeline

  1. 2013 Listed on the National Register December 11, 2013
  2. 2024 3 building permits $2,600 in declared work, the latest December 3
  3. 2025 12 building permits $4.1 million in declared work, the latest August 26

Where it is

1001 Woodward Avenue

On this map

  1. First Federal Building This place
  2. 1001 Woodward 80 ft
  3. Wayne County & Home Savings Bank 140 ft
  4. B. Siegel 180 ft
  5. Majestic Building 230 ft
  6. Old City Hall 230 ft
  7. Garrick Theatre 250 ft
  8. Detroit Opera House (first) 280 ft
  9. John J. Bagley Bust 280 ft

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

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. First Federal Building from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026

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.