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Skyscraper, Detroit, since 1929

Guardian Building

Still standing, photographed 2025

The Guardian Building in Detroit, Michigan, 2025 Photo: WMrapids, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1929
Style
Art Deco
Standing
97 years

Designed by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and Wirt C. Rowland

The Guardian Building has risen over Griswold Ave. 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

On the Detroit skyline

Guardian Building Seen from the Windsor riverfront, it stands between the Penobscot Building and the Ally Detroit Center, under Detroit's sky right now.

The other towers

A short walk away

More photos of Guardian Building

Zoomed in image of the Guardian Building's tall spire, 2020 Photo: Coreyfein01, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zoomed Image of the Guardian Building's short spire, 2020 Photo: Coreyfein01, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Guardian Building, Detroit MI, 2007 Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Under renovation

  • Standing and open Source: Historic Detroit

Building permits at this address

6 permits since November 2024

$135,600 in declared work (2 of 6 name a figure) Newest: Electrical permit, May 13, 2026

  1. Electrical permit

    A separate electrical permit was obtained for the electrical work done in the suite. This permit was pulled... Read all

    A separate electrical permit was obtained for the electrical work done in the suite. This permit was pulled to pulled fo

  2. Electrical permit

    Tenant is creating four new offices in an open area. We are adding receptacles and light fixtures to the... Read all

    Tenant is creating four new offices in an open area. We are adding receptacles and light fixtures to the offices using t

  3. Alteration permit

    Interior alterations (20th floor) per provided plans and documents. (Subject to field approval.)

    $123,600

  4. Alteration permit

    Interior alterations on the 17th Floor to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval.

    $12,000

  5. Elevator permit

    Elevator # 4-CITY# 9124-2500-9 MODERNIZATION Stand alone fire service No sprinkler

  6. Elevator permit

    City# 9123 modernization

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

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

Wirt C. Rowland and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls drew the plans, working in Art Deco.

The federal government named it a National Historic Landmark in 1989, a status only a few thousand places in the country hold.

It still stands and still opens its doors.

Go see it at 500 Griswold Ave. Photos never get the scale right.

The Guardian Building is a landmark 43-story office skyscraper in the Financial District of downtown Detroit, Michigan. Built from 1928 to 1929, the building was originally called the Union Trust Building and is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including art moderne designs. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, and is currently owned by Wayne County.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Timeline

  1. 1929 Built Designed by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and Wirt C. Rowland
  2. 1989 Listed on the National Register June 29, 1989
  3. 1989 Named a National Historic Landmark June 29, 1989
  4. 2024 2 building permits The latest November 13
  5. 2026 4 building permits $135,600 in declared work, the latest May 13
  6. 2026 Today Under renovation

Where it is

500 Griswold Ave.

On this map

  1. Guardian Building This place
  2. Newberry & McMillan Building 220 ft
  3. One Woodward Avenue 220 ft
  4. Citizens Building 220 ft
  5. Buhl Building 240 ft
  6. Norton Hotel (second) 240 ft
  7. Union Trust Co. Building 260 ft
  8. Ford Building 280 ft
  9. Ally Detroit Center 330 ft

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

Who made it

Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

American architectural and engineering company, founded 1853. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 68 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

Wirt C. Rowland
Photo: Notorious4life (Uploads), CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Wirt C. Rowland

American architect, 1878 to 1946. Designed the Guardian Building (1929) and 11 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Wirt C. Rowland

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 Guardian Building in Detroit, Michigan, 2025 Photo: WMrapids, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Zoomed in image of the Guardian Building's tall spire, 2020 Photo: Coreyfein01, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Zoomed Image of the Guardian Building's short spire, 2020 Photo: Coreyfein01, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Guardian Building, Detroit MI, 2007 Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Guardian Building, Detroit, Michigan, United States. Interior picture. Clock, 2013 Photo: Vincent Arel, 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.