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Building, Wayne State, since 1927

Maccabees Building

Still standing, photographed 2021

Macabees Building Detroit, former headquarters of Detroit Public Schools, 2010 Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1927
Style
Art Deco
Standing
99 years

Designed by Albert Kahn

The Maccabees Building has stood on Woodward Ave. in Wayne State since 1927, 99 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of Maccabees Building

The Maccabees Building in Detroit, Michigan (United States), 2021 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The exterior of the Maccabees Building in Detroit, Michigan (United States), 2015 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Maccabees Building detail, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 2011 Photo: Daderot, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Standing and open

  • Elevator permit CITY# 488 MACHINE, CONTROLLER,SAFETIES, DOORS (PANELS,PICKUPS AND INTERLOCKS), DOOR OPERATOR, CAB, FIXTURES, NEW COMP RO Source: City and county building permits

We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

In 1927, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, the Maccabees Building opened in Wayne State.

Albert Kahn drew the plans, in the Art Deco style.

The National Register of Historic Places listed it in 1983.

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

Next time you are nearby, stop at 5057 Woodward Ave and look up.

The Maccabees Building (sometimes called Wayne Tower) is a historic building located at 5057 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and is currently owned by Wayne State University.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Timeline

  1. 1927 Built Designed by Albert Kahn
  2. 1983 Listed on the National Register July 7, 1983
  3. 2026 Elevator permit April 7, 2026
  4. 2026 Today 99 years and still standing

Where it is

5057 Woodward Ave.

On this map

  1. Maccabees Building This place
  2. Temple of the Maccabees 90 ft
  3. Samuel L. Smith House 110 ft
  4. Mackenzie Hall (Webster Hall) 430 ft
  5. Cultural Center Historic District 500 ft
  6. Detroit Public Library 510 ft
  7. Detroit Public Library Main Branch 0.1 mi
  8. Williams C. Rands House 0.1 mi
  9. Cathedral Church of St. Paul 0.1 mi

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

What stood here before

Who made it

Albert Kahn
Photo: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Albert Kahn

American architect, 1869 to 1942. Designed the General Motors Building (1922) and 114 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Albert Kahn

More from Detroit in the 1920s

Around the block

It is in Wayne State. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.

Photo credits

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

  1. Macabees Building Detroit, former headquarters of Detroit Public Schools, 2010 Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. The Maccabees Building in Detroit, Michigan (United States), 2021 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. The exterior of the Maccabees Building in Detroit, Michigan (United States), 2015 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Maccabees Building detail, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 2011 Photo: Daderot, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Maccabees Building detail, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 2011 Photo: Daderot, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  6. Maccabees Building detail, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 2011 Photo: Daderot, public domain, 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.