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Structure, Midtown, since 1966

Professional Plaza Tower

Still standing, photographed 2024

Professional Plaza Tower, in Detroit, MI. Woodward Avenue, 2016 Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1966
Style
International Style
Standing
60 years

The Professional Plaza Tower has stood on Woodward Avenue in Midtown since 1966, 60 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of Professional Plaza Tower

Built in 1964-1966, this Modern International-style building was designed by Crane and Gorwic as part of the Detroit..., 2024 Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Built in 1964-1966, this Modern International-style building was designed by Crane and Gorwic as part of the Detroit..., 2024 Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Under renovation

  • Alteration permit Modifications to existing Telecom Facility per plans. (Subject to Field Approval.), estimated at $20,000 Source: City and county building permits
  • Change Of Occupancy/use permit Change of Occupancy/Use (1st floor Bar/2-12 Hotel) in an existing 94,436 sq. ft. building as per plans. Subject to Field, estimated at $2,251,000 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 1966, during the decades Detroit spent remaking its downtown, the Professional Plaza Tower opened in Midtown.

It was built in the International Style style, and it still reads that way from the sidewalk.

It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

Next time you are nearby, stop at 3800 Woodward Avenue and look up.

The Professional Plaza Tower, also known as the 'Hammer and Nail' building due to its two iconic illuminated signs (now removed), is a high-rise building located at 3800 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Timeline

  1. 1966 Built International Style
  2. 2016 Listed on the National Register April 19, 2016
  3. 2025 Alteration permit April 21, 2025
  4. 2026 Change Of Occupancy/use permit September 3, 2026
  5. 2026 Today Under renovation

Where it is

3800 Woodward Avenue

On this map

  1. Professional Plaza Tower This place
  2. The Plaza Next door
  3. Graystone Ballroom 170 ft
  4. Orchestra Hall 250 ft
  5. Wells W. Leggett House 440 ft
  6. Gotham Hotel 450 ft
  7. Chapel of St. Therese, the Little Flower 470 ft
  8. Chapel of Saint Theresa, the Little Flower 490 ft
  9. Milaflores Apartments 0.1 mi

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

More from Detroit in the 1960s

Around the block

It is in Midtown. 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. Professional Plaza Tower, in Detroit, MI. Woodward Avenue, 2016 Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Built in 1964-1966, this Modern International-style building was designed by Crane and Gorwic as part of the Detroit..., 2024 Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Built in 1964-1966, this Modern International-style building was designed by Crane and Gorwic as part of the Detroit..., 2024 Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, 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.