Building, Detroit, since 1901
Stevens Building
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1901
- Style
- Neo-classicism
- Standing
- 125 years
Designed by Donaldson & Meier
The Stevens Building has stood on Washington Blvd. in Detroit since 1901, 125 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
What is there now
Under renovation
- Alteration permit Per HDC2025-00029, Remove & replace Windows with new Bi-Folding Windows to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval, HD, estimated at $15,000 Source: City and county building permits
- Standing and open Source: Historic Detroit
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026.
The story
In 1901, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, the Stevens Building opened.
The design came from Donaldson & Meier, working in Neo-classicism.
It still stands and still opens its doors.
Go see it at 1258 Washington Blvd. Photos never get the scale right.
Timeline
- 1901 Built Designed by Donaldson & Meier
- 2025 Alteration permit August 22, 2025
- 2026 Today Under renovation
Where it is
1258 Washington Blvd.
On this map
- 1 Stevens Building This place
- 2 Griswold Hotel 110 ft
- 3 Capitol Square Building 120 ft
- 4 Farwell Building 140 ft
- 5 Chancery Building 170 ft
- 6 Washington Boulevard Historic District 180 ft
- 7 Louis Kamper Apartments 210 ft
- 8 Bennett Building 260 ft
- 9 Bowles Building 270 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Donaldson & MeierAmerican architectural firm, founded 1882. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 58 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Donaldson & Meier
More from Detroit in the 1900s
-
![Eastern States, [Str. Eastern States, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4436-2275-thumb-5717c27eed.jpg)
Eastern States
Ship, built 1902, by Louis Keil, demolished 1956
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Bonstelle Theatre
Theater, built 1903, Beaux Arts, by Mason & Kahn
Photo: Saul Vielmetti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Building, built 1904, Neoclassical, by Albert Kahn
Photo: PDru2014 from Detroit, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Belle Isle Aquarium, [The Aquarium and conservatory, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4284-2164-thumb-099cdc24f0.jpg)
Belle Isle Aquarium
Building, built 1904, Baroque-Beaux Arts, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Building, built 1904, Late Victorian, by Field, Hinchman & Smith
Photo: Jackdude101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Breitmeyer-Tobin Building
Building, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by Raseman & Fisher
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
-
![Griswold Hotel, Griswold Hotel [lobby, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4523-2324-thumb-15fabace68.jpg)
Griswold Hotel
Hotel, built 1868, demolished 1961
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
110 ft
- Capitol Square Building Building, built 1897, Classical Revival, by William C. Rohns 120 ft
-
Farwell Building
Building, built 1915, Chicago School, by Harrie W. Bonnah
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
140 ft
- Chancery Building Building, built 1924, Romanesque-Italian Renaissance, by Donaldson & Meier 170 ft
-
Washington Boulevard Historic District
Historic district
Photo: Mike Russell at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
180 ft
- Louis Kamper Apartments Building, built 1926, Art Moderne, by Louis Kamper 210 ft
- Bennett Building Building, built 1895, by Bonnah & Chaffee 260 ft
- Bowles Building Building, built 1887, Romanesque Revival, by Mason & Rice, demolished 1965 270 ft
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.