Building, Detroit, since 1926
The Belle
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1926
- Style
- Beaux Arts and Neoclassicism
- Standing
- 100 years
Designed by George D. Mason
The Belle has stood on Broadway in Detroit since 1926, 100 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
The Belle today, from the street
What is there now
Standing and open
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
The Belle opened in 1926, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top.
George D. Mason drew the plans, working in Beaux Arts and Neoclassicism.
It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.
Go see it at 1342-1346 Broadway. Photos never get the scale right.
Timeline
- 1926 Built Designed by George D. Mason
- 2026 Today 100 years and still standing
Where it is
1342-1346 Broadway
On this map
- 1 The Belle This place
- 2 Broadway Avenue Historic District 90 ft
- 3 Breitmeyer-Tobin Building 170 ft
- 4 Merchants Building 200 ft
- 5 Hemmeter Building 220 ft
- 6 Broadway Market 230 ft
- 7 Lafer Brothers Building 240 ft
- 8 1307 Broadway 260 ft
- 9 Cary Building 280 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
George D. MasonAmerican architect, 1856 to 1948. Designed the Lincoln Motor Company Plant (1917) and 39 more in Metro Detroit
Also by George D. Mason
- Ransom Gillis House 1876
- Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church 1883
- Marine City City Hall 1884
- Thompson Home 1884
- Engine House No. 18 1892
- Trinity Episcopal Church 1893
More from Detroit in the 1920s
-
Belcrest Apartments
Building, built 1926, Neo-Romanesque, by Charles N. Agree
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Buhl Building
Skyscraper, built 1925, Neo-Romanesque, by Wirt C. Rowland
Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cadillac Tower
Structure, built 1927, Late Gothic Revival, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Chateau Frontenac
Building, built 1925, Mediterranean, by J. Will Wilson, demolished 1999
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Hotel, built 1924, Neo-Renaissance, by Louis Kamper
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
-
Broadway Avenue Historic District
Historic district
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
90 ft
-
Breitmeyer-Tobin Building
Building, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by Raseman & Fisher
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
170 ft
-
Merchants Building
Building, built 1922, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
200 ft
- Hemmeter Building Building, built 1911, Neoclassical, by Richard E. Raseman 220 ft
-
![Broadway Market, [Edw. Neumann, Broadway Market, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4310-2194-thumb-42e52f2f8b.jpg)
Broadway Market
Building, built 1912, Beaux Arts, by Harry C. Stevens, demolished 1967
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
230 ft
- Lafer Brothers Building Building, built 1916, by Joseph E. Mills 240 ft
- 1307 Broadway Building, built 1908, Classical, by Gustave Mueller 260 ft
-
Cary Building
Building, built 1906, Beaux Arts, by Richard E. Raseman
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
280 ft
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- The Belle from the street today Photo: Street View, 2024
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.