Building, Detroit, since 1959
The Qube
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1959
- Standing
- 67 years
Designed by Albert Kahn Associates
The Qube has stood on Woodward Ave in Detroit since 1959, 67 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 Interior alterations (install new stair well).as per plans. Subject to field approval., estimated at $575,000 Source: City and county building permits
- Alteration permit Per HDC2026-00122, remove and replace North entrance Revolving/Entry Doors & adjacent Flooring to Code per plans. Subjec, estimated at $300,000 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 1959, at the height of Detroit's postwar prosperity, The Qube opened.
Credit the design to Albert Kahn Associates.
It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 611 Woodward Ave and look up.
Timeline
- 1959 Built Designed by Albert Kahn Associates
- 2025 Alteration permit May 2, 2025
- 2026 Alteration permit April 18, 2026
- 2026 Today Under renovation
Where it is
611 Woodward Ave
On this map
- 1 The Qube This place
- 2 Union Trust Co. Building 160 ft
- 3 Detroit Stock Exchange Building 180 ft
- 4 Hammond Building 190 ft
- 5 Penobscot Building (Greater) 200 ft
- 6 Penobscot Building 260 ft
- 7 Ford Building 270 ft
- 8 Metropole Building 270 ft
- 9 Foran's Grand Trunk Pub 300 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Fisher Building, by Albert Kahn Associates. Photo: KovacsDaniel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Architect
Albert Kahn AssociatesAmerican architectural firm, 1869 to 1942. Designed the Fisher Building (1928) and The Qube
Also by Albert Kahn Associates
- Fisher Building 1928
More from Detroit in the 1950s
-
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Park, built 1960, by William Kapp
Photo: PDru2014 from Detroit, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Huntington Place
Building, built 1960, Mid-Century Modern, by Louis Rossetti
Photo: Stilfehler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
McGregor Memorial Conference Center
Monument, built 1958, International Style
Photo: © Matt Joseph / https://mattj.io, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
WGPR-TV Studio
Building, built 1961
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Ford Auditorium
Building, built 1956, International Style, by Crane, Kiehler & Kellogg, demolished 2011
Photo: Goldnpuppy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
WJBK-TV Studios Building
Building, built 1956, Georgian Revival, by John L. Volk
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
- Union Trust Co. Building Building, built 1896, by Donaldson & Meier, demolished 1957 160 ft
- Detroit Stock Exchange Building Building, built 1931, Art Deco, by George F. Diehl, demolished 1983 180 ft
- Hammond Building Building, built 1889, Romanesque, by George Edbrooke, demolished 1956 190 ft
- Penobscot Building (Greater) Building, built 1928, Art Deco, by Wirt C. Rowland 200 ft
-
Penobscot Building
Skyscraper, built 1928, Art Deco, by Wirt C. Rowland
Photo: WMrapids, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
260 ft
- Ford Building Building, built 1908, Chicago School, by Daniel H. Burnham 270 ft
- Metropole Building Building, built 1881, by Richard E. Raseman 270 ft
- Foran's Grand Trunk Pub Building, built 1879 300 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.