Building, Detroit, since 1934
Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1934
- Style
- Art Deco
- Standing
- 92 years
Designed by Branson V. Gamber, Derrick & Gamber and Robert O. Derrick
Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse has stood on W. Lafayette Blvd. in Detroit since 1934, 92 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
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
In 1934, through the Depression years, when every new building in Detroit was a statement of faith, Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse opened.
Branson V. Gamber, Robert O. Derrick, and Derrick & Gamber drew the plans, in the Art Deco style.
It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.
Go see it at 231 W. Lafayette Blvd. Photos never get the scale right.
Timeline
- 1934 Built Designed by Branson V. Gamber, Derrick & Gamber, and Robert O. Derrick
- 2026 Today 92 years and still standing
Where it is
231 W. Lafayette Blvd.
On this map
- 1 Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse This place
- 2 U.S. Post Office, Court House, and Custom House Next door
- 3 Lafayette Building 180 ft
- 4 Shubert-Lafayette Theatre 190 ft
- 5 Owen Building 260 ft
- 6 Recreation Building 260 ft
- 7 Cass Theatre 270 ft
- 8 Federal Reserve Bank 300 ft
- 9 211 West Fort Street 310 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Branson V. GamberArchitect, 1893 to 1949. Designed Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse (1934)
Architect
Robert O. DerrickArchitect, 1890 to 1961. Designed Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse (1934) and Hannan Memorial YMCA
Also by Robert O. Derrick
- Hannan Memorial YMCA 1928
More from Detroit in the 1930s
-
Alger Theater
Theater, built 1935, Art Moderne
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Brewster-Douglass Projects
Building, built 1938, demolished 2013
Photo: Albert duce, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Brodhead Naval Armory
Building, built 1930, Art Deco/Art Moderne, by Stratton & Hyde
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Denby High School
School, built 1930, Art Deco, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Ambassador Bridge
Structure, built 1929, by Jonathan Jones
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
David Stott Building
Skyscraper, built 1929, Art Deco, by John Donaldson
Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvara aka Carptrash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
-
U.S. Post Office, Court House, and Custom House
Building, built 1934, Moderne
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Next door
- Lafayette Building Building, built 1925, Italian Renaissance, by C. Howard Crane, demolished 2009 180 ft
- Shubert-Lafayette Theatre Theater, built 1914, Italian Renaissance, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, demolished 1964 190 ft
- Owen Building Building, built 1907, by Albert Kahn, demolished 1957 260 ft
- Recreation Building Building, built 1917, Italian Renaissance, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, demolished 1964 260 ft
- Cass Theatre Theater, built 1927, Italian Renaissance, by John Donaldson, demolished 1977 270 ft
-
Federal Reserve Bank
Building, built 1927, Classical Revival, by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
Photo: 42-BRT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
300 ft
-
211 West Fort Street
Skyscraper, built 1963
Photo: Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
310 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.