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Building, Detroit, since 1928

Water Board Building

Still standing, photographed 2024

Built in 1928, this Art Deco-style 23-story building was designed by Louis Kamper to house various Detroit city..., 2024 Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1928
Style
Art Moderne
Standing
98 years

Designed by Louis Kamper

The Water Board Building has stood on Randolph St. in Detroit since 1928, 98 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of Water Board Building

The Water Board building, view from the third floor of One Kennedy Square, 2018 Photo: Gregory C. Bachleda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cadillac Tower (right) and Water Board Building in Detroit, 2022 Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Water Board Building in Detroit, 2022 Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Under renovation

  • Alteration permit Per HDC2025-00557, exterior alterations to Code per plans. Subject to Field Approval, HDC Certificate of Appropriateness, estimated at $768,746 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

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

In 1928, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, the Water Board Building opened.

The design came from Louis Kamper, in the Art Moderne style.

The city protects it as part of Water Board Building.

It still stands and still opens its doors.

Next time you are nearby, stop at 735 Randolph St and look up.

Timeline

  1. 1928 Built Designed by Louis Kamper
  2. 2002 Protected by the city Water Board Building
  3. 2026 Alteration permit June 22, 2026
  4. 2026 Today Under renovation

Where it is

735 Randolph St.

On this map

  1. Water Board Building This place
  2. Detroit Police Headquarters (old) 120 ft
  3. Pochelon Building 130 ft
  4. Liberty Theatre 180 ft
  5. National Theatre 220 ft
  6. Hilsendegen Block 240 ft
  7. St. John’s German Evangelical Church 260 ft
  8. Palace Theatre 260 ft
  9. Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings 330 ft

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

What stood here before

Who made it

Col. Frank J. Hecker House, by Louis Kamper Col. Frank J. Hecker House, by Louis Kamper. Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Louis Kamper

American architect, 1861 to 1953. Designed the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel (1924) and 37 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Louis Kamper

More from Detroit in the 1920s

Around the block

Photo credits

Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.

  1. Built in 1928, this Art Deco-style 23-story building was designed by Louis Kamper to house various Detroit city..., 2024 Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. The Water Board building, view from the third floor of One Kennedy Square, 2018 Photo: Gregory C. Bachleda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. The Cadillac Tower (right) and Water Board Building in Detroit, 2022 Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. The Water Board Building in Detroit, 2022 Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. self made, 2007 Photo: Mikerussell at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  6. self made, 2007 Photo: The original uploader was Mikerussell at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, 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.