List of tallest buildings in Detroit

This list of tallest buildings in Detroit ranks skyscrapers and high rises in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan by height. The tallest skyscraper in Detroit is the 73-story Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, which rises 727 feet (222 m) along Detroit's International Riverfront.[A][1] It is the tallest building in the state of Michigan, the 97th-tallest building in the United States, and the second tallest hotel building in the Western Hemisphere.[1] Another famous skyscraper is Ally Detroit Center, which stands as the 2nd-tallest building in the city and the state.[2]

The skyline of Detroit in 2015

Detroit's history of skyscrapers began in 1889, with completion of the historic 10-story Hammond Building—considered the city's first steel-framed skyscraper.[3] It was followed by the Savings Bank Building in 1895, the Majestic Building in 1896, and the Union Trust Building in 1896. Detroit witnessed a massive building boom during the Roaring Twenties, resulting in the construction of many of the city's ornate skyscrapers, including the Penobscot, Guardian, Fisher, Buhl, Stott, and Broderick.[4]

One Woodward Avenue, which rises 430 feet (131 m), was the tallest building constructed in the city during the 1960s. Detroit is the site of eight skyscrapers at least 492 feet (150 m) in height and twenty-seven at least 327 feet (100 m) in height.[4] Overall, the skyline of Detroit is ranked (based upon existing and under construction buildings over 492 feet (150 m)) third in the Midwestern United States (after Chicago and Minneapolis) and fourteenth in the United States, after New York City, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Las Vegas, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.[B]

The most recently constructed skyscrapers in the city are One Detroit Center, completed in 1993, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, completed in 2009. The latter rises 348 feet (106 m) and contains 30 floors.[5] The city has received many significant restoration projects, which include the 29 story Westin Book Cadillac Hotel; originally built in 1924 and restored in 2008, it rises 349 feet (106 m).[6]

Tallest buildings

This list ranks Detroit skyscrapers that stand at least 300 feet (91 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. The "Year" column indicates the year a building was completed.

RankNameImageHeight
feet / m
FloorsArchitectYearNotes
01.01Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
727 / 22273[A]John Portman & Associates1977Tallest building in the city and the state since 1977, 101st-tallest building in the United States. Tallest hotel in the world upon completion; now stands as the second tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere. Major renovation completed in 2004.[1][7] The entire complex is owned by General Motors.
2Hudson's Detroit 685 / 20849SHoP Architects Hamilton Anderson Associates2024Tallest building completed in the 2020s.
3Ally Detroit Center 619 / 18943Philip Johnson

John Burgee

1993Tallest building completed in Detroit in the 1990s.[2][8] Former headquarters of Comerica Bank, current headquarters of Ally Financial
4Penobscot Building 565 / 17247Wirt C Rowland1928When completed in 1928, the Penobscot was the world's eighth tallest building. It was the city's tallest from 1928 to 1977.[9][10] The Penobscot stands at the center of the Detroit Financial District.
5
(tie)
RenCen Tower 100 522 / 15939John Portman & Associates1977[11][12]
RenCen Tower 200522 / 15939John Portman & Associates1977[13][14]
RenCen Tower 300522 / 15939John Portman & Associates1977[15][16]
RenCen Tower 400522 / 15939John Portman & Associates1977[17][18]
9Guardian Building 495 / 15140Wirt C Rowland1929[19][20]
10Book Tower 475 / 14538Louis Kamper1926The 38-story Book Tower and the adjoining 13-story Book Building underwent a nearly $400 million renovation, re-opening in 2023 as a mixed residential and retail/office space.[21]
11150 West Jefferson 455 / 13926Heller Manus Architects1989Tallest building completed in Detroit in the 1980s. Previously known as the Madden Building.[22][23]
11.012Fisher Building 444 / 13530Albert Kahn Associates1928[24][25]
12.013Cadillac Tower 438 / 13340Bonnah & Chaffee1927[26][27]
13.014David Stott Building
437 / 13338John M Donaldson1929[28][29]
14.015One Woodward Avenue 430 / 13128Minoru Yamasaki1963Tallest building completed in the city in the 1960s.[30][31]
15.016Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building 393 / 12027Smith, Hinchman & Grylls1976[32][33]
16.017DTE Energy Headquarters 375 / 11425Emery Roth & Sons1971[34][35]
17.018David Broderick Tower 369 / 11335Louis Kamper

Paul Kamper

1928Fully renovated in 2012 as a mixed- use residential building. The project created residential units on floors 5-34, with the lower 4 floors dedicated to retail, entertainment, and office space. Originally known as the Eaton Tower.[36][37]
18.019211 West Fort Street 368 / 11227Harley, Ellington, Cowin & Stirton1963[38][39]
20Buhl Building 366 / 11229Wirt C Rowland1925[40][41]
20.021Westin Book Cadillac Hotel 349 / 10629Louis Kamper1924Tallest hotel in the world upon completion in 1924 and restored in 2008.[6][42]
21.022Hollywood Casino at Greektown 348 / 10630Paul Steelman

Rossetti

2009Tallest building completed in Detroit in the 2000s.[5][43]
22.023First National Building 341 / 10426Albert Khan1930Tallest building completed in Detroit in the 1930s.[44][45]
23.024
(tie)
RenCen Tower 500 339 / 10321John Portman & Associates1981[46][47]
RenCen Tower 600339 / 10321John Portman & Associates1981[48][49]
25.0261001 Woodward 338 / 10323Smith, Hinchman & Grylls1965[50][51]
26.027Renaissance City Apartments 332 / 10133Ehrenkrantz, Echkstat & Whitelaw1985[52][53]
27.028AT&T Building Addition 327 / 10017H. G. Christman-Burke Company1974[54][55]
28.029Chrysler House 324 / 9923Daniel Hudson Burnham1912[56][57]
30Jeffersonian Apartments 322 / 9830Gino Rossetti1965[58][59]
30.031AT&T Building 319 / 9719Smith, Hinchman & Grylls1927[60][61]
31.032
(tie)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Building 318 / 97221971[62][63]
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 318 / 9720Harley, Ellington & Day1954Tallest building completed in the city in the 1950s.[64][65]
34Huntington Bank Tower
311 / 9520Neumann/Smith Architecture2022[1]
35Penobscot Building Annex 310 / 9523Donaldson & Meier1913[66][67]
34.036
(tie)
1300 Lafayette East Cooperative 305 / 9329Gunnar Birkerts1961[68][69]
Riverfront Tower 300 305 / 9329Kadushin1983[70][71]
Riverfront Tower 200305 / 9329Kadushin1983[72][73]
39The Residences Water Square
300 / 91252024[74][75]

Tallest buildings by pinnacle height

Downtown Detroit's Renaissance Center in 2014

This list ranks Detroit skyscrapers based on their pinnacle height, which includes radio masts and antennas. As architectural features and spires can be regarded as subjective, some skyscraper enthusiasts prefer this method of measurement. Standard architectural height measurement, which excludes antennas in building height, is included for comparative purposes.

RankNamePinnacle height
feet / m
Standard height
feet / m
Reference
1Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center755 / 230727 / 222[7]
2Penobscot Building664 / 202565 / 172[10]
3Guardian Building632 / 193495 / 151[20]
4One Detroit Center619 / 189619 / 189[8]
5Cadillac Tower578 / 176438 / 133[27]
6=Renaissance Center Tower 100522 / 159522 / 159[12]
6=Renaissance Center Tower 200522 / 159522 / 159[14]
6=Renaissance Center Tower 300522 / 159522 / 159[16]
6=Renaissance Center Tower 400522 / 159522 / 159[18]
10Fisher Building489 / 135444 / 135[25]

Tallest proposed or under construction

Tallest under construction

This lists high-rises and skyscrapers under construction or topped-out in Detroit that are expected to rise at least 200 feet (61 m).

RankNameImageHeight
feet / m
FloorsYearNotes
1Hudson's Site - Tower685 / 208 [76]492024Groundbreaking occurred on December 14, 2017.[77][78][79]
2Monroe Blocks - Office Tower536 / 163 ??35 ?2022 ?Groundbreaking occurred on December 13, 2018. As of May 2021, the project remains largely undeveloped and alternative uses are being planned for the site.[80]
3Monroe Blocks - Residential Tower335 / 102 ??20 ?2022 ?Groundbreaking occurred on December 13, 2018.[80]
4The Louis290 / 8824?Located on the site of the former Joe Louis Arena. Groundbreaking occurred in February 2022.[81]
5Hudson's Site - Block[citation needed]240 / 73142023Groundbreaking occurred on December 14, 2017.
6The Exchange [citation needed]209 / 64162022Groundbreaking occurred on March 1, 2021.

Timeline of tallest buildings

The Penobscot Building in 2007; it is the city's third tallest building and rises above the Detroit Financial District.

This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Detroit. For most of Detroit's earlier years, the tallest buildings in the city were churches and government buildings with their steeples. The first skyscraper in the city is usually considered the Hammond Building, completed in 1889.[3] However, since the 10-story building did not surpass the steeple of the Fort Street Presbyterian Church, it never became a city record holder. The first skyscraper to have the distinction of being Detroit's tallest building was the Ford Building, completed in 1909.[82]

NameStreet addressYears as tallestHeight
feet / m
FloorsReference
First Michigan State Capitol[C]Capitol Park1828–1866140 / 432[83]
Most Holy Trinity Church1050 Porter Street1866–1871170 / 521[84]
Former Detroit City Hall[D][E]Campus Martius Park1871–1877200 / 614[85]
St. Joseph Church[E]1828 Jay Street1873–1877200 / 611[86]
Fort Street Presbyterian Church631 West Fort Street1877–1909265 / 811[87]
Ford Building615 Griswold Street1909–1913275 / 8419[82]
Penobscot Building Annex144 West Congress Street1913310 / 9523[67]
Chrysler House719 Griswold Street1913–1924324 / 9923[57]
Book Cadillac Hotel[F]220 Michigan Avenue1924–1925349 / 10629[6]
Buhl Building535 Griswold Street1925–1926366 / 11229[41]
Book Tower1265 Washington Boulevard1926–1928475 / 14538[88]
Penobscot Building633 Griswold Street1928–1977565 / 17247[10]
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center1 Renaissance Center Drive1977–present727 / 22273[A][7]

Tallest buildings in Detroit's suburban cities

This list ranks buildings in Detroit's suburban municipalities that stand at least 200 feet (61 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. Existing structures are included for ranking purposes based on present height.

RankNameImageLocationHeight
feet / m
FloorsYearNotes
13000 Town Center Southfield402 / 122321975The 15th tallest skyscraper in Metro Detroit.[89]
21000 Town Center Southfield395 / 120281989[89]
32000 Town Center Southfield370 / 113281986[89]
4PNC Center Troy346 / 106251974Tallest building in Troy.
5American Center Southfield331 / 101261975[89]
65000 Town Center Southfield328 / 100331983A residential skyscraper[89]
74000 Town Center Southfield270 / 82201979[89]
8Tower Plaza Ann Arbor267 / 82261969A residential high-rise, Tower Plaza is Ann Arbor's tallest building.[90]
9Shore Club Skytower St. Clair Shores260 / 79261965Tallest building in St Clair Shores and Macomb County.[91]
10Travelers Tower I Southfield256 / 78181971[89]
11One Towne Square Southfield253 / 77211992[89]
12Chrysler Headquarters Auburn Hills249 / 76151996
13St. Florian Catholic Church Hamtramck247 / 7511928Tallest building in Wayne County outside of Detroit.
14Mott Foundation Building Flint226 / 69191930[92] Tallest building in Flint.
15Macomb County Building Mount Clemens219 / 67131944Tallest building in Mount Clemens.
16=Park Lane Towers West Dearborn213 / 65151973Tallest building in Dearborn.[93]
16=Park Lane Towers EastDearborn213 / 65151971[93]
16=Edward Hotel Dearborn213 / 65141976[93]
19Burton Memorial Tower Ann Arbor212 / 65101936[90]
20The Centennial Troy207 / 63161983[94]
21University Towers Ann Arbor205 / 62191960[90]
22Southfield Centre Southfield201 / 61141976[89]
23Southgate Tower Southgate200 / 61131973Tallest building in Downriver and the tallest building between Detroit and Toledo, Ohio. Being redeveloped into apartments as of 2024.

Notes

A. ^ a b c General Motors, the owner of the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, maintains that the building has 73 floors.[95] Hines Interests, the property management firm for the building, gives a floor count of 74,[96] while architect Skidmore, Owings and Merrill gives a floor count of 75.[97] Emporis and other building database sites usually give the floor count as 70,[1][98] while other sources state 73 stories.[99] This table uses the floor count of 73 as stated officially by the building's owner.
B. ^ New York has 216 existing and under construction buildings over 492 feet (150 m), Chicago has 114, Miami has 32, Houston has 31, Los Angeles has 26, Dallas has 20, San Francisco has 21, Atlanta has 19, Boston has 19, Las Vegas has 16, Seattle has 15, Philadelphia has 15, Minneapolis has 11, Pittsburgh has 10, Jersey City has 9, Detroit has 8, Denver has 7. Source of Skyline ranking information: SkyscraperPage.com diagrams: New York City, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Las Vegas, Seattle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Jersey City, Minneapolis, Detroit, Denver.
C. ^ The capitol of Michigan was relocated to Lansing in 1847, and the original capitol building was destroyed in a fire in 1893.
D. ^ This building was destroyed in 1961.
E. ^ a b St. Joseph Church, completed in 1873, tied the height of the Detroit City Hall. The city therefore had two tallest buildings for a period of 4 years, until the Fort Street Presbyterian Church was completed in 1877.
F. ^ This building was constructed as the Book-Cadillac Hotel, but is now officially known as the Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel.

References

General
  • "Detroit". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
Specific

External links