Have you ever felt the weight of history beneath your feet? Right here before you stands the AT&T Building a Detroit landmark. This isn’t just any building. It’s a testament to Detroit’s industrial past and architectural ingenuity. The AT&T Building wasn’t always the sleek skyscraper you see today.
Initially conceived as a seven-story structure for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company it opened in 1919. Designed by the architectural firm Smith Hinchman & Grylls it quickly proved too small for the growing telecommunications giant. So just nine years later they added twelve more floors. That’s a testament to forward thinking design. The original plans actually allowed for this expansion. The building’s exterior is a stunning example of Art Deco and Art Moderne styles. Tan brick and limestone create a striking facade. Notice the unique bronze spandrel panels below the windows. They depict lightning bolts bells and other symbols related to communication. Clever details such as these show the designers’ attention to even the smallest aspect.
The story of the AT&T Building isn’t just about architecture. It’s a reflection of Detroit’s rise as an industrial powerhouse. A rise built on innovation and technology. The expansion in 1928 wasn’t a simple addition. The original design was outdated. Wirt C. Rowland chief designer for Smith Hinchman & Grylls devised a new plan. He created a modern look without altering the original structure significantly. A true feat of engineering and design.
The building’s history continues with a nine-story maintenance shop added in 1950. Then came the AT&T Building Addition in 1973 a twenty-one-story skyscraper showcasing modern architecture. This addition features weathering steel bronze-tinted glass and granite. A notable feature was Alexander Calder’s sculpture Young Woman and Her Suitors originally located at the corner of Michigan and Cass Avenues. However it was later donated to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The AT&T Building stands as a symbol of Detroit’s enduring spirit. It’s a building that has evolved and adapted over time reflecting the city’s own dynamic history. The building’s history is part of the city itself. Each layer of construction a chapter in the broader story of Detroit.