Here stands the Executive Plaza. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to Detroit’s evolving story.
The Executive Plaza Building is a two-tower office complex. Construction spanned from 1967 to 1975. This was a period of significant change in Detroit.
The taller tower rises 22 stories. It stands on a site bounded by Sixth Street. Howard, Abbott, and the John C. Lodge Freeway also border it. Its address is 1200 Sixth Street.
The first tower went up in 1967. This is the southern part of the site. This tower has 11 stories. Precast concrete panels face it. Protruding piers divide the window bays. The building’s corners are recessed. The top floor’s windows also feature recesses. This creates small terraced areas on three sides. A separate tower houses elevators and stairs. It is at the north end.
Originally, planners conceived it as the Detroit Trade Center. The State of Michigan purchased it as an office building. The State of Michigan had offices here. All agencies moved to Cadillac Place in 2002.
In 1974, the state added the high-rise. Its style blends international and black box elements. Jickling, Lyman & Powell designed it. Reflective glass and brown aluminum panels cover it. This makes it resemble the nearby DTE Energy Headquarters. Like the first tower, the top floor windows are recessed. Its elevators and stairs are in a tower. It adjoins the earlier structure’s elevator tower.
The state sold the Executive Plaza in 2003. The price was $12.5 million. A real estate investment group bought it.
The General Services Administration planned to acquire the site in 2006. They intended to raze the buildings. New offices for the Detroit FBI branch were planned. By 2010, the GSA canceled the plan. They could not reach an agreement with the building’s owner.
In 2014, the owners placed the building up for auction. The minimum bid was $4.5 million. They received no offers.
The Executive Plaza is a landmark. Its history reflects Detroit’s economic shifts. It embodies architectural trends of its time. The building stands as a reminder. Plans change and fortunes shift. Yet, Detroit’s skyline continues to evolve.