Peering up at the golden tower. It is a sight to behold. We’re standing before the Fisher Building. This isn’t just any building. It is Detroit’s largest art object.
The Fisher Building’s story began with the Fisher brothers. They made auto bodies for Detroit’s booming car industry. They founded the Fisher Body Co in 1908. Their timing was impeccable. It was just three months before the birth of General Motors Corp.
Fast forward to 1927. The Fisher brothers commissioned Albert Kahn to design their headquarters. They told him to build the most beautiful building in the world. Quality was not to be sacrificed.
Kahn delivered a masterpiece. The Fisher Building opened in September 1928. It quickly became known as the Cathedral to Commerce. The building stands 441 feet tall. It is decked in fancy marbles, mosaics, and bronze.
The brothers wanted more than offices. They envisioned a center for shopping and entertainment. They saw it as a gift to Detroit. It was a huge testimonial to their faith in Detroit.
The Fisher Building is clad in over 40 kinds of marble. These marbles came from all over the world. The exterior is finished in polished Minnesota pink marble. Oriental granite is also used.
Geza R. Maroti designed the sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes. He was an artist from Budapest, Hungary. His artwork reflects American culture. Commerce, transportation, art, and agriculture are represented. Eagles symbolize America’s power and progress.
Inside, the three-story arcade stuns visitors. It is finished entirely in marble. The ceiling is covered in gold leaf and oil paint. Redheaded cherubs and muses frolic among hemlock needles. Custodians once used buttermilk to wash this ceiling.
Look closely at the arches. Words are painted along them. One arch quotes Samuel Johnson. It speaks of pleasing to live. Another quotes Alexander Pope. It mentions waking the soul with art.
The Fisher Building also houses a theater. It opened in November 1928. Originally, it had an exotic Mayan temple theme. The theater featured tropical trees and even macaws. In 1961, the theater was renovated. It received a more modern look.
Originally, the Fisher Building was to be part of a three-building complex. The Great Depression shelved those plans. Only one tower was built.
The Fisher Building’s elevators were innovative. They were automatically controlled. They ran at 800 feet per minute. This was fast for Detroit in 1928.
Albert Kahn changed how the world parked cars. The Fisher Building had an 11-story parking garage. It used a double helix ramp system. Cars could go up and down on the same ramp.
Michigan State University’s endowment bought a majority interest in 2023. The Platform continues to oversee day-to-day operations. The Fisher Building remains a Detroit icon.
The Fisher Building stands as a testament to Detroit’s golden age. It embodies architectural and cultural elegance. It is a gift from the Fisher brothers. It is a masterpiece by Albert Kahn. The Fisher Building is a treasure to be admired.