Shimmering like a mirage the Fisher Building rises before us. It is a testament to Detroit’s ambition. The Fisher Building stands tall. It is located at 3011 West Grand Boulevard. This area is the heart of the New Center area. Completed in 1928 this ornate building is a masterpiece. Albert Kahn was the main architect. He designed it in the Art Deco style. Limestone, granite, and several types of marble adorn its facade.
The Fisher family financed this grand project. They used proceeds from selling Fisher Body to General Motors. Originally, the Fisher Building was designed for office and retail. But it became much more than just a commercial space.
Inside, the Fisher Building houses the elaborate Fisher Theatre. It seats 2,089 people. The Fisher Theatre is one of Detroit’s oldest live theater venues. The Fisher Building also hosts the studios for radio stations WJR, WDVD, and WUFL.
Initially, the plans were grander. Joseph Nathaniel French envisioned a complex of three buildings. There would have been two 30-story structures. They would have flanked a 60-story tower. The Great Depression scaled back the project. Only one tower was built.
The Fisher brothers strategically chose the location. It was across from the General Motors Building. This spurred the development of Detroit’s New Center. It was a business district north of downtown.
Originally, the Fisher Building’s hipped roof was covered in gold leaf tiles. During World War II, there was concern. People feared the reflective surface would attract enemy bombers. So the tiles were covered in asphalt. After the war, the asphalt could not be removed. It would have harmed the gold. Green tiles replaced them. Since the 1980s, colored lights illuminate the tiles at night. They give the appearance of gold. On St. Patrick’s Day, the lights turn green. To celebrate the Detroit Red Wings, the tower shines red.
The Fisher Building is more than just a pretty face. The Architectural League of New York awarded it a silver medal in 1929. The opulent three-story lobby is barrel vaulted. Forty different kinds of marble adorn the lobby. Hungarian artist Géza Maróti decorated it. His work is highly regarded by architects. Sculptors like Maróti, Corrado Parducci, and others contributed to the building’s exterior.
Radio station WJR has been a long-time tenant. It leased space in December 1928. On-air hosts often mention broadcasting from the Fisher Building’s golden tower. This was part of the station’s original lease. In exchange they got a nominal rent.
The Fisher Theatre originally had an Aztec theme. It included Mexican-Indian art and live macaws. But after the Depression, it became a movie house. In 1961, it was renovated into a playhouse with 2,089 seats. The decor changed to a mid-century design.
Three nationally recognized fine-art galleries once occupied space here. They underscore the Fisher Building’s connection to art.
Today, the Fisher Building remains a vibrant hub. It houses Detroit Public Schools offices. It also houses the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. You can find the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation here. Plus, there’s even a City Bakery.
Michigan State University now owns a majority stake. They acquired it in 2023. The Fisher Building is not just a building. It is a symbol. It is a symbol of Detroit’s proud past. It is a symbol of Detroit’s promising future. The Fisher Building is truly Detroit’s largest art object.