The cream-colored terra cotta gleams in the Detroit sun. This is the Graphic Arts Building a testament to Detroit’s artistic past. It’s not as grand as some of Detroit’s other buildings but it whispers stories of creativity and innovation.
Built in an Italian Romanesque style this four-story structure stands proudly. Its reinforced concrete frame is partially visible. The Burroughs Avenue facade is particularly striking. Cream-colored terra cotta panels extend over the first bay of the east and west elevations. Byzantine columns with composite capitals divide the Burroughs facade into five bays. Double-hung windows are a prominent feature. Romanesque arches topped with verdigris marble grace the fourth-floor windows. Diamond-shaped verdigris marble insets add an extra touch of elegance. Sadly some windows have been replaced with glass blocks. The original steel sash windows however remain in some places.
This wasn’t just any building. It was dedicated to the graphic arts. The Wayne Color Plate Company a photo engraver resided here for years. So did the Henry Thomas Plate Company a lithography company. The Brown Art Studio and the Michigan Electroplate and Stereotype Company also called this building home. It was designed with artists in mind ideal conditions for ventilation and lighting were priorities. Its location near the heart of Detroit’s advertising industry made it a perfect hub for creative professionals.
Imagine the hustle and bustle of artists and artisans at work within these walls. The clatter of printing presses the delicate strokes of brushes the scent of ink and paint. This building breathes history. It’s a reminder that Detroit’s creative spirit has endured. It stands as a symbol of the city’s artistic legacy. A legacy that continues to inspire. A legacy you can feel as you stand before the Graphic Arts Building.