The Ford Building is a high-rise office building at 615 Griswold Street, in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is located at the northwest corner of Congress and Griswold Streets in the heart of Detroit's Financial District. The Penobscot Building abuts the building to the north, and the Guardian Building is southeast across Griswold Street.
Designed by Daniel Burnham, construction began in 1907 and completed in 1909. The building celebrated its 100th year in 2009, and was one of the first to use a steel structural support system. It stands at 23 stories in total height, with two basement floors, 19 above-ground floors, and two penthouses. It held the title as tallest building in Detroit from 1909 until 1913. The Ford Building's primary uses are for offices and retail. Burnham styled it with Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance elements. It is constructed with a steel skeleton faced with Terra cotta tile and accented with white Italian marble. Burham's other remaining skyscraper designs in Detroit include the David Whitney Building (1915) and the Dime Building (1912).
Famous quotes containing the words ford and/or building:
“I have always believed helping your fellow man is profitable in every sense, personally and bottom line.”
—Mario Puzo, U.S. author, screenwriter, and Francis Ford Coppola, U.S. director, screenwriter. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)
“The limits of prudence: one cannot jump out of a burning building gradually.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)