Cadillac Place in Detroit

This grandiose structure in the New Center area is now called Cadillac Place.  Built by Albert Kahn and completed in 1923, it used to be GM's headquarters until 2001. Outside of New York City, it was the largest office building in the world. Its 31 elevators whisk people to their upper floor offices.  Today it houses lots of government agencies that represent the state of Michigan. Pedestrian overhead walkways connect it to New Center One and the Hotel St Regis across West Grand Boulevard.

National Theatre in Detroit

Taking a guided walking tour of Detroit will load you up on information about its history and its unique architecture. This building, the National Theatre near Campus Martius, was designed in 1911 by the famous Albert Kahn as a vaudeville house. It looks a little Moorish, a little Egyptian and is filled with details like eagles and rosettes. The terra cotta exterior was fired at Pewabic Pottery on Jefferson. The twin gold-domed towers stand 64 feet tall. The interior is a wreck and estimates to restore this gem run into the millions.  Everything else in this Monroe block which dated back to the 19th century was razed. We hope that somehow the National Theatre can be saved.

Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby

The Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hiking out there this morning and standing on the track next to the Timing Building, it's fun to imagine what it must have been like back in the early 20th century. Albert Kahn designed the buildings and, hiking around them. we found a cool old Packard someone is probably going to restore. Every Sunday there is a farmer's market and tomorrow you can take in a car show and swap meet. The picnic tables everywhere invite us to stay awhile and admire.

First Congregational Church in Detroit

This striking red sandstone church on Woodward, dating back to 1891, is called First Congregational. Albert Kahn designed the Angel Wing in 1921 which is represented by the 8 foot copper archangel Uriel. Filled with carved wood and rose windows, this is one of the beautiful historical churches of Detroit and has been designated as a National Historic Place. Self-guided tours are encouraged as well as a visit to the Underground Railroad Living Museum

Bonstelle Theatre in Detroit

The Bonstelle Theatre on Woodward is part of the Wayne State Campus undergraduate drama program.  They put on several plays a year in this 1200 seat historic venue. It was built in 1902 by Albert Kahn in the Beaux Arts style and was originally the Temple Beth-El. We have seen many delightful performances here including Cathy Rigby flying across the stage as Peter Pan.  Coming up in April is The Full Monty.

The Dearborn Inn

Henry Ford hired Albert Kahn to design the elegant Dearborn Inn. It was built in the Georgian style and served as a hotel for the Ford airport across the street. The landing strip closed in 1933 and is now the Ford Vehicle Track. Since opening in the early 1930's, hotel guests have included Orville Wright, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bette Davis, James Doolittle and Norman Rockwell. In 1937 Henry Ford had five historic replica homes built on the hotel campus in a colonial village setting which can also be reserved. Can you imagine staying in the replica home of Edgar Allen Poe (complete with Raven on the porch), Walt Whitman or Patrick Henry? We recently attended the Michigan Historical Conference at the Dearborn Inn. All attendees seemed very pleased with the food, ambiance and their accommodations.