Guardian Building

Detroit’s Guardian Building, erected in 1928 and 1929 for the Union Trust Company, became one of the city’s defining Art Deco skyscrapers and later a National Historic Landmark. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland with interior work by William Edward Kapp, it is noted for its bold colored masonry, asymmetrical spires, Native American motifs, and a cathedral-like form that earned it the nickname Cathedral of Finance. Its lavish lobby features distinctive tile, metalwork, murals, and mosaics, while the building also introduced notable advances in metal use and elevator technology. Its later roles, from wartime command center to county offices, reflect Detroit’s changing history.

Detroit, Michigan · United States