Detroit's ornate Fisher Building was once meant to be a sixty-story skyscraper complex.

Science · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Completed in 1928, this Art Deco landmark was financed by the sale of Fisher Body to General Motors. While originally envisioned as a massive three-building complex, the Great Depression forced a drastic reduction in scale. Today, it stands as a singular, marble-clad tower often called Detroit's largest art object.

Designed by Albert Kahn Associates with chief architect Joseph Nathaniel French, the Fisher Building was intended to anchor a new business district in Detroit. The original plan featured two 30-story structures flanking a 60-story centerpiece, but economic collapse necessitated a shift to the single 30-story tower that exists today. The structure is celebrated for its opulent lobby, which utilizes forty varieties of marble and features intricate decorative work by Hungarian artist Géza Maróti.

The building's history is marked by unusual adaptations. Its roof was initially finished with gold leaf tiles, but these were covered in asphalt during World War II due to fears that their reflection would draw enemy bombers. Post-war attempts to remove the asphalt damaged the gold, leading to their replacement with green tiles. Since the 1980s, lighting systems have been used to simulate the original golden appearance at night. In 1970, staff discovered a sealed room containing flags from 75 nations, presumably intended for display during the building's 1928 opening.

Beyond its architecture, the site has served as a cultural hub. It houses the Fisher Theatre, which underwent a major 1961 renovation that reduced its capacity from 3,500 to 2,089 seats to prioritize patron comfort. The building has also hosted prestigious fine-art galleries, including the Gertrude Kasle Gallery, which exhibited works by artists such as Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg. In 2023, Michigan State University secured a majority 79% equity stake in the property, marking the latest chapter in the tower's long and varied financial history.

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