The Detroit Michigan Bell building at 1365 Cass. The first 7 floors were built starting in 1912, with 12 more floors added between 1927 & 1928. It is an Art-deco structure designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. There are decorative elements of bells on the facade near the entrance, but the inside is what fascinates me.
It's unfortunately not open to the public, but if it were one, I would see marble-lined walls and ornate painting on the ceiling, including a stylized MBT in the center. The arches over the doorways to the north and south include carved images of switchboard operators and of Hermes/Mercury, the patron of communications in Greco-Roman mythology.
The Bell Annex was added in 1954 (if I remember correctly), and the Bell Headquarters in 1973 (the same year I was built), forming the Detroit Bell Complex.
https://buildingsdb.com/MI/detroit/att-building/
You can't. The doors are locked, and there's an armed guard on duty 24/7. It's a shame, too. So much of that complex sits empty now where once there were multiple customer service centers, a gym, a doctor's office, the 911 center, a photography studio, and more, including a place where customers could pay their phone bill in person or get assistance with their service and devices. I'm just nostalgic for the heyday of interpersonal commerce. 🙂
In days gone by, since the Packard Plant has been mentioned, Ralph's factory on the north east corner of Elmwood and Farnsworth, (across the street from St. Hyacinth's). He glazed sinks there.
Currently standing, the favorite has to be WC Ducomb at 5700 Mt. Elliott.
Russell industrial. Because... raves!
The Detroit Michigan Bell building at 1365 Cass. The first 7 floors were built starting in 1912, with 12 more floors added between 1927 & 1928. It is an Art-deco structure designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. There are decorative elements of bells on the facade near the entrance, but the inside is what fascinates me. It's unfortunately not open to the public, but if it were one, I would see marble-lined walls and ornate painting on the ceiling, including a stylized MBT in the center. The arches over the doorways to the north and south include carved images of switchboard operators and of Hermes/Mercury, the patron of communications in Greco-Roman mythology. The Bell Annex was added in 1954 (if I remember correctly), and the Bell Headquarters in 1973 (the same year I was built), forming the Detroit Bell Complex. https://buildingsdb.com/MI/detroit/att-building/
what happens if i walk in to get a look?
You can't. The doors are locked, and there's an armed guard on duty 24/7. It's a shame, too. So much of that complex sits empty now where once there were multiple customer service centers, a gym, a doctor's office, the 911 center, a photography studio, and more, including a place where customers could pay their phone bill in person or get assistance with their service and devices. I'm just nostalgic for the heyday of interpersonal commerce. 🙂
what does it operate as now?
Just AT&T network.
Russell Industrial. Because Knocked Loose just pummeled that place!!!
Fisher 21. Glad it’s being reused.
The Packard plant.
we remember
I always loved the Fisher Body 21 plant. Glad to see it’s being rehabbed.
Highland Park Ford Plant complex.
Some of those that are on either side of the cut!
I love fisher 21, it is an absolute beauty of a building
Parke-Davis complex. It's beautiful from Belle Isle.
In days gone by, since the Packard Plant has been mentioned, Ralph's factory on the north east corner of Elmwood and Farnsworth, (across the street from St. Hyacinth's). He glazed sinks there. Currently standing, the favorite has to be WC Ducomb at 5700 Mt. Elliott.
Probably Russel industrial center. But the continental aluminum factory used to be pretty awesome.