Guardian Building

Historical landmark · CBD

Guardian Building

Historical landmark · CBD

1

500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

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Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null
Guardian Building by null

Highlights

Art deco skyscraper with colorful tiled lobby, murals, and Tiffany clock.  

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500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions

guardianbuilding.com
@guardianbuilding

Information

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500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions

+1 313 963 4567
guardianbuilding.com
@guardianbuilding

Features

wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 19, 2025

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Step inside the “Cathedral of Finance” with expert-led tours that unpack its Wirt Rowland design, Pewabic tile, and vaults. A favorite of architecture critics and the Michelin Green Guide.

https://www.detroithistorical.org/events/guardian-building-behind-scenes
Things to Do in Detroit (2025)
View Postcard for Guardian Building

Keandell Clyde Arcenal Pineda

Google
Amazing architectural design. There was a tour going on when I went in and I'm like don't mind me joining.Has a rich history with how the building was constructed and the stones came all the way from Tunisia.

Scott V

Google
Trying to see all the great architecture in Michigan and decided to finally check out the Guardian Building on one of their tours. Our tour guide was fantastic, and did an amazing job of weaving the information into a story and not just robotically spitting out facts. The building itself is a marvel to behold and the details on the ceiling of the "Grand Hall" and what was done in it's construction to help control noise was very interesting. Really wish it would be possible to see it all in it's original state, but there's enough history preserved to enjoy the wonder of this amazing building.

Elena Krasnopolski-Harilaou

Google
Art Deco building. Gorgeous Era that is gone and was replaced by new buildings with no characters. Building is run down just like the rest of town. Very sad

savana bellows

Google
I absolutely love ❤️ this building in Detroit. It's absolutely beautiful and very well maintained.

Maria D

Google
Very nice art deco in the lobby and area where they have places to buy food and seating. ATM and bank branch too. Reminds me a little of the Hall of State building at Fair Park in Dallas. Free.

Iurii Novak

Google
The Arc construction on the first floor with mosaic interior is awesome. And commerce area is lightly organized with travel activities for people coming inside.

Shawn Jacob

Google
Did not expect to see this cool looking interior. The art work of the ceiling and stained glass are really nice. Worth stopping in the building to check out. There is food, gift shop and banking in the building as well. Free to enter.

Jl Sillman

Google
This is the quintessential example of a perfect art deco skyscraper. Beauty and design embraced this building can never be repeated.
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Holly W.

Yelp
Beautiful Detroit Classic! I came for the gift shop, but left with a few souvenirs and and impression that will last a lost time. The craftsmanship! Just look around, all the small details that create the larger than life larger picture. Specifically the ceiling! be sure to look up. This place is so beautiful. So beautiful, I saw a photo shoot occur while visiting for footwear. I would highly suggest stopping by for a quick glance at this architecture. it costs you nothing but time. (Also- the tour shop inside has some cute souvenirs.)
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Leslie C.

Yelp
My favorite building downtown! Quintessential historical Detroit architecture. Built in the 1920's, the art deco is incredible. I love coming here and looking at all the details.
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Mark K.

Yelp
This is a building with a stunningly beautiful ground level entry hall. The architecture is remarkable and memorable. You do not have to be an architectural afficionado to appreciate this wonderful structure. If you happen to be in the area, take a couple of minutes to step inside to appreciate it.
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Mac C.

Yelp
Beautiful art deco building. It is definitely one of a kind. They have beautiful murals and stained glass. It's a must do tourist spot and not crowded at the time we went there on a weekend. It has event space available as well
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Liz M.

Yelp
Very beautiful building with amazing architecture. The design is so unique. Definitely a must visit from Detroit. There's a coffee place, and you can seat around and stay watching for a long time. Ps. Also has public restrooms, which sometimes are hard to find.
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Bill A.

Yelp
Looking for that amazing art deco design then this building is the one you all need to see in down town Detroit. During our visit there were no tours to the top but if it's anything like the lobby and Bank entrance it must be amazing.
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Michelle F.

Yelp
This is an amazing building circa 1928 that's still gracefully intact. Amazing architecture style outside. Inside the main hall is a beautiful full length wall painted mural including the demographic map areas of Michigan. On each lower side of the mural you'll see painted depictions of the agricultural and industrial aspects of what Michigan was built from. The entry atrium has amazing perfectly matched geometric colorful patterns. A must see building done in art deco; beautiful inside and out!
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Alison M.

Yelp
As a big fan of Art Deco this was a quick but memorable visit. The architecture is incredible, I have never seen anything quite like the interior. It really is a living work of art that gives a nod to Detroit's illustrious past. There are a few store inside as well as a bank, the staff were surprisingly friendly. I am glad we stopped in to marvel at this beauty of a building.
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Diego A.

Yelp
Beautiful building, inside and out. But definitely go inside and take some photos. The inner aesthetic and decor is something from a different era.
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Ivona R.

Yelp
Shout out to Miss Marie for making my mama, who loves architecture, feel so special and well taken care of! She took the time to have a nice conversation with her and they were exchanging smiles and laughs. What a way to be welcomed to Detroit!
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Shannon T.

Yelp
I went here mid-week while visiting Detroit. The architecture is amazing inside and out. Unfortunately i could only see the first floor because tours are only on the weekends.
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John H.

Yelp
This Art Deco lobby is open to the public. It is a beautiful example of Detroit's illustrious past. I was hoping to try their cafe, but all the businesses are closed indefinitely during covid.
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Ed U.

Yelp
It's a quick stop for a tourist like Jamie W. and me, but the Guardian Building is a textbook example of the true aesthetic of Art Deco - which when done badly - can really go south. Y'hear that, Miami Beach? Built in 1929, it's forty stories high, not a monumental height, but it stands out with its clean lines and lightly orange bricks (photo). Get closer and colorful details come into focus like the two stone figures stand sentry by the doors. What struck us when we walked inside was the omnipresent use of colored tile, not loud but relatively muted in intricate geometric patterns. Look up at the gorgeous concave ceiling (photo: http://bit.ly/2JUhhI0) and also the pyramid shapes around the elevator bank (photo: http://bit.ly/2XWtG87). Once we walked into the lobby (which is dominated by a working B of A branch), there in clear view on the far wall is a massive mural of the state of Michigan streaked with gilded details and images (photo: http://bit.ly/2JUhSte). Look back and there's a classic Tiffany clock surrounded by ornate ironwork (photo: http://bit.ly/2JVxOex). The sum of all the detail made up of brick, terra-cotta, marble, ceramic tile, and metal is quite something , period craftsmanship at its finest. RELATED - Exploring Michigan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2Jt7MiE
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Mahritzah W.

Yelp
We love the special architecture of the city, we always visit this building and we are always amazed. We had some friends from China and they also loved it and took lots of pictures.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
My brother and I were visiting Detroit for a weekend, and we're both sort of architecture nerds. When I learned about Pure Detroit's FREE architecture tours, I wanted to do them all. We were able to squeeze in the tours of the Fisher Building and Guardian Building. THE GUARDIAN BUILDING IS BONKERS. I've seriously never seen anything like it. Designed by Wirt Rowland and in the Art Deco (or "Aztec Deco") style, there is SO MUCH to look at in this building. The building (completed in 1929) has monel metal, Tiffany glass, mosaics, an enormous fresco, and custom tile work. It has a hand-painted canvas ceiling to dampen sound! It's thought to be the first air-conditioned skyscraper. The Pure Detroit tour of this building is SO WORTH IT. Our tour guide was excellent. And we learned so much about this fascinating building. The tour runs an hour or a little longer, but you won't be bored - NOTHING about this building is boring. I took some pretty amazing pictures in this building - but they don't do the building justice. This is simply a building every Detroit resident or visitor should see for themselves! (You can just wander in and around the main lobby and the banking lobby by yourselves for free if you want, but I highly recommend the Pure Detroit tour!)
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Austin G.

Yelp
If you love Art Deco architecture, Detroit is a dream and the Guardian Building is one of the best. Located in downtown Detroit, it's easy to get to. It's open all the time. However, the main lobby is where the stunning art is and that's often booked for events on weekends. Keep that in mind if you go. Also, if you like ice cream, Milk and Froth is nearby!
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Retna S.

Yelp
Beautiful Art Deco building. Close to financial district People mover station. A must visit for visitors
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Victoria M.

Yelp
Do not question if you should visit this beautiful building or not. You need to do yourself a favor and see the Guardian Building in person! We went on a free tour of the building via Pure Detroit - did I mention free? No charge either when entering the building - free to the public. Parking is the only tricky part but there are some lots and structures that are around and only about a 2-5 minute walk from the building. The Pure Detroit tour was in front of their store front in the banking room. Lots of cool stuff too in their store - so check it out! Steve was our tour guide and the tour was about 1.5 hours - the tour went longer than most especially with the amount of people on the tour. I learned a ton about the building, architecture, and of course the history! We spent about 15 minutes outside to admire the outside of the building but also check out the other beautiful buildings in the financial district. My favorite part of the tour was heading to the 32nd floor and checking out the amazing views. This building is a treasure and is a combo of a cathedral church, meets southwest design, meets art deco. A sight for the eyes is an understatement!
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Hannah P.

Yelp
What a beautiful building and a very polite and friendly attendant! Worth stopping by!
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Michelle G.

Yelp
The Guardian is such an incredible building. I've been in beautiful buildings in so many cities - Seoul, Chicago, New York - but this one blows so many of them away. The fact that it's open during the day and people can just walk in and hang out in the lobby is incredible, and this would be a lovely place to catch up with someone or read a book. The Art Deco style and warm reds of the building really distinguish it from so much of what makes modern buildings and skyscrapers beautiful, and I think it's so worth stopping by if you're in Detroit. It honestly amazes me that people work in this building and pass by every day, as it really is jawdropping and incredible to see.
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Brittany S.

Yelp
A must see while sightseeing in downtown Detroit! Set aside 10-15 minutes to peek your head inside and soak in the beauty of the historic Guardian Building. This national landmark boasts Native American inspired tile work that is vibrantly filled with color and spills from the inside out into the exterior of the building. That's right, take a minute to look up and see how this building oozes character around every corner. Inside you'll find a handful of sighs sharing the history and inspiration of the building as well as a few shops in the upper area of the lobby. The Guardian Building is less than a ten minute walk from Martius Park. The building now serves as an office building for Bank of America. Highly recommend adding this spot to your hit list while in D-town!
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Daniel S.

Yelp
Nice views from 32 floor. The lobby lives up to being the most beautiful building in Detroit. Great free tour from Pure Detroit store.
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Angela S.

Yelp
I have the wonderful pleasure of working in one of Detroit's most beautifully lavish historic skyscrapers. The majestic Guardian Building, architected by W.C.Rowland and built in 1929, and is a noteworthy fixture with its orange brick grandeur adding a uniqueness to the Detroit skyline. The building's front entrance on Griswold is covered by burgundy monogrammed awnings. Situated between Congress and Larned, with its back facing Woodward Ave, it always been a key fixture in the city's Finance District. The 36 story building, which served as the US Army Command Center for wartime production during WWII, was later home to the Union Tryst Company. Today it provides leased office space to many companies and offers retail shopping, a bank and the Rowland cafe in the building's sprawling lobby which boast beautiful displays of most of the original pewabic pottery tiles and marble floors. The building still houses some of the original money vaults in basement and has breathtaking views of the city from its 32 floor Guardian Club, open lounge that is available for rent. If you ever want to see a delightful piece of Detroit's history, sign up for one of the free the guided tours and prepare to be amazed!
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Erica M.

Yelp
Zipping over from Corktown, we got downtown and parked across the street from The Guardian Building in a parking garage that was like a crazy maze. I mean, no matter what THEY try to tell you, most parking garages don't just have you go up to park and then down to exit. There are like sub-levels and trolls to pay before you can actually park. Then, you have to REMEMBER where you parked, but who can remember Green 4B, Spot 890, The Toledo Mud Hens Level? Even when you take a picture of nearby signs, you are still tempted to leave bread crumbs. Before the twisting garage, I read about The Guardian Building while researching coffee places in Detroit. You know when that internet rabbit hole happens? Coffee places leads to NEW SAVORY OPTIONS leads to healthy snacking this summer leads to KEEP YOUR ENERGY UP BY WALKING leads to beautiful walking tours leads to ART DECO BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT. I know that has happened to you. I know. Feeling like we needed to have a coffee run mid-point in our Detroit adventure, we intended to go to The Rowland Cafe in the lobby of The Guardian Building for coffee, but got distracted by the prettiness. To say this building had amazing architecture and design would be a giant understatement. The beauty of the mosaic tile, the delicate stairs, the Michigan mural on the south wall, the orange in the clock... incredible. Oh, AND there were souvenirs! A great Pure Detroit store is just to the right of the cafe in the lobby, where we bought onesies and t-shirts (because that is what you do when things around you are beautiful- it is Art Museum Gift Shop Logic). After the purchasing of many things with D-E-T-R-O-I-T plastered on them, we finally went to the Rowland Cafe, just feet away. It is here that I got into a conversation about the merits of beet salad because people don't understand. My beet salad argument (adapted for your attention span): You can roast them, coat them in a balsamic vinaigrette, add goat cheese and miracles happen. They should never be JUST pickled. OK? After everyone (the barista and another half-interested patron) was swayed by my excellent oratory skills, I ordered. The Cafe makes a good caffeinated beverage, but also has lots of bottled water, imported beverages, desserts and snack food options. With a Quicken building across the street, there were many lanyard-sporting people about mid-day looking for places to eat. If I was one of them, I would eat here almost every day. The service was good, the eats looked tasty and the environment was unusually ideal. Also, the building is a block away from the Hart Plaza Fountain; it is really a statue that is a fountain, a circle, and could probably beam you to space if you asked nicely. Just all around goodness. But, if chili and hot dogs are more your thing, you could walk down the street to the middle of the coney wars.
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Lynn H.

Yelp
Beautiful! Built in the 1920s by Wirtland C. Rowland for The Union Trust Company, the Guardian Building was known as the Cathedral of Finance. Completed in 1929, the Guardian Building is considered one of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the world. Its six story lobby features custom Pewabic tiles and an enormous Tiffany clock. Restored in 1986, the Guardian Building was acquired by Wayne County in 2007 and now serves as the office for the Wayne County Executive. Wayne County occupies most of the space itself, but also leases to other tenants, including The Smith Group, which is the descendant company of Smith Hinchman & Grylls, Rowland's employer. I am among the lucky who work in the Guardian Building and I'm still awed by the beauty of the space every time I enter the building. The Guardian Building is a must-see for anyone in the Detroit area interested in history or architecture. The lobby level of the building houses several retail establishments. including a coffee shop, a sandwich shop, and a Pure Detroit store. Inside Detroit, as well as the Guardian Building's concierge, offer tours that bring the history of the place to life. If you're lucky, you'll get to visit the former "Guardian Club" on the 32nd floor, which is now used by the County for special events and offers unparalleled views of the Detroit skyline.
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Cathy C.

Yelp
I honestly had no itinerary when I went to Detroit. It was one of those "oh, I'm going to Detroit?" moments. My friend took me here. It's a pretty cool looking building. The interior is remarkable. Very ornate, colorful and detailed. It's free to get in. There was a tour group while we there but I don't do too well in tour groups since I get easily bored and distracted. This place has lots to distract you with. Ooh, colors! There's a cafe and a gift shop that sells proudly Detroit-made products such as tea, fudge, chocolates, soda (Faygo), chips, popcorn, accessories made with seatbelts, shirts, magnets, books, pottery, etc.
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Denise G.

Yelp
Very beautiful. Views from 32nd floor. Really unexpectedly a really wonderful interior.
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Kathleen S.

Yelp
A Detroit gem! I've been to the Guardian building several times and I never tire of seeing it. Anytime I have out of town visitors come, I make sure to take them here. As one Detroit tour guide I had put it, you should be fired as a tour guide if you don't include the Guardian Building in your tour. This building is a WORK OF ART and a must-see if you're in the area. They just don't make buildings like this anymore and it's a doggone shame. Pluses are that there's a Pure Detroit store in the Guardian building. Great for tourists as they sell Michigan postcards, Detroit t-shirts and other Michigan wares like Vernor's ginger ale and Sander's chocolate. They also have a nice selection of seatbelt bags and Pewabic pottery. There's also a cafe in here and a conveniently located women's restroom. I think the men's restroom is on a different floor as the women's. This building is one of the things that makes Detroit really special! Definitely check it out!
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Baylee D.

Yelp
Beautiful! The free tour was excellent and covered history of the building, architectural style/influence, and materials. Check at the lobby desk for tour times.
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Emily R.

Yelp
The guardian building is beautiful and very unique. Pure Detroit put on an amazing free tour on Sunday at 2 pm. Our guide was amazing. He took us up to the top of the building, and explained much of Detroit's history. I highly recommend visiting the building and doing the tour.
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Veronica X.

Yelp
I bookmarked Guardian Building when planning a one-day layover in Detroit a year ago. That trip didn't happen but I somehow found myself in metro Detroit a year later, just in time to watch Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown Season 2 Finale Detroit in the hotel. Bourdain didn't say anything about the Guardian in his piece, but I like to think he had it in mind when he said Detroit is one of the most beautiful cities in America--still. You should come here and see it. I will leave it to others to elaborate on the architecture and the history as I am ill-equipped to do so. I was simply mesmerized by what I saw in the lobby. Tips for fellow tourists: Touring the building: you can visit the lobby and the adjacent retail promenade freely, enjoy some coffee, sweets or lunch at Stella Cafe or Rowland Cafe. Pure Detroit, which has a shop there, offers free (for now) tours of the Guardian and a few other landmark buildings on Thursdays and Saturdays only. Check puredetroit.com for schedules. Parking: a sign near the entrance to the building says valet parking for $10. I parked in one of the city-operated parking facilities: Ford Underground Garage @Jefferson & Woodward (first 2 hours: $5. 2-4 hours: $10), which is only a block away. Entrance to the garage is right next to the famous fist sculpture.
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Kevin J.

Yelp
I can't add to much to what other reviewers have already said; I can only agree. Yes, this building is exquisite inside and out. In terms of beautiful Detroit lobbies, the Guardian's is second only to the Fisher Building. (Feel free to disagree with me; they're both stunning, so do yourself a favor and check out both.) Yes, Christopher Roddy is a tour guide beyond reproach. What a great guy - easy going and informative. Some of the other reviewers also did a great job giving some facts and history on the building. I'll just add two things: it's best to arrive for tours weekdays between 10 and 11 a.m. Other times you should make an appointment. And spend some time checking out the murals in the lobby. I spent about an hour drawing details from them and drinking coffee from the Rowland Cafe. It was an productive and pleasurable time. Three cheers for the Guardian Building!
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Matthew L.

Yelp
Simply amazing and breathtaking. Detroit has many architectural and artistic gems, the Guardian Building being one of them. My friend took me here as part of a walking tour of downtown. She wasn't sure if the Guardian Building was open on Sunday in the late afternoon...and it was! Granted that only the lobby was open, I still was able to get a good glimpse of the beautiful art deco/arte moderne that flooded the building. My friend recommended that I come by here on a weekday (during my trip, that was a Monday) to check out the rest of the building as it was closed off for Sundays. With my friend's recommendation, I came back on a Monday during prime business hours. The gate, which separates the lobby from the rest of the businesses on ground level (i.e. Bank of America and the Detroit Store) was open, so I snuck inside to get a better look at all the beautiful colors, shapes, and designs on the ceilings and on the walls. Such an incredible sight with all the rich hues of red, yellow, and blue colors whether from afar or up close. In addition, there are two pieces of art that I really love here in the Guardian Building: (1) The Michigan mural, highlighting the main industries of the state (somewhat like the Rivera mural in the DIA), painted by Ezra Winter. As a child, I had an atlas with pictorial representation of the industries of different countries that I would read/look at every day. Winter's Michigan mural reminded me of the childhood, while also giving me a better understanding of Michigan's industrial history (2) The beautiful Tiffany clock located on the gate separating the lobby from the businesses. Simply said, who doesn't love Tiffany artwork/glass? For those visiting Detroit, I highly recommend visiting the Guardian Building. It's free and provides a great representation of the architectural beauty that can be found in Detroit. Five stars!
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Swaran Pradeep C.

Yelp
This is a Must-see in Detroit. If you are architecture buff you will love this place. Only issue is you can't park more than 5 minutes in front of the building.
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Joan Y.

Yelp
Yes, this building is beautiful. Do I think it's a must see top 5 spot in Detroit (as google suggested?) ...no? The Art Deco, colors, and design are amazing and I'm grateful to have seen it, but you can appreciate it all in 5 minutes if not quicker. The lobby is open 24/7 but they to put gates up when the building closes for business. There are free tours on the weekends only where you can see a little bit more from the upper floors.
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Marygrace A.

Yelp
Incredible architecture and vaulted ceiling art. The vibrant colors, the palatial set up - walk into a classic oasis and appreciate the history and skill that went into creating this building. Check out the free tours at the Pure Detroit shop (See the Fisher Building too!) There's a small cafe to try, and little boutiques with jewelry and Detroit trinkets. Classic leather and metal chairs from the 60's add a mod vibe to the seating, and it's a fun place just to spend out of the heat/cold of downtown.
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Alyssa F.

Yelp
One of Renowned Modern Architects feats, this is one of A. Kahn's most passionate interiors. The mosaic tiling and murals are worth checking out! In the heart of Downtown. The photos say it all. It's a true spectacle. Survey says: GO! I just like to take my time off on lunch or a weekend and spend some time and just staring and enjoying it's timeless beauty. I suggest you try it.
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Jim E.

Yelp
History and Architecture! Situated in beautiful Downtown Detroit the Guardian Building is a gem! Pure Detroit is also a great gift shop located in the Building. You need to go inside the building to see how beautiful the detail is in this building, I would make a trip down just to see this or see it in passing when your Downtown Detroit for other things.
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Paisley T.

Yelp
A great building. See all the other reviews for details. Yep, nice touches that are real Tiffany-esque. Now don't hate me but turn around and go see the Fisher building. Just sayin'. Everyone has their favorites. My eyes just started to squint and give me a headache with all the intensity here. You love it or hate it. Also, the Pure Detroit shop here is smaller than the one in Fisher.
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Carey C.

Yelp
Great looking building with nice restrooms. We ended up in Detroit on April 22, 2017 for the March for Science which started with a rally in Hart Plaza. Unfortunately Hart Plaza did not have their restrooms open for the event, so we found ourselves walking a block into the city and using the restrooms at the Guardian building. They were very nice and clean. I only saw the main floor, which had few Detroit based stores, and their was a tour going on when I went for one of my restroom visits (there were many!). Everyone who worked there were very nice and helpful.
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Garrett K.

Yelp
The Guardian Building is bonkers. It's like "church-meets-oriental-theater-gets-dressed-up-like-Joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dream-coat-and-decides-to-become-a-bank-in-an-art-deco-skyscraper" bonkers. Everyone within 50 miles of Detroit needs to see this building. I'm an architecture snob from Chicago but we don't have ANYTHING like this. You can just walk into the building for free most days, including Sunday, to see the lobby. If you take the free Pure Detroit tour you can also get upstairs to the Guardian Club on the 32nd floor. Michael Boettcher is a phenomenal tour guide. Way to go, Pure Detroit!
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Deborah E.

Yelp
What a gorgeous building. The beautiful Art Deco styling with red, blue, and gold colors throughout the building is amazing. Explore the lobby and the promenade, where you'll find a cafe, Pure Detroit shop, and Bank of America branch. As you walk through the gate separating the lobby and the promenade, turn around and take a look at the Tiffany clock above. I loved exploring the promenade, checking out the beautiful architectural details. I could have spent the afternoon, sitting at the cafe, gazing at the shapes and designs throughout the promenade, on the walls and ceiling. The space reminded me of a church, not a skyscraper. The Michigan mural, painted by Ezra Winter, at the end of the hall highlights the industries in Michigan. It was the favorite thing my son liked about the building. Unfortunately, since the Bank of America branch was open, we didn't feel comfortable walking through the middle of their space to check out the mural. The building is open to the public Monday through Friday, and I understand there are free building tours. When you visit downtown Detroit, this is one place you don't want to miss.
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Janene H.

Yelp
Beautiful building inside and out. Bummer that they only have tours on weekends. We found ourselves touring on a weekday and could only access the lobby and promenade. There was a small coffee shop, bank and cute Pure Detroit gift shop inside the building accessible to the public. The gift shop had adorable dog collars and handbags made of seat belts. Too cute. It would be cool to take the FREE tour if we are ever back on a weekend. Would've loved to have gone upstairs.
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Owen R.

Yelp
If you find yourself downtown, take a look! Cool architecture, don't see much like this anymore.. The cafe also nice inside. Pure Detroit is good but overpriced.
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Rob R.

Yelp
The charming and articulate Christopher Roddy seems perfectly matched for his role as the tour guide for the Guardian Building. His attention to detail and precise vocabulary likely matches that of Wirt Rowland, the building's architect. "Hey, photogenic!" he says, smiling broadly as he attends to the details of a perfectly architected middle-aged woman passing him by in the lobby. The building itself is brimming with architectural detail, and its Aztec theme (presumably motivated as a sign of peace to the recently displaced Indians) is unique for the region. On the ground floor, a large cathedral-like room is known as "The Cathedral of Finance"; in place of Jesus, the goddess of Michigan holds two horns of plenty. "Money was flowing like a fountain of water back then," Roddy states. Of particular note, the arches of the cathedral's windows are lined with horse's hairs, reputedly to mute sound and protect the privacy of financial transactions. Other interesting details included the frequent use of Monel metal (a precursor to stainless steel) and the entangled orange and blue lines on the elevator doors which actually spell out "UT" for "Union Trust," the building's original occupant. While most of the building's architectural details are preserved, there are a few not-so-subtle modern renovations, such as the small television screen embedded in the elevators. "I tell people that these televisions were originally black and white back in the '20s." Just as we were finishing up the tour, our guide becomes swarmed by a flock of giddy teenage girls. "Are you, like, the guy we saw on TV who knows everybody?" Yes, he is, and his name is Christopher Roddy.
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Dick S.

Yelp
This is probably not the best place to visit for those with COPD because the interior defines the term breath taking. I never saw such colorful detail in any building before. I had to leave sooner than I would have wanted from gawking, moving my head from side to side, straining my neck as I walked to look at ceilings to the point every muscle above the shoulders ached. This is art deco on fire. One more example of the surprises of the Muscle City.
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Becks D.

Yelp
This place is a true gem. It saddens me when people say they've never been inside. For a real treat, go on a tour with the concierge, Christopher Roddy. He offers tours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and his stories and knowledge really bring the building alive! The tour takes you through the banking hall, down into the vault, and up to 32nd floor banquet rooms. When we were there they were still renovating the 32nd floor so we couldn't go up. We plan to go back just to see the remarkable views of Detroit and Canada. Looking for a pick me up? Get a cup of coffee from the Stella International Café right inside the entrance. It'll keep you buzzing all day. And, it's yummy to boot.
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Simon N.

Yelp
The Guardian Building is an architecture marvel that is worth going in for 10 minutes. I wouldn't make this the highlight of the tour. However, as long as I am in the area, I'd be sure to stop by and take a look. In addition, check out the souvenir store inside to see all the made in Michigan items.
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Tiffany M.

Yelp
Nice coffee place that has sweets and there is even a Detroit shoppe! Very interesting place