Buhl Building Facts for Kids

This page is about the building in Detroit. For the building in Pittsburgh, see Buhl Building (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).

Quick facts for kids Buhl Building

General information
Type	Commercial offices
Location	535 Griswold Street Detroit, Michigan
Coordinates	42°19′46″N 83°02′49″W / 42.3294°N 83.0469°W / 42.3294; -83.0469
Completed	1925
Height
Roof	111.6 m (366 ft)
Top floor	107.0 m (351.0 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	29
Floor area	482,454 sq ft (44,821.4 m²)
Design and construction
Architect	Wirt C. Rowland SmithGroup


Buhl Building
U.S. Historic district Contributing property

Architectural style	Neo-Gothic / Romanesque
Part of	Detroit Financial District (ID09001067)
Designated CP	December 14, 2009

The Buhl Building is a tall office building, also known as a skyscraper, located in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It was designed by architect Wirt C. Rowland and finished in 1925. The building has a unique look, mixing Neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles. It stands 26 stories high in the Detroit Financial District.

The Buhl Building is an important part of Detroit's skyline. It is across the street from other famous buildings like the Penobscot Building and the Guardian Building. These buildings were also designed by Wirt C. Rowland. From 1928 to 1994, a group called the Savoyard Club met on the 27th floor. Today, many businesses have offices here. For example, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) has its main office in the building. Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (HRC), a Michigan engineering company, also has an office on the 16th floor. The beautiful sculptures on the building were created by Corrado Parducci.

Who Designed the Buhl Building?
Who Works in the Buhl Building?
Gallery
See also

Who Designed the Buhl Building?

The Buhl Building was designed by a famous architect named Wirt C. Rowland. He was born in Clinton, Michigan. In 1901, he started working as an office boy for an architecture firm in Detroit. He quickly learned a lot and moved to other important firms. In 1910, he even studied at Harvard Graduate School of Design for a year.

Rowland's Work in Detroit

Rowland had a natural talent for design. With his education and Detroit's growing economy, he made many important buildings in the city. He worked for several well-known architecture companies. He helped design famous buildings like the Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan and the Detroit News Building. He also worked on the First National Building and the General Motors Building, which is now called Cadillac Place.

Head Designer at SmithGroup

Rowland's most successful time was from 1922 to 1930. During these years, he was the Head Designer for Smith, Hinchman & Grylls (now called SmithGroup). He designed many major buildings in downtown Detroit. These buildings helped define the city's unique architectural style. For the Guardian Building, he brought together many talented artists. These included sculptors like Corrado Parducci, muralists like Ezra Winter, and companies that made beautiful tiles like Rookwood and Pewabic. This made the Guardian Building look like a grand medieval cathedral. It even became known as "the Cathedral of Finance."

Later Career

The Guardian Building opened in 1930. Soon after, the Great Depression began, which was a very difficult economic time. Rowland was laid off from Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. He then started his own office, but he designed fewer buildings. Later in his life, he returned to a purer Gothic style for his last projects. One of these was the Kirk in the Hills church, which was built after he passed away in 1946.

Who Works in the Buhl Building?

Many different organizations and businesses have offices in the Buhl Building today.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) has its main office here.
The Consulate of Italy in Detroit is located in Suite 1840. This is where people can get help with Italian passports or visas.
Fink + Associates Law has its Detroit office in Suite 1000.
The Michigan Nonprofit Association, which helps non-profit groups across the state, has its Metro Detroit office in the building.