Fisher and New Center Buildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fisher and New Center Buildings
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Albert Kahn Building (left) and Fisher Building (right) in Detroit. Cadillac Place is in the background.
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| Location | Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1927 and 1930 |
| Architect | Albert Kahn |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001922 |
| Added to NRHP | October 14, 1980 |
The Fisher Building and the New Center Building are two amazing office buildings in Detroit, Michigan. They stand right next to each other in an area called New Center. These buildings are so special that they were both added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means they are important historical places!
The Amazing Fisher Building
The Fisher Building is a huge office building with 30 floors. It was designed by a famous architect named Albert Kahn. The building was finished in 1928. It was built using strong materials like limestone, granite, and marble.
Many people call the Fisher Building Detroit's largest art object. It was even named a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The building was made for the Fisher brothers, who owned a car company called Fisher Body. Many experts think it's one of Albert Kahn's best designs.
When it was first built, the Architectural League of New York called the Fisher Building the most beautiful business building of the year! Inside, the main lobby is three stories tall and looks like a giant tunnel. It's made with 40 different kinds of marble and has beautiful decorations by a Hungarian artist named Géza Maróti. Architects really admire this special lobby.
The New Center Building
The New Center Building was also designed by Albert Kahn. The Fisher brothers built this ten-story building too. It looks very similar to the Fisher Building. In fact, the two buildings are connected by an underground tunnel!
This building was first used for offices and shops. Today, it mainly has offices, including the offices of Albert Kahn's own company. In 1988, the New Center Building was renamed the Albert Kahn Building to honor its designer.
Why These Buildings Are Important
The Fisher Building was built first, between 1927 and 1928. The New Center Building followed a bit later, from 1930 to 1931. The Fisher brothers had plans to build even more buildings in the New Center area. However, big events like the Great Depression and World War II stopped them.
Even so, the Fisher and New Center Buildings together are very important for their architecture. They show some of the best design and artwork from the Art Deco style. Because of their beauty and history, both buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Fisher Building received an even higher honor, becoming a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
