WJBK-TV Studios Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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WJBK-TV Studios Building
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | 7441 Second Ave. Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1956 |
| Architect | John L. Volk |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000180 |
| Added to NRHP | April 19, 2016 |
The WJBK-TV Studios Building is a special broadcasting building located in Detroit, Michigan. You can find it at 7441 Second Avenue. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, which means it's an important historical site.
It's unique because it's the only building in Detroit designed by a famous architect named John L. Volk. He was known for his work in Palm Beach, Florida. Today, the building is owned by Halcor Studio Live LLC.
Contents
The Story of the WJBK-TV Studios
How WJBK Started
The story of WJBK began with a radio station in Detroit. Later, in 1947, a company called Fort Industry Broadcasting received a license to start a television station. This company later became known as Storer Communications.
On October 24, 1948, WJBK-TV began broadcasting on Channel 2 in Detroit. It was connected with CBS, a major TV network. WJBK-TV was actually the third television station to start broadcasting in Detroit.
Moving to a New Home
When WJBK-TV first started, it broadcasted from the Detroit Masonic Temple. But by 1956, the station needed its own dedicated space. George B. Storer, who owned the station, asked his friend John L. Volk to design a new studio building. Volk had designed many buildings for Storer before.
The new building was finished in 1956, and WJBK-TV moved all its operations there. This became the main place where their TV shows were made.
Shows Made Here
Many different shows were produced by Storer right inside this building. This included their daily news programs, a children's show called Sagebush Shorty, and even the popular horror host show Sir Graves Ghastly. It was a busy place, full of creativity and broadcasting.
A New Chapter for the Building
By 1971, WJBK-TV had grown too big for the studio. They moved to a newer, larger building in Southfield. The Detroit building was then sold to WTVS, Detroit's public television station (Channel 56), for $750,000.
WTVS used the building until 2009. After that, it was sold to the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, a group that helps young people through theater. Mosaic used the building until 2014, when it was sold again to a developer.
What the Building Looks Like
Outside the Studio
The former WJBK-TV Studios Building is a two-story building made of red brick. It's designed in a style called Georgian Revival. This style often includes classic details. The building has special limestone trim and brick corners called quoins.
The front of the building has a part that sticks out in the middle. This section has a main entrance with a limestone frame and columns on either side. These columns are called Ionic columns. On both sides of the entrance, and on the second floor above it, there are evenly spaced aluminum windows. These windows have six small panes on the top and six on the bottom. Above the second floor, there's a tall decorative band, a classic ledge, and a triangle-shaped section with an oval window in the center.
Inside the Studio
The inside of the building is split into two main parts. One part is for offices and administrative work. The other part is for the actual TV studios.
The office area has a long, rectangular entrance lobby and a waiting room. These areas are decorated with cypress wood panels. In the middle of this section, there's a large, two-story staircase that curves smoothly. The studio part of the building has two main studio spaces and a control room. The studio areas were designed to be flexible, so they could be divided up to hold different sets for various shows at the same time.
