Building Information
Street Address: 211 West Fort StreetYear Built: 1965
Architect: Harley Ellington Cowan & Stirton
Style: International
Area: Downtown
History
This Detroit skyscraper is a fairly typical example of the International Style that was made popular at the time by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building in New York City (1958). 211 West Fort Street exhibits the same rigorous rhythm of exterior windows and suggested structural system. The exaggerated height lobby level is set back from the street creating a street level courtyard/plaza. Although the plaza is not as generous in size as the Seagram Building, it still achieves the same goal by creating a “publicly owned private spaces” urban design feature.
