Toledo, Ohio, glass manufacturer Edward Ford and his son, John B. Ford, general manager of the Fords' Wyandotte, Michigan, alkali plant, had this building—then Detroit's tallest—constructed as an investment property.[3]
Architecture
Designed by Daniel Burnham, the building began construction in 1907 and was completed in 1908. It celebrated its 100th year in 2009, and was one of the first to use a steel structural support system.[citation needed] It stands at 23 stories in total height, with two basement floors, 19 above-ground floors, and two penthouses. It held the title as tallest building in Detroit from 1908 until 1913. The Ford Building's primary uses are for offices and retail. Burnham styled it with Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance elements. It is constructed with a steel skeleton faced with terra cotta tile and accented with white Italian marble. Burnham's other remaining skyscraper designs in Detroit include the David Whitney Building (1915) and the Dime Building (1912).[4]
^Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) (2013–2017). Michigan SP Detroit Financial District. File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Michigan, 1964 - 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)