Historic Detroit

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Kean Apartments

The Kean is an impressive Art Deco apartment tower designed by Charles Noble in 1931. Noble also designed the Lee Plaza and the Elwood Bar and Grill).

The main structure is brick. The front entrance is decorated with orange Terra Cotta, inset medallions, and Corinthian columns. The roof is tiled, and edged with a red and white checkerboard pattern and a bunch gargoyles.

The Kean was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. With the onset of the Great Depression, this was the last of the large residential apartments built along Jefferson until well after World War II.

More on this building coming soon.

Last updated 11/03/2023