Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Ford Building - Photos

The Griswold Street entrance in early morning

Since new owners acquired the 23-story building in 2017, the Ford Building was given a modernized entry and lobby with glass turnstiles and a new canopy.

The historic Ford Building was once the headquarters of the Ford Glass Company. An article in the March 22, 1908, Free Press celebrating the building’s approaching completion explained that the Fords turned to investing in Detroit only after becoming disgusted with some Toledo property owners who kept raising prices on them after they agreed to purchase.

The W Congress St. elevation of the Ford Building

The backside of the Ford as seen from Congress St.

Building renovations began November of 2017 and continued through 2018.

The Ford Building with the Penobscot to the right and the Penobscot Annex to the left

A detail of the Ford Building's terra cotta facade

The Griswold Street entrance in the evening

Some of Burnham's classical details on the Ford Building's exterior

The Ford Building in 2009

The Ford Building opened in 1909.

The Griswold Street entrance

The Ford building in downtown is constructed with a steel skeleton faced with Terra cotta tile and accented with white Italian marble.

The backside of the Ford Building in 2023