Penobscot Building - Photos (exterior)
Penobscot Building
A view at the east facade of the Penobscot Building on Griswold - Apr. 14, 2025
The building is named for the Penobscot, a Native American tribe from Maine. Native American motifs in art deco style ornamentation is used on the exterior and the interiors.
The Penobscot from a distance in October 2024
The Penobscot in October 2024
Detroit, Fort Street in Downtown - From left to right: 1) former Federal Reserve of Chicago branch, 2) Dime Building (aka Chrysler House), 3) Cadillac Tower (center left), 4) First National Building, 5) National Bank of Detroit Building, 6) Greater Penobscot, 7) Penobscot (first), 8) State Savings Bank - Photo from November 16, 2024
The Penobscot Building as seen from a distance in 2022
The Penobscot complex with the main (tallest) building on the left
There are actually three Penobscot buildings. The first is the 13-story building Murphy erected in 1905, though he died shortly before it opened. It was joined by a 24-story tower in 1916 built. The third, the 47-story tower known as the Greater Penobscot, was built at a cost of $5 million.
Native American motifs in art deco style ornamentation on the exterior
A view at the Penobscot tower from the 35th floor of the Stott Building - Picture taken on April 3, 2025
A view at the Penobscot tower from the 35th floor of the Stott Building - Picture taken on April 3, 2025
A view at the Penobscot tower from the 35th floor of the Stott Building - Picture taken on April 3, 2025
When completed in 1928, the Penobscot Building was the world's eighth tallest building. It was the city's tallest from 1928 to 1977.
Looking up - The Penobscot block (the 1905 Penobscot, the 1916 Penobscot Annex and the 1928 Penobscot Building), the Buhl Building and the backside of the Ford Building.
A sweeping view down Woodward Avenue from the rooftop of the new "AC Detroit at the Bonstelle" hotel on Oct. 15, 2024, with the upper reaches of the iconic Penobscot Building visible on the upper right.
A view at the Penobscot Building's east facade - Apr. 14, 2025
A view at the Penobscot Building's north facade - May. 21, 2025
May 21, 2025
The knob of the Penobscot has shined over Detroit for more than 80 years.
The Penobscot and Dime buildings at night
All three of the Penobscot buildings - the first is at center, the second at right and the final is the tall drink of water in back.
The Penobscot, center, with the Guardian Building at left.
The Penobscot, left, and Dime buildings stand proudly along Griswold Street.
More than 80 years after opening, the Penobscot remains a dominating fixture in Campus Martius.
The Penobscot as seen from the roof of the Guardian Building.
The Penobscot still dominates downtown's skyline.
A rare view of the Penobscot from the roof of the First National Building
Todd Farnum climbs the Penobscot's iconic beacon to change the bulbs in spring 2015.