Art deco architecture, popular in the 1920s, is a common sight downtown. The Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., is a prominent example of the style. Commissioned by the Fishers, seven brothers who had made their fortune in the automobile industry, the 28-story building was constructed with luxury in mind. Visitors can peek inside to find a 44-foot-high arcade, covered with bronze, gold leaf and marble.
Rising to 40 stories at 500 Griswold St., the Guardian Building is a taller example of art deco grandeur. Built to serve as headquarters for the Union Trust Company, the Guardian symbolized the wealth pouring into the city at the time. Typical of the art deco style, the building contains a mix of building elements, including granite, glazed tile and terra cotta. Its entrances are lined with colorful locally produced tiles. The main areas of the building are open to visitors.
Unlike the art deco buildings, which celebrated everything new and modern, the Wayne County Courthouse, 600 Randolph St., was a throwback to past traditions. As Detroit's population surged at the end of the 19th century, it needed a larger building to house its courts. Designed in a neo-classical style, which usually reflects influences from ancient Greece and Rome, it is an imposing building.
Henry Ford worked at the courthouse when he was the county's roads commissioner, and legendary attorney Clarence Darrow argued an obscenity trial in one of its courtrooms. Most government employees work in newer buildings now, but thanks to preservation efforts, this public building is still functional.
The Greektown district has been a destination for Detroit residents for decades. The neighborhood was developed by German immigrants in the 1830s. As immigration from Greece increased at the turn of the century, the flavor of the area changed. Since then, Greek-owned restaurants, stores and other businesses have drawn people from all over the city.
Most of the Greek business owners now live elsewhere, but the neighborhood has played host to many waves of immigrants from other countries. The Victorian-era buildings have seen many changes, but the area has consistently been a symbol for the importance of immigrant cultures to the city. The historic district is along Monroe Street, between Brush and St. Antoine Streets. It is a commercial strip with a number of shops and restaurants.
