#aztecdeco

Up close with Detroit's Cathedral of Finance. #Detroit #DowntownDetroit #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #MayanRevival #Modernism #JazzAge #Skyscraper #WirtRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark (at Guardian Building) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPwxoWKji9m/?utm_medium=tumblr

It's been a minute since I've posted some Art Deco, and being that April is World Art Deco Month, I find there is no better representation of the venerable style in the entire state of Michigan than the iconic Guardian Building. With its innovations in technology and design, the Guardian, perhaps like no other building of the era, is as indicative of the boldness of the Jazz Age. #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #MayanRevival #Modernism #JazzAge #Skyscraper #WirtRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark (at Guardian Building) https://www.instagram.com/p/COEg42VjYSz/?igshid=1o23w7gul90no

Feliz Navidad. 🎄 #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #Modernism #WirtCRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #InteriorThursdays #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark #HappyHolidays #MerryChristmas #FelizNavidad #HappyHanukkah (at Guardian Building) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QwXOAlnx8/?igshid=19fptqh9xyzf8

A very special anniversary for very special building occurred yesterday. On April 2, 1929, the Union Trust Building, now Guardian Building, formally opened to the public. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland, chief designer of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, for the Union Trust Company, simply put, this is one of the country's greatest buildings, in any category. It is also a building that yours truly has a great affinity for. I have had the pleasure of given tours of this magnificent structure to hundreds, maybe even thousands, of visitors and I have learned much doing so. For those of you who have somehow never visited Detroit, the Guardian should be at the top of your to-do list. Here's to another 90 years and beyond. #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #Modernism #WirtCRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #BrickStory #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark #GalaxyS10 #withGalaxy (at Guardian Building) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvyyk8LAbN5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z73selqqbqin

On the south wall of the banking lobby of the Union Trust (Guardian) Building is a grand, six-story mural by Traverse City-born artist Ezra Augustus Winter (1886 - 1949). The mural depicts the L. P. (Lower Peninsula) of Michigan and the various industries that played a role in the state's economy (manufacturing, agriculture, mining, etc.). Prominently featured at the center of the mural is a allegorical female figure holding a cornucopia in each hand and emitting rays of light to the different regions of the state. A very powerful work of art. Other notable murals by Winter include "The Fountain of Youth", located in the foyer of Radio City Music Hall in New York and Thomas Jefferson and "Canterbury Tales", located in the John Adams Building of the Library of Congress. #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #Modernism #EzraWinter #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #ModMondayz #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark #NikonD3400 #NikonNoFilter https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn0C-stAvlm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4bwfm5lxkoag

With so much architectural brilliance to behold inside the magnificent Guardian Building, it's easy to miss some of the subtle details. One such detail can be found in the main lobby. Take a look at the design of the tilework surrounding the large, arched window above the Congress Street entrance. This design is actually that of a Native American headdress, a continuation of the building's Pre-Columbian theme. #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #MayanRevival #PreColumbian #Skyscraper #WirtCRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #InteriorThursdays #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #IGersDetroit #detroit_igers #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #SceneFromDetroit #ThisDetroitLife (at Guardian Building)

For those of us in the Detroit area who enjoy modern architecture, Detroit Modernism Week is a time to rejoice. Running May 3 - 12, it is a celebration of all things modern. This includes architecture, furniture, home decor and more. Modernism is usually defined as the period beginning in the early 20th century to the 1960s, encompassing a gamut of styles including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, International Style, Bauhaus etc. Detroit was at the forefront of this movement, thanks to a host of artisans and architects like Mary Chase Perry Stratton (co-founder of Pewabic Pottery), Albert Kahn, Wirt C. Rowland, the Saarinens (Eliel and Eero), Minoru Yamasaki and many others. Though technically not a part of DMW, yours truly will be leading tours of the Guardian Building this Sunday at 12 and 2. Hopefully, I will see some of you then. For more information on Detroit Modernism Week, visit the Detroit Area Art Deco Society website at daads.org. #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #MayanRevival #PreColumbian #Modernism #WirtCRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #InteriorThursdays #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit313 #DepictTheD #VisitDetroit #Michiganders #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter #NationalHistoricLandmark (at Guardian Building)

This Saturday, join @puredetroit313 for tours of the one-of-a-kind "Cathedral of Finance" and more. Start times are 11, 1 & 3 and are completely free. Oh yeah, leading them will be me. Hope to see you there! #Detroit #Downtown #FinancialDistrict #ArtDeco #AztecDeco #MayanRevival #WirtCRowland #SmithHinchmanandGrylls #GriswoldStreet #archi_ologie #InteriorThursdays #RawDetroit #PureMichigan #PureMittigan #MotorCityShooters #PureDetroit #PureDetroit313 #Michiganders #IGersDetroit #detroit_igers #ThisPlaceMatters #ThisPlaceMattersDetroit #MichiganPlacesMatter (at Guardian Building)