If you’re walking downtown you’ll notice a tall building that will gravitate you to walk towards it so you do. Then you notice that there’s some nice etchings on the side of the building and how pristine it looks. Then you step inside and your jaw drops to the floor with how stunning it is inside as well. The building is one of the nicest decorated buildings I’ve ever been into. Especially one that’s done in an Art Deco Fashion. The coffee place inside is also nice and affordable !
Perhaps the most beautiful atrium I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Just absolutely breathtaking and local. You have to see it to know. Unless your name is Gibran, you probably can’t adequately describe how breathtaking the views are in here.
An Art Deco masterpiece. Clearly they are used to people wandering in to take photos as none of the security even batted an eye in my direction as I was looking around. Celebrating their 90th birthday with historical posters in the lobby. Definitely worth checking out if youre an architectural nerd, like me.
I took my 4 & 9 year old kids here not knowing if they would appreciate the architecture and design. To my surprise they loved being inside this beautiful building. We sat an enjoyed faygos and a cronut from the coffee shop upstairs. We took some time to visit the other shops. Everyone was so friendly and helpful to answer our questions and giggle at the kids. Grateful this historic gem is open to the public.
Stunningly beautiful architecture a beautiful location for a wedding.
One of my favorite buildings downtown. The tile work and the unique canvas ceiling that mimics the design of the tile are one of a kind. As central to the Detroit skyline as the Chrysler building or Empire State Building in New York City.
One of the most beautiful buildings Ive ever been in. We did the free tour with Pure Detroit - excellent your, 1.5 hours, our guide ( I forget his name :() was so knowledgeable. Loved every minute of it. Must see in Detroit!
Simply awesome design, architecture, construction and all in amazing condition. Utilize your time to visit this place.
The artistry is so beautiful, original and magnificent.
Any visitor to Detroit owes themselves a visit to this beautiful building. The architecture is breathtaking.
Beautiful architecture... Worth your time to check it out.
Amazing architecture and decorative details on both the inside and outside of the building. If you are looking for a historic building and an example of the unique early Detroit style, you definitely need to check it out.
Amazing art deco building built in 1929. A Detroit gem. First floor is open to the public and holds a bank, a coffee shop and some stores. Gorgeous mural, and tile work on the ceiling. Definitely worth a short tour.
Its one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city.
Pros: Beautiful building, architecture and history. Tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and clearly enjoys what he does.Cons: Tour groups are too large. Couldnt hear half of what the tour guide was saying. Small children crying, which didnt make it any easier to hear.Would I visit again? YesWould I recommend? Yes
Beautiful and historic building in the heart of downtown. Art deco with an Aztec theme. Tours offered by several companies.
Wow! Missed this stop last year. Fantastic architecture. Very colorful. Rivals the top architectural sites anywhere. I wish more people could appreciate this sort of site.
Beautiful and interesting building. Free tours are available, which explain the fascinating history of the building. We loved it.
Worth taking a tour of. Right in downtown Detroit. The guide gives you a detailed history of the building and the city. The building is packed with details you wouldnt notice on your own, and there are a lot of interesting facts about the building. The tour ends with a really awesome view of the grand boardroom and and observation deck. It gives you an excellent view from within downtown Detroit. The guide is really knowledgable about places to eat and things to see in downtown Detroit also.
If you want to see Art Deco architecture in a Native American design this lobby is the place. We spent over an hour here just gazing at the ceiling, light fixtures, and back walls of this building. Just take a peek inside and be amazed.
Now I know why people come here from all over the world to see the archetecture! Fantastic way to welcome visitors to Detroit AND Michigan. Easy to reserve a free spot online. There is also a $5 walking tour when the weather is nicer. Dress appropriately...you are outside for 10 minutes or so. Views from the 32nd floor great.
I love to just sit and look at the building and all the work put into it
If you love artistically decorated inanimate monoliths, this is your huckleberry.But seriously though, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Detroit. A truly beautiful example of art deco design
Great old architecture. Glad to see D-town saving these gems.
Beautiful skyscraper and gem. The main lobby and bank is gorgeous, decorated with pewabic tile in Mayan Revival architecture and art deco, beautiful marble, and two Tiffany clocks. Check out Pure Detroit for free one hour tours every Saturday...great time learning the history of this magnificent building.
Walked into the Guardian Building and were blown away by its beauty. You can take a FREE guided tour and learn all kinds of amazing facts about the architecture of the building or simply walk in and have a tour of the bottom on your own for free. Either way, it was a neat thing to see in Detroit. The Guardian Building is a landmark skyscraper in the United States, located at 500 Griswold Street in Downtown Detroit, Michigan, within the Financial District. PS. They have a great gift shop too!
Incredible piece of Detroit history. An iconic example of art deco architecture and through the pure Detroit tour, you get to go to one of the upper floors and enjoy fantastic views of downtown. Even if you dont take the tour stop into the lobby of the building and check out the beautiful designs and pure Detroit store.
The Guardian Building is definitely a building that all architecture fans should visit. They offer free informative tours that provide a lesson of rich history of this historical landmark.
Gorgeous skyscraper. Stunning views from the top. Needs to have Observation Decks at both towers. The architecture and the brick work inside and out is intricatr, detailed, complex and impressive. Over 4.8 million bricks, and the construction of the skyscraper in less than 3 years is astounding. Will be back again for another visit. Truly this Museum in the sky is one of Detroits hidden gems. It needs national exposure.
What a beautiful building! No wonder its a historical landmark! The inside is so ornate and well lit. You can walk in and just look around. Its stunning and only a few minutes walk from the hub of downtown eateries!
Go see it! So gorgeous, a feast for the art deco eyes
Absolutely beautiful building and everyone inside is so nice. The great grandson is there now repainting the interior ceiling. Worth a stop in.
BEAUTIFUL!!!! The Union Trust - Guardian Building was nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance when it opened in 1929. Wirt Rowland, the building’s architect had full control of the $12 million dollar project. The lobby’s ceiling is covered in colorful Rookwood tile. The banking floor features March Chase Stratton’s Pewabic tiles and Atlantic terra cotta from NY State as well as an interesting blend of imported tiles from Europe. At the end of the hall is a 5-story mural featuring allegorical references to Michigan industry. The Monel metal grill houses a Tiffany clock. If ur in the area, it’s totally worth popping in for a peek.
Very incredible building. Awesome to see a spot that’s been refurbished to such a degree.
Beautiful building! Went for a tour.
Absolutely GORGEOUS. The history is super cool too.
Take a tour. A lot of history and interesting facts to learn from this building! The views from the 32nd are spectacular!
A lovely art deco building in Downtown Detroit. Great tile work. An original Tiffany clock. Amazing Michigan mural.
Beautiful building. A must see.
Beautiful building integrated into the history of Detroit. The the tour is worthwhile but know that some of it is outside. The views of the city, the river, and Canada are lovely.
Astoundingly beautiful building, fall in love with human achievement. Aside: met two of the finest, kindest, most intelligent young men working in the gift shop there. Detroit, you have some beautiful sons.
Simply impressive. It is a great reminder how wealthy Detroit once used to be.
Went inside to get out of the sun. Nice building with cool interior art.
Beautiful architecture; definitely worth a visit. There is a bank branch and local coffee shop plus there are plenty of seats to be able to take in the space. And, there is a Detroit focused gift shop to get all your souvenirs. Definitely a piece of Detroit history!
Spectacular. The Cathedral of Finance. An art deco skyscraper from the golden age of Detroit. Built in 1929 just before the Great Depression the Guardian Building is still spectacular inside and out. Make sure to look at the exterior closely to see the incredible and never to be duplicated details. Inside, it feels like being in a European church. Visit the shops and services and extend your enjoyment.
What a lovely building from the outside and truly beautiful from the inside. The fee tour run by Pure Detroit (in the building) is well worth it. The views arent great, but thats not the buildings fault
Very beautiful building an historic to the city of detroit
Absolutely gorgeous, if you come to Detroit for a visit, make sure to fit this in your schedule. Guided tours are offered on weekends only; if you don’t have a guide, visiting this building won’t take longer than 10 min.
Rude staff. Keep in mind you have to sign in and out of the building. I also did not know they walk you to the elevator push the button and then exit as the doors close. How bizarre. As far as I know my fingers work and I have a fully functional brain if I was told which floor I was going to Id be more then equipped to push the button myself. I did not sign out I did not want to deal with the rude staff again. I literally signed the log in sheet and the staff behind the desk stood up and walked away. I looked at the other staff member sitting in the desk chair beside her and said am I supposed to be following her? She replied YES. SO WEIRD. Please assume your supposed to know whats going on. I am NOT A MIND READER.
The building is gorgeous, especially if you like art deco. Its a great piece of Detroit history, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the building and local history.
Amazing Art Deco lobby! Also check out gift shop/bookstore inside.
One of the greatest Art Deco buildings in Detroit!
Beautiful architecture and history with a bank of America inside.
The stunning Mayan Revival architecture is truly a sight to see while in Detroit. The beautifully-colored tile ceilings and Art Deco metal-work and clock make this building really unique and a wonder that will wow even a casual observer.
Amazing Building !!! The Tour we took of this Historical place was quite astonishing. So glad it was refurbished and is being well maintained. Thanks to all involved with its Preservation! !
Inside & out, the buildings colors and architecture are jaw dropping. The lobby has exquisite elevator halls & entrances you must see dedicated to all subjects finance. Luckily you are also allowed to take photos in the bank in the center of the building where the mural, original Tiffany clock, decorated ceiling, and unique bricked walls are located as long as you take no pics of the bank itself.
One of the must visit places in downtown Detroit. The free tour offered by pure detroit even takes u to the top floors for an exquisite view
Beautiful Art Deco building! Ive never seen tile work like this before.
Definitely worth the time to walk through this building. The views and history are amazing
The most incredible architecture. So unique.
Awesome building with really interesting Architecture and details!You have to do the group tour around noon!
A beautiful holiday ambience with wonderful smiling faces.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful! I love art deco and this building did not diappoint.
Amazing Gem of late 1920s architecture. A joy to get to see.
Incredible art deco skyscraper a must see in Detroit
A grand old (being renovated) building.
Amazing! Take the free tour with Pure MI.
Beautiful building. lot of history. I recommend signing up for the Pure Detroit tour. a tour guide does the entire building tour for free. they also do the Fisher building and maybe the city. worth look into it if you are planning to visit.
Beautiful art deco style. They dont make buildings like that anymore.
The interior of this building is so amazing. I am glad I found it.
Beautiful building, with a unique architectural style. It has a bank along with some other stores inside
Wonderful building. Architecture is eye dropping. Has little store inside.
Very cool art deco style! Must see when visiting Detroit.
Gorgeous art deco mayan revival architecture skyscraper in the heart of the financial district in Detroit, MI. The attention to detail is absolutely stunning and must be experienced first hand
Excellent tour, led by an urban planner and sponsored by Pure Detroit. Extensive, engaging talk on the history, architecture, and multiple uses of this building. Tour included an elevator ride to the 32nd floor and photo opps.
Incredible art downtown Detroit with a couple of wonderful little lunch and munch places set in this art nouveau temple
Stunning interior, with a few stores. Definitely worth popping in to.
Very neat if you like art-deco architecture. Their lobby is open to the public and has a gift shop
This place is phenomenal the history and actual building is very impressive. Had a tasty hot chocolate.
Masterpiece! Watch your step. Youll be looking at this ornate architectural wonder so much...you might trip.
Everything Art Deco about this building, I love it and its always my first place to see when Im in Detroit.
Beautiful place.
Great atmosphere but the staff does not take care of the customer properly
Breathtakingly beautiful Art Deco building in the heart of downtown Detroit. Stunning interior with mosaics, stained & leaded glass panels, mosaic marble floors, etc. Retail Concourse also has incredible architecture & vaulted ceilings. Worth a visit just to savour the talent & craftsmanship of a bygone era. Beautiful.
A slightly dated but beautiful building from the early 1900s. Built with a blank check from the banks, the interior is both reminiscent of a cathedral while also retaining the acoustics and feel necessary to serve its original intention as a place of commerce. Has a little cafe and a made in Detroit store for some unique Detroit swag.
Detroit has many beautiful buildings built in the early 20th century. However, nothing compares to The Guardian. One of the most gorgeous buildings in the US. The design, attention to detail, and history is absolutely astounding. The building will have you memorized, mouth gaping and in complete awe. Inside the main atrium is a local shop called Pure Detroit. Grab a Faygo and sign up for the free tour. The tour takes you to the 32nd floor and gives amazing views of the city, river, and Canada. Youll get an amazing run down of the buildings history, as well as some Detroit history to boot. Great Lakes Coffee Roasters offers a great cup of coffee, Wich you can enjoy as you discover all the amazing details that sorround you. Absolutely do not skip this building if in Detroit.
Very nice employee
Incredible building with history. Highly recommend the Pure Detroit tour!
Very informative tour. Tour guide very knowledgeable. Despite the weather the views from the 33rd floor were great
It was amazing inside of the building. It looks like Church from inside. This is one of the best architectural building in Detroit. It is worth to visit. I was joined One of the Detroit architecture tour to visited it.
Cool building, very good tour! Tour went to the 32nd floor which wouldve been impossible if we were walking around by ourselves.
Gorgeous building with a long history. Catch a free tour on weekends starting at the Pure Detroit store in the retail level.
Absolutely beautiful! Love the art deco architecture. Definitely a gem.
This is one beautiful piece of arcutectur! This is a shot from the basement safe from the bank that was once housed there.
With this building its all about the interior. It was a weekday so visitors only have access to the lobby and atrium. It was very nice though, resembling the interior of a cathedral. Hopefully someday we could come back on the weekend so we could avail of the tour. We noticed workers seemed to be preparing some displays/info about the building. Hopefully this gives weekday visitor a bit more to do instead of just taking pictures without learning anything about the place.