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-THE BITCOIN BORACAY ISLAND LIFE-

The American Union Trust Building, now known as the Guardian Building, is one of the most iconic early skyscrapers in Detroit City. Located at 500 Griswold Street, in downtown Detroit. This building, constructed in 1928, is a standout example of the Art Deco styles, designed by architect Wirt C. Rowland. Its design and significance have made it a prominent fixture in Detroit City's skyline and a key piece of the city’s architectural history.

Historical Overview:

Constructed in 1928, the Guardian Building (originally the Union Trust Building) is a landmark skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Located within the financial district, the structure was built by the Union Trust Company, however their occupancy was short lived after the market collapse of 1929. An attempt at reorganization led to the Union Guardian Trust Company, hence the structure became known as the Guardian Building. In World War II, with Detroit's factories converted from manufacturing automobiles, the Guardian Building became the US Army Command Center for war time production. Housing a variety of companies in the years that followed, today the offices of Wayne County.

Key Points and Architectural Significance:

The striking architecture of the Guardian Building was intended to make the structure a standout in the 1920s, and it's arguably even more of a standout today. Nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance, the Guardian Building is a prime example of Art Deco architecture. With streamline moderne designs and Native American and Aztec influences, the building was intentionally designed using warmer tones to differentiate itself from other Detroit skyscrapers. Rising 36 stories, it combines brickwork with tile, limestone, and terra cotta embellishments. Inside, brightly colored tiles in geometric patterns optimistically shine on the entrance ceiling. Numerous artisans worked on the Guardian Building, including muralist Ezra Winter and Mary Chase Perry Stratton, founder of Pewabic Pottery.

Symbolism in Materials:

Union Trust gave Rowland full authority to develop a decorative concept that would give the bank a strong and secure impression, and Rowland accepted the challenge by decorating the front door with a central figure symbolizing progress, flanked by three large panels representing agriculture, transportation, and industry. Symbolic stone figures on either side of the entrance represent the strength and security of the banking institution, and the arch above the side entrance completes the theme with a beehive (symbolizing economy and industry), an eagle symbolizing money, and a winged scepter symbolizing power and commerce. The massive vaulted ceiling of the main entrance hall repeats the hive theme with bright ceramic tiles. The composition, consisting of columns of imported travertine marble, and walls of Mankato Limestone, Nomad marble, and Noir Belge (Belgian black) marble, gives the feeling of a changing landscape of colors, enhanced by elevator doors, teller desks, and ornaments made of shiny nickel- Monel.

Influence on Future Architecture:

The Guardian Building is often considered a precursor to the fully developed Art Deco style that dominated architecture in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. Wirt Rowland's design sense, displayed in this building, was later applied to his other projects. The Guardian Building is a unique brick skyscraper whose skyline offers Art Deco symmetry.

Legacy and Preservation:

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and is now owned by Wayne County, ensuring its preservation as an essential part of the city's architectural history. It has become a cherished part of the Detroit skyline and remains a favorite subject for photographers and architects for its stark yet playful depictions of Native American art from the area.

Conclusion:

The Guardian Building is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, and the building is a prime example of how industrial symbolism and modern aesthetics can blend into an architectural masterpiece. Its use of lavish materials and refined geometric units, along with its early adoption of the Art Deco style, make it an important forerunner of many of Detroit’s iconic buildings. Its conversion into a variety of businesses and offices in the 21st century has allowed the building to retain its place in the city’s history and future, and to continue to serve as a symbol of Detroit’s architectural evolution.

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