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Self-Guided Walk Through Detroit’s Golden Age
8/31/2025Detroit is a city of contrasts, where Beaux-Arts gems meet Art Deco masterpieces, futuristic glass skyscrapers stand alongside historic landmarks and crumbling buildings, and the vibrant renaissance of the city is something locals are proud to celebrate. This summer, my wife and I decided to take a spontaneous weekend trip to Detroit, and I’d love to share our downtown walking itinerary, which takes roughly three hours to complete. The route goes through the city's famous core where you can take a glimpse into its rich history: from its golden age as the world’s automotive capital to its dramatic decline and inspiring rebirth.
Stop 1: Michigan Central Station.
Address: 2001 15th Street.
We began our walking route at Michigan Central Station where we parked our car after crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Canada. This place has long been on my bucket list. It's a Beaux-Arts masterpiece that opened in 1914 as the tallest rail station in the world. Designed by Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore - the same architects behind New York’s Grand Central Terminal - the station symbolized Detroit’s ambition during the City Beautiful movement. Its main waiting room, which was modelled after Roman baths, featured marble floors, bronze chandeliers, and 20 metre / 68 foot tall Corinthian columns. At its peak in the 1940s, more than 4,000 passengers passed through daily, including presidents and celebrities. After being abandoned in 1988, Michigan Central stood as a haunting ruin for 30 years.
It often symbolized the infamous decline of Detroit and would likely have been demolished if the city hadn’t declared bankruptcy in 2013. That’s why saving and restoring it became especially important - to demonstrate the city’s big comeback. Ford Motor Company invested nearly $950 million to revive it as a tech and cultural hub. It reopened its doors in June 2024.
A few walls still contain the scars of being covered with graffiti. Remnants of old artifacts like the original clock in the ticket lobby are also on the display. Experiencing these relics feels almost surreal, yet it becomes clear that it wasn’t bombings or natural disasters that led to this state of despair - it was neglect, indifference, and vandalism. You should definitely watch the movie "8 Mile" featuring Eminem to see what this place looked like in early 2000s.
Walk Down Michigan Avenue.
We chose to walk down Michigan Avenue towards downtown. Its absurdly wide expanse of three lanes in each direction reminds that Detroit was built with cars in mind, not for pedestrians, cyclists, or those taking public transit. However, this street helps better imagine the 1960s when Detroit was the wealthiest city in America, home to booming auto plants and two-car families.
We thought that the best way to "humanize" this street would be to add a green median and widen the sidewalks to extend restaurant patios to remove as many cars of possible. Having said that, despite its uncomfortable width, the street is already undergoing a revival with old buildings being converted into condominiums and new bars popping up.
Speaking of bars, Detroit seems to be buzzing with pedal bars: we spotted about a dozen of those slow-moving vehicles, hosting everything from complete strangers enjoying drinks together while enjoying the views to lively bachelorette parties.
A stone’s throw away from Michigan Avenue, there are many empty lots with neatly cut grass that used to be prime real estate. Starting in 2014, the city tore down "blight", around 20,000 vacant buildings that had long been abandoned, dangerously deteriorated, and often burned-out to ashes.
Stop 2: Book Tower.
Address: 1265 Washington Boulevard.
After a 30-minute walk, we reached the Book Tower. You can actually see this building from afar as it briefly held the title of the city’s tallest building. It's a 38-story marvellous Neo-Renaissance skyscraper completed in 1926 by architect Louis Kamper. The building was commissioned by the Book brothers to transform Washington Boulevard into Detroit’s "Fifth Avenue."
The highlight of the building, in my opinion, is the 29 caryatids or stone female figures that adorn the facade. Regrettably, we didn't go inside, although I've heard that it looks magnificent after it's finally been restored in 2022 after decades of vacancy.
Stop 3: David Whitney Building.
Address: 1 Park Avenue.
Across the street from the Book Tower and right next to Grand Circus Park is the David Whitney Building. This Neo-Renaissance gem was designed by Graham, Burnham & Co and completed in 1915. The building was named for lumber baron David Whitney Jr., one of Detroit’s wealthiest men. Its four-story atrium is what you must not miss to see: finished with terra cotta and marble, it once housed luxury shops and medical offices.
Like much of Detroit, the building declined mid-century but was reborn in 2014 as a boutique hotel and apartments after a rather costly restoration.
Stop 4: Penobscot Building.
Address: 645 Griswold Street.
A short walk from the David Whitney Building brought us to Penobscot Building. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland, this building was once the eighth-tallest building in the world. Its 47-story Art Deco tower dominated Detroit’s skyline for nearly 50 years. The setbacks, limestone facade, and Native American motifs reflect the era’s fascination with geometric design and cultural symbolism.
Stop 5: Guardian Building.
Address: 500 Griswold Street.
Just across the street is the Guardian Building, often called the "Cathedral of Finance." This is by far my favourite one! This building was completed in 1929, a mere days before the epic crash that preceded the Great Depression.
What can I say? Not much as you have to experience it for yourself. The building's exterior and especially interior is an explosion of colour and craftsmanship. Architect Wirt C. Rowland, the same one behind Penobscot Building, combined Art Deco with Mayan Revival motifs. The lobby is adorned with Pewabic tile, Rookwood pottery, and a Tiffany-designed clock. Its bold tangerine brick exterior and polychrome terra cotta were meant to amaze motorists.
Stop 6: The Spirit of Detroit.
Address: 2 Woodward Avenue.
We spent some time at Cadillac Square, mostly people-watching. The square was once home to Detroit’s original City Hall and Central Market in the 19th century.
Today, it’s a lively public space near The Spirit of Detroit, Marshall Fredericks’ 26-foot bronze statue completed in 1958. Interestingly, the statue was cast in Norway and it was the largest bronze statue since the Renaissance! Its left hand holds a golden sphere symbolizing god, and its right hand cradles a family representing human relationships. The inscription behind it reads: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". I think the motto still holds true for Detroit that has endured so much.
Stop 7: Renaissance Center.
Address: 400 Renaissance Center.
We headed towards the riverfront to reach the Renaissance Center. It's a massive cluster of seven glass towers completed in 1977 as "city within a city." The building was being built during Detroit's steep decline and the idea that Henry Ford II had was that the building would spark Detroit’s revival.
Well, I guess he didn't live to finally witness it as it wouldn't have happen until mid-2010s. Nevertheless, the Renaissance Center became the tallest building in Michigan and a symbol of modernity. Ironically, it houses not Ford's, but GM’s headquarters today. Inside, the building displays iconic vehicles in the GM World exhibit.
Stop 8: Detroit People Mover.
The Detroit People Mover isn’t actually a final stop. It takes you to more places as it loops around downtown. This elevated light rail is an architectural gem in its own right, and I’ll cover it in a separate article.
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