Detroit Architecture : A.I.A Guide

by Eric J. Hill, John Gallagher, Katherine Meyer Meyer

Detroit A.I.A. Guide (Revised)

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this is a great guide to Detroit's architecture—and who better to publish such a guide than the AIA, at that? My only complaints are that while very comprehensive in geographic scope—most of the city and its immediate environs are well-covered here—there is not enough detail on some major buildings. Indeed, the authors seem to feel each building merits a paragraph and every structure was created equal whereas I think some of the major ones like the Eaton Tower, Book Tower or Ameritech Building really deserve pages unto themselves, even if that means leaving out some of the less-important buildings. Still, this book is to be admired for its inclusion of vernacular architecture and the diversity it attempts to present plus the level of scholarship of its authors. The photography is black-and-white but good quality and will help you identify the buildings while wandering around Detroit. If you're planning a trip though to Detroit and seriously interested in the architecture, I'd sit down with this book and Google Earth a few hours one night and look at Google Street View first and kind of map things out in your mind: you'll appreciate much better how the city evolved then and see some jewels that didn't make it into the book, too, probably.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I found gorgeous areas of Detroit I never knew existed and learned more about buildings I'd admired for years. For those of you who think of Detroit as a wasteland, buy this book and use it to explore. There are sooo many stunning buildings (albeit many in disrepair) that'll I'm convinced you'll change your mind. Of course, so many buildings are being torn down now in favor of rebuilding cheaper apartments (i.e. brush park), that it'll quickly be a historical book instead of a walking guide. Get there, use this book as a guide, and fall in love with this much undervalued city!

[Rick B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needs an update to include the marvelous restoration work taking place in the city. Also missing are some key sites like the Alger Theater and St. Matthew Catholic Church on the East Side.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable yet scholarly, AIADetroit is an excellent overview of the Motor City’s cultural patrimony. It is slightly out-of-date: I’ve stayed at the renovated Fort Shelby hotel listed as endangered (yay!); Tiger Stadium, also listed as endangered, was demolished in 2008-9 (boo!).