Penobscot Building

Albert Kahn Built 1928 500 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Art Deco 90%
Skyscraper 70%

The Penobscot Building is an iconic skyscraper in Detroit that served as a symbol of the city's architectural innovation during the early 20th century. With its distinct Art Deco features, it remains one of the tallest buildings in Michigan.

Architectural Styles

Art Deco

90%

The Art Deco style manifests prominently in the building's geometric forms, decorative motifs, and elegant wing-like architectural details.

Geometric patterns
Streamlined forms
Ornamental detailing
Vertical lines
Stylized facade

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Skyscraper

70%

As a skyscraper, the Penobscot Building showcases the verticality and height that typify urban architecture of its time, rising prominently in the Detroit skyline.

Tall stature
Vertical emphasis
Steel frame construction
Open floor plans
Large windows

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Notable Features

Art Deco spire
Decorative cornice
Intricate masonry work

Historical Context

Built in the late 1920s, during Detroit's economic boom, the Penobscot Building exemplifies the bold ambitions of the era in American architecture and demonstrates the shift towards skyscraper design.