Old Wayne County Building (Detroit, Michigan)

 office building, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, 1902_construction, Beaux-Arts (architecture)

Detroit architect John Scott designed the building which stands 5 floors at 600 Randolph Street. Constructed from 1897 to 1902, it may be the nation's finest surviving example of Roman Baroque architecture, with a blend of Beaux-Arts and some elements of the neo-classical architectural style.

It was built using copper, granite, and stone. The exterior architectural sculpture, including the Anthony Wayne pediment was executed by Detroit sculptor Edward Wagner. The bronze sculpture, two quadrigas, Victory and Progress and four figures on the tower, Law, Commerce, Agriculture, and Mechanics, were made by New York sculptor J. Massey Rhind. The building originally housed all county offices. When the new City-County Building opened in 1957, most offices moved there.

After many years of decline, the building was restored in 1988 and the County Commission, County Executive and some other offices returned.

Originally, the building faced Detroit City Hall which stood three blocks west at Cadillac Square and Woodward Avenue. info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=67&category...