Book Tower (Detroit, Michigan)

 office building, Neoclassical (architecture), NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, interesting place, 1926_construction

The Book Tower, built in 1926 and the Book Building, built in 1917 were both designed by Detroit-based architect, Louis Kamper who also designed the nearby Book Cadillac Hotel. A third tower at the south end of the block was originally planned to be close to 81 stories, which would have made it the tallest building in Detroit, about 10 stories taller than the Renaissance Center. Due to the Great Depression, the plan was scrapped. The 13-story Book Building's most prominent feature is the 12 nude caryatid cornice brackets. The graffiti on this building is known as Book Marks.

In April 2007, the electric service to the building was shut off because the owners owed several months' payments. An agreement was reached, although the property passed to a series of owners and maintenance was neglected. In January 2009, the building's last tenant relocated.

After being purchased in 2015 by Bedrock, it was restored by ODA Architects.

www.booktowerdetroit.com/
www.oda-architecture.com/projects/book-tower
www.freep.com/article/20090106/COL27/90106063