The lobby of the David Whitney office building is one of the most unique spaces
in Detroit.
David Charles Whitney built the David Whitney office building to honour his
father. The 19-story building was commissioned in 1914, opening a year later with
an opulent central light court, a four story atrium of white marble, terra cotta
corbels and balconies ringed with retail arcades. The atrium was roofed by
a skylight lined with light bulbs. Above the retail spaces around the atrium,
offices were filled with doctors, dentists and other professionals.
Architectural tastes change over time and in 1959, the decorative exterior bands
of detailed terra cotta were replaced with white brick. The building took on a clean,
modern look.
Along with the rest of downtown, the building began to lose tenants in the late
1970s. The last tenant left in 2000. The building remained vacant, even though the
utilities were still in good working order. All is not lost. Owners are in the process
of renovation and conversion to a boutique hotel.
