Globe Tobacco Building

The Globe Tobacco Building is a six-story brick structure in downtown Detroit featuring large arched windows and pilasters that run from the first through fourth floors. The building was designed for large-scale tobacco production and displays the architectural style of the late 1880s.

The Globe Tobacco Company was founded in 1871 and moved into this building in 1888, growing to become one of Detroit's major factories. By 1892 production had grown so large that it drove a significant share of the city's economy.

The building represents Detroit's industrial past, when tobacco manufacturing became the city's largest industry in the 1890s and employed thousands of workers. The facade with its large arched windows still speaks to the labor and craftsmanship that defined this factory.

The building is located in Detroit's historic downtown and is within walking distance of other sights in the area. After renovations in 2014 it now serves business tenants, but visitors can admire its historical facade from the outside.

The building was reportedly the first factory in the United States to use electricity as a power source for tobacco manufacturing. This innovation made production faster and more efficient compared to most other factories of that era.

Location: Detroit

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.33306,-83.04278

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05