Harvard Square Center, Beaux-Arts building in Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Harvard Square Center is a twelve-story Beaux-Arts building in downtown Detroit located on Broadway Street. The facade displays symmetrical proportions, classical columns, and Romanesque arches that create visual definition across its exterior surfaces.
The building was completed in 1925 during a period of rapid economic growth in Detroit as the automobile industry transformed the city. This era brought forth numerous new office and commercial structures that reflected the confidence of a growing metropolis.
The building sits within a neighborhood shaped by early commercial structures and shows how business owners and merchants wanted to display their success in the early 1900s. The formal design and classical details reflect the confidence that Detroit's trading community sought to project to visitors and clients.
The building is located in a central area with good pedestrian accessibility and sits near bus stops and other urban amenities. Viewing from the street and surrounding areas provides the best way to appreciate the architectural details of the exterior from different angles.
The building merges two distinct architectural languages together: the geometric lines of Beaux-Arts meet the rounded arches of Romanesque style. This blend was typical for commercial buildings of that era and shows how architects adapted various historical styles for modern business structures.
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