Penobscot Building Annex, Commercial skyscraper in Downtown Detroit, US
Penobscot Building Annex is a commercial skyscraper in Downtown Detroit with 23 floors reaching approximately 94 meters in height. Grey granite covers the lower levels while terra cotta materials clad the upper stories, creating distinct color zones across the tall facade.
Architectural firm Donaldson and Meier completed this structure in 1916 as part of the larger Penobscot complex. The construction represented a major moment in Detroit's urban expansion during the city's industrial prosperity.
The building displays Renaissance-inspired design through its broad triple windows on lower floors and paired double-hung windows above, creating a formal look at street level. This careful window arrangement shapes how you experience the facade and reflects the working spaces behind the glass.
The structure contains six elevators and retail spaces on the ground floor with shops on both sides of the entrance. Additional commercial areas are available within the interior, making it accessible for browsing shops and conducting business.
A decorative terra cotta band with blind reliefs creates a visual break between the upper four stories and the rest of the facade. This crafted detail remains clearly visible from a distance and optically divides the tower into two distinct zones.
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