Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse

The Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse is a 12-story building in Detroit featuring orange bricks arranged in geometric patterns with vertical striping throughout. Originally constructed in 1930, it served as a storage and office complex for the telephone company and its equipment supplier.

The building was constructed in 1930 as storage and office space for Michigan Bell and Western Electric, serving this purpose for approximately 28 years. It was later converted to residential use during subsequent decades.

The building displays Art Deco details like aluminum panels with lightning bolt motifs and a decorative phone cable element above the entrance. These features reflect its original purpose as a telecommunications hub.

The renovated structure now houses permanent residential units with a gym, library, and community spaces available. Visitors can explore the Art Deco architecture and see how the interior has been adapted for modern living.

The building displayed a large Weather-Phone sign until the mid-1980s that provided nighttime weather forecasts to drivers on the Lodge Freeway. This clever use of rooftop space combined traffic information with architectural prominence.

Location: Detroit

Architects: Wirt C. Rowland

Architectural style: Art Deco architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.40250,-83.11330

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01