J. L. Hudson Department Store and Addition, High-rise building in downtown Detroit, Michigan.
The J. L. Hudson Department Store stretched across 2.2 million square feet with 29 floors above ground and 5 basement levels in Chicago School architectural style.
The structure, completed in 1927, stood as the world's tallest department store until its controlled demolition in 1998, marking the end of Detroit's retail golden age.
The building displayed an enormous American flag measuring 235 feet long and 104 feet tall, becoming a symbol of Detroit's commercial and patriotic identity.
The department store operated 68 elevators, 705 fitting rooms, and dining facilities that served more than 10,000 meals daily to customers and staff members.
The structure's demolition set a record as the tallest building ever imploded in North America, creating a controlled collapse that required extensive engineering calculations.
Location: Michigan
Inception: 1927
Architects: SmithGroup
Official opening: 1927
Architectural style: Chicago School
Floors above the ground: 29
Floors below the ground: 5
Elevators: 68
GPS coordinates: 42.33370,-83.04800
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:56
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