Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building

The Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building is a 27-story concrete skyscraper spanning an entire city block at 477 Michigan Avenue. The structure contains interconnected sections housing office and facility spaces for multiple federal agencies.

The building opened in 1976 to consolidate federal agencies that had previously been spread across different locations throughout the city. It was named after Michigan Senator Patrick McNamara, who supported the creation of this centralized federal facility.

The building displays multiple artworks in its public spaces, including paintings by Sam Gilliam and Harold Cohn. These pieces shape the interior environment and create an artistic presence for people moving through the space.

The building houses offices for federal agencies including the FBI, IRS, Social Security Administration, and Veterans Affairs, with security screening required for all visitors. Facilities are accessible during standard business hours, though specific times may vary depending on the agency you need to visit.

The building features recessed corners that strengthen the structural design while also reducing the number of highly desirable corner office spaces. This uncommon design choice reflects practical engineering decisions made during the building's planning stages.

Location: Michigan

Inception: 1976

Architects: SmithGroup

Floors above the ground: 27

GPS coordinates: 42.33120,-83.05320

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48