Professional Plaza Tower

Professional Plaza Tower is an office building in Midtown Detroit with a sleek exterior of glass and aluminum panels. Three prominent concrete columns run vertically on each side, from ground to roof, creating a distinctive structural frame.

The tower was built in 1966 as part of an urban renewal initiative designed to bring medical professionals back to downtown Detroit. It represented a key effort to revitalize the city's core during that era.

This structure helped establish Midtown Detroit as a destination for professionals, symbolizing the city's effort to rebuild its downtown core. Its distinctive appearance became a recognizable landmark that shaped how residents understood their neighborhood.

The building sits on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, making it easy to locate and visit. A major renovation in 2017 converted the interior into residential apartments and ground-floor shops, so visitors may encounter residents and activity throughout the day.

Neon signs shaped like hammers and nails once glowed from the penthouse until 2016, earning it the nickname Hammer and Nail building among locals. These distinctive signs became a memorable symbol of the tower that residents used to navigate the neighborhood.

Location: Detroit

Inception: 1960s

Architectural style: International Style

Address: 3800 Woodward Avenue

GPS coordinates: 42.34944,-83.05917

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:24