Penobscot Building, Art Deco office building in Detroit Financial District, US
The Penobscot Building is a 47-story office tower in Detroit, clad in limestone with a granite base and topped by a distinctive red beacon. The structure rises prominently in the downtown skyline with its Art Deco proportions and detailing.
The building opened in 1928 as the eighth-tallest structure in the world and Michigan's highest. It held this position until 1977, when the Renaissance Center surpassed it in height.
The building takes its name from the Penobscot tribe of Maine, and this connection appears in decorative details throughout the lobby and entrance areas. These design elements continue to shape how the place looks and feels today.
The building contains multiple elevators distributed throughout its height for efficient movement between floors. Visiting during business hours gives the best chance to see interior spaces and architectural details up close.
A red spherical beacon about 12 feet in diameter sits atop the structure and serves as an aviation light for aircraft navigation. This distinctive marker remains visible from many miles away and continues to guide pilots during night flights.
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