Detroit News Parking Garage
Steel Window Replication
Historical Background
The Detroit News Garage was one of three buildings built to make up the Detroit News complex. This building was one of the first parking garages built in the country, with the growing demand and use of the automobile. The building was designed by architect Albert Kahn and completed in 1925.The five-story building could hold 200 vehicles and included a roof-top level and retail shops on the ground floor. The building facade is constructed in Art Deco style using buff-colored brick, limestone trim, and steel windows glazed with wire glass. The garage was fully heated in the winter months and is over 110,000 square feet of parking area. The project qualified for the Federal Historic Tax Credit program.
BlackBerry's Role
- Provided a Historic Window Site Review to assist in the Federal Tax Credit approval.
- Complete restoration of 150 openings, approximately 6,850 sq. ft., of hot rolled steel windows. The existing units were stripped, repaired, primed and painted. Because of ventilation codes, these units could not be reglazed as the original windows. Instead of reglazing, a third party installed a wire bird screen to allow for ventilation.
- Special items were also restored including an attendant’s booth, and ornamental steel sills and window surrounds.
Current Use
The building is the largest steel window restoration project undertaken to date in Detroit. The structure provides parking for the 615 Lafayette Detroit Media Partnership tenants.
Project Team
- Owner: 615 West Lafayette, LLC
- Architect: Albert Kahn Associates
- Construction Manager: Bedrock Management Services
- Completed 2015