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Coordinates: 42°21′28″N 83°3′56″W / 42.35778°N 83.06556°W / 42.35778; -83.06556
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{{short description|Historic building in Detroit}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2009}}
{{No footnotes|date=November 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox Skyscraper|
{{Infobox building
building_name = Maccabees Building|
|name= Maccabees Building
|image= MacabeesBuilding2010.jpg
image = [[Image:WayneStaeonoldWDTRbldg.jpg|250px|[[Maccabee Building]] on Wayne State University campus.]]|
|image_size= 250px
built = 1927|
|caption=
use = [[office]]|
|completion_date= 1927
location = 5057 [[Woodward Avenue]]. <br>
|building_type= office
[[Detroit, Michigan]]<br>{{USA}}|
|location= 5057 [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]]<br />[[Detroit]], Michigan
roof = 60.0 m|
|coordinates =
top_floor = |
|roof= {{convert|60.0|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}
antenna_spire = 142.0 m|
|top_floor =
floor_count = 15|
|antenna_spire= {{convert|142.0|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}
floor_area = 27220 m²|
|floor_count= 15
elevator_count = |
|floor_area= {{convert|27220|m2|abbr=on|order=flip}}
architect = [[Albert Kahn (architect)|Albert Kahn]]|
|elevator_count =
skyscraperpage_id = |
|architect= [[Albert Kahn (architect)|Albert Kahn]]
|nrhp= {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Maccabees Building
| nrhp_type =
| image =
| caption =
| location =
| coordinates = {{coord|42|21|28|N|83|3|56|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin =
| area =
| built = 1927
| architect = [[Albert Kahn (architect)|Albert Kahn]]
| architecture = [[Art Deco]], [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]
| added = July 7, 1983
| refnum = 83003436<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a|dateform=mdy}}</ref>
}}
}}
|references =
{{Infobox_nrhp | name =Maccabees Building
| nrhp_type =
| image =
| caption =
| location=
| lat_degrees = 42
| lat_minutes = 21
| lat_seconds = 28
| lat_direction = N
| long_degrees = 83
| long_minutes = 3
| long_seconds = 56
| long_direction = W
| locmapin =
| area =
| built =
| architect= [[Albert Kahn (architect)|Albert Kahn]]
| architecture= [[Neo-Gothic architecture|Neo-Gothic]]
| added = July 07, 1983
| governing_body = Local
| refnum=83003436<ref name="nris">{{cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
}}
}}


The '''Maccabees Building''' is a historic building located in Midtown [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], at 5057 [[Woodward Avenue]]. It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983.<ref name = "nris"/>
The '''Maccabees Building''' (sometimes called '''Wayne Tower''') is a historic building located at 5057 [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]] in [[Midtown Detroit]], Michigan. It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983,<ref name="nris"/> and is currently owned by [[Wayne State University]].


==Description==
The 14 floor central section is rectangular and stands at {{convert|197|ft|m|0}} in height. Attached to each corner of the building is a 10 story tower, giving the overall building the shape of an "H".
The building consists of a five-story base which covers the entire site. The nine-story spine sits above this rising to a height of {{convert|197|ft|m|0}} with ten-story wings buttressing each corner. The building's exterior resembles the letter "H" with this clearly evident on the fourth through tenth story floorplans.


The [[high-rise]] truss tower features [[Art Deco]] and [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] details which include large arched windows on the ground and second level with rose windows accenting the second floor.<ref name="tradesman">{{cite news |title=A Tuck-Point Here, a New Panel There Provide Facelift for Maccabees Building |first= Marty |last= Mulcahy|work=The Building Tradesman |publisher= Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council |date= May 2, 2003 |access-date= March 4, 2011 |url=http://www.detroitbuildingtrades.org/newspapr/may22003.html}}</ref> Windows on the tenth and fourteenth floor are arched with decorative spandrel panels. The exterior is faced with limestone. The entrance is recessed in a three-story barrel vault arch which continues into the building to form the lobby ceiling.
The [[high-rise]] truss tower was constructed in the [[neo-gothic architecture|neo-gothic architectural style]], using a great deal of limestone, much like the [[Detroit Masonic Temple]].


The central section is topped by a radio broadcast tower. This was originally the broadcast tower for WXYZ radio (both [[WXYT (AM)|WXYZ-AM]] and WXYZ-FM (now [[WRIF]]), and [[WXYZ-TV|television]], until the station moved to new facilities in 1959. Some sources put the height from the base to tip of [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]] at {{convert|450|ft|m|0}}.
The central section is topped by a radio broadcast tower. This served as the broadcast tower for WXYZ radio (both [[WXYT (AM)|WXYZ-AM]] and WXYZ-FM [now [[WRIF]]]), and [[WXYZ-TV|television]], until the station moved to new facilities in 1959. [[WGPR]] radio now occupies transmission facilities on the tower, along with some data transmission equipment for Wayne State University. The height above ground to the tip of the antenna is {{convert|465.9|ft|m}}.


==History==
It formerly served as the headquarters of [[Detroit Public Schools]].<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20000510145100/www.detroit.k12.mi.us/contact/index.htm Contact Us]." [[Detroit Public Schools]]. May 10, 2000. Retrieved on November 7, 2009.</ref>
Construction on the building began in 1926, and completed in 1927. The building was constructed for the fraternal organization [[Knights of the Maccabees]] which later established the [[Royal Maccabees Insurance]] Company.


Surplus space in the building was leased to other businesses, including retail business on the ground floor and office space in the upper floors. One noteworthy tenant was Detroit's radio and television station WXYZ which had its offices and later television studios and broadcast facilities in the Maccabees Building prior to 1959. During that period, the popular radio programs ''[[The Lone Ranger]]'', ''[[Challenge of the Yukon]]'' and ''[[The Green Hornet (radio series)|The Green Hornet]]'' were broadcast from the Maccabees Building radio facilities to listeners throughout North America. From 1959 until 1987, the studios, transmitter, and broadcast tower were used by [[WDET-FM]]. During the 1950s, [[Soupy Sales]] performed in the lower level studio.
== History ==


In 1960, the Maccabees Insurance Company relocated its headquarters to a new building in the northern suburb of [[Southfield, Michigan|Southfield]]. In 1986, it built new {{convert|251000|sqft|m2|-2|adj=on}} office building, once again in Southfield. These newer structures are also sometimes referred to as the ''Maccabees Building''.
Construction on the building began in 1926, and was finished in 1927. The building was originally constructed for the fraternal organization [[Knights of the Maccabees]] which later established the [[Royal Maccabees Insurance]] company.


When the Maccabees organization vacated the building in 1960, the [[Detroit Public Schools|Detroit Public School System]] (DPS) purchased it for a headquarters. From 1960 to 2002, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools. It officially became the ''School Center Building'' but the Maccabees name remained visible on the exterior.<ref name="detroit1701">{{cite web |title=Maccabees Building/Detroit Public Schools Center Building |url=http://www.detroit1701.org/MaccabeesBuilding.htm |year=2002 |publisher=Detroit1701.com |access-date=January 14, 2011}}</ref><ref name="dps">{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/contact/index.htm |publisher=[[Detroit Public Schools]] |date=May 10, 2000 |access-date=November 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510145100/http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/contact/index.htm |archive-date= May 10, 2000}}</ref>
Surplus space in the building was leased to other businesses, including retail business on the ground floor and office space in the upper floors. One noteworthy tenant was Detroit's radio and television station WXYZ. The station had its studios, offices and broadcast facilities in the Maccabees Building from 1930 until 1959. From 1959 until 2001, the studios, transmitter, and tower were used by WDET FM.


The Maccabees Building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983.
The "[[Lone Ranger]]" radio show debuted and was broadcast from this building in 1933. It later went on to become a popular [[television show|T.V. show]] and had [[movie]] [[spin-off]]s. During the 1950s, [[Soupy Sales]] performed in the lower level studio.


In 2002, DPS paid the owner of the [[Fisher Building]] $24.1 million to purchase five floors to house administrative offices, citing the high cost of renovations needed at the Maccabees Building to comply with building and safety codes.<ref name="MLive">{{cite news |last=Oosting |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/09/audit_detroit_public_schools_o.html |title=Audit: Detroit Public Schools Overpaid Millions for Real Estate After Middle-Man Markups |work=MLive |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=November 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Real Estate Report| url=http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVzj73GtaFloAvAZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyY2lybGlmBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM2BHZ0aWQDQjM4NjFfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1517047164/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fdetroitk12.org%2fadmin%2finspector_general%2fdocs%2f2011.10.07_Real_Estate_Report.pdf/RK=2/RS=8i7jc2Y7GCR7MamsM7nnzCUtwA4-| date=October 7, 2011| publisher=Detroit Public Schools| page=iii| access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref> That same year, [[Wayne State University]] purchased the Maccabees Building for additional space. The building houses administrative offices, communication equipment, retail space, and offices for a number of the university's academic departments as part of Wayne State's campus. After acquisition, initial reviews of the structure estimated that façade repairs would cost $1.95 million; upgrades to the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, $960,000; repairs to utility shaft and exit stairways, $405,000; and elevator upgrades, $770,000.<ref>{{cite web| title=Plan for Properties Acquired from Detroit Public Schools| url=https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVwrH6GtaImMAP0dXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyZWliZzczBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM4NjFfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1517050183/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fbog.wayne.edu%2fmeetings%2f248%2fbudgetfinance0703-itemv.pdf/RK=2/RS=v9IigRW8n0LnJYncnWKWdsssVpw-| publisher=Wayne State University Department of Finance and Facilities Management| pages=9–10| date=July 23, 2003| access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref>
In 1960, the Maccabees relocated their headquarters to a new building in Southfield, Michigan - a suburb of detroit. In 1986, they built new {{convert|251000|sqft|m2|-2|sing=on}} office building, once again in Southfield. These newer buildings are also sometimes referred to as the "Maccabees Building"


The entire structure was renovated in 2004 and 2005 with second, third and fourteenth floors equipped to house the [[Wayne State University Computer Science Department]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Wayne State University: Maccabees Administrative Office Renovation| url=http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrBT9Ue4GtamEgAOwhXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyZWliZzczBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM4NjFfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1517047966/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.7ware.com%2fGroup%2fGroup554%2fPortfolio%2fwsu-maccabees.pdf/RK=2/RS=v460bfUFHecrqjE.9o3bn_LSxy0-| publisher=JM Olson Corp| access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Wayne State University, Computer Science Department |title=About Us |url=http://www.cs.wayne.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=47 |access-date=January 14, 2011}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=January 2018}}
In 1960, after the Maccabees organization vacated the building, the [[Detroit Public Schools|Detroit Public School System]] purchased the building and used it as its [[headquarters]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}


On March 25, 2011, Wayne State University and [[WTVS|Detroit Public Television]] announced they would jointly operate a television production studio in the space previously occupied by WXYZ-TV. The studio would reunite the entities who co-produced programs through the late 1970s. The space will be upgraded in phases to install new equipment and provide internships for students in the university's media arts programs.<ref name="dptv">{{cite press release |title=Wayne State University and Detroit Public TV Launch New Midtown Studio |date=March 25, 2011 |publisher=Wayne State University |url=http://www.media.wayne.edu/2011/03/25/wayne-state-university-and-detroit-public-tv |access-date=April 19, 2011}}</ref>
The Maccabees Building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983.


==See also==
In 2002 DPS paid the owner of the [[Fisher Building]] $24.1 million in so the district could occupy five floors in the building; the Fisher Building now serves as the DPS headquarters.<ref>Oosting, Jonathan. "[http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/09/audit_detroit_public_schools_o.html Audit: Detroit Public Schools overpaid millions for real estate after middle-man markups]." MLive.com. September 24, 2009. Retrieved on November 7, 2009.</ref> In 2002, the Maccabees Building was bought by [[Wayne State University]] to serve as an [[office building]]. The building now houses offices for [[Wayne State University]] in [[Neighborhoods and projects in Detroit, Michigan#Midtown|Midtown Detroit]]. The building has a number of uses, including [[offices]], [[communication]], [[retail]], and even has [[university]] rooms for Wayne State University.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
* The use of grey stone and the architecture partially inspired the appearance of the [[Unity Tower]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unitycentre.pl/en/history/# |title=History - Unity Centre |website=unitycentre.pl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119030212/http://unitycentre.pl/en/history/ |archive-date=2018-11-19}} </ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2020}}
*{{portal-inline|Architecture}}
*{{portal-inline|Michigan}}


==External links==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=10+Adams+Ave+W,+Detroit,+MI+48226&ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=42.336981,-83.051112&spn=0.002248,0.006748&t=k&om=1 Google Maps location of Fyfe Building Apartments]
* [http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=8873 Maccabees Building details at Emporis.com]
* [http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=8873 SkyscraperPage.com's Profile on Maccabees Building]


== References ==
==External links==
{{commons category|Maccabees Building}}
{{reflist}}
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5057+Woodward,+Detroit,+MI&aq=0&sll=42.357444,-83.065249&sspn=0.00639,0.020964&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5057+Woodward,+Detroit,+Wayne,+Michigan+48202&ll=42.35745,-83.069344&spn=0.00639,0.02914&z=16 Google Maps location of the Maccabees Building]
*{{SkyscraperPage|8873}}


{{Wayne State University}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Midtown Detroit}}
{{Detroit Public Schools}}
{{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}}
{{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Michigan}}
{{Detroit}}


[[Category:Office buildings in Detroit, Michigan]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Detroit]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Detroit, Michigan]]
[[Category:Office buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Michigan]]
[[Category:Wayne State University]]
[[Category:Wayne State University]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1927]]
[[Category:Insurance company headquarters in the United States]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Michigan]]
[[Category:1927 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Detroit]]
[[Category:Woodward Avenue]]
[[Category:Albert Kahn (architect) buildings]]
[[Category:Knights of the Maccabees]]
[[Category:Detroit Public Schools Community District]]

Latest revision as of 16:40, 24 April 2024

Maccabees Building
Map
General information
Typeoffice
Location5057 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Completed1927
Height
Antenna spire465.9 ft (142.0 m)
Roof196.9 ft (60.0 m)
Technical details
Floor count15
Floor area293,000 sq ft (27,220 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Albert Kahn
Maccabees Building
Coordinates42°21′28″N 83°3′56″W / 42.35778°N 83.06556°W / 42.35778; -83.06556
Built1927
ArchitectAlbert Kahn
Architectural styleArt Deco, Romanesque
NRHP reference No.83003436[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 7, 1983

The Maccabees Building (sometimes called Wayne Tower) is a historic building located at 5057 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983,[1] and is currently owned by Wayne State University.

Description

[edit]

The building consists of a five-story base which covers the entire site. The nine-story spine sits above this rising to a height of 197 feet (60 m) with ten-story wings buttressing each corner. The building's exterior resembles the letter "H" with this clearly evident on the fourth through tenth story floorplans.

The high-rise truss tower features Art Deco and Romanesque details which include large arched windows on the ground and second level with rose windows accenting the second floor.[2] Windows on the tenth and fourteenth floor are arched with decorative spandrel panels. The exterior is faced with limestone. The entrance is recessed in a three-story barrel vault arch which continues into the building to form the lobby ceiling.

The central section is topped by a radio broadcast tower. This served as the broadcast tower for WXYZ radio (both WXYZ-AM and WXYZ-FM [now WRIF]), and television, until the station moved to new facilities in 1959. WGPR radio now occupies transmission facilities on the tower, along with some data transmission equipment for Wayne State University. The height above ground to the tip of the antenna is 465.9 feet (142.0 m).

History

[edit]

Construction on the building began in 1926, and completed in 1927. The building was constructed for the fraternal organization Knights of the Maccabees which later established the Royal Maccabees Insurance Company.

Surplus space in the building was leased to other businesses, including retail business on the ground floor and office space in the upper floors. One noteworthy tenant was Detroit's radio and television station WXYZ which had its offices and later television studios and broadcast facilities in the Maccabees Building prior to 1959. During that period, the popular radio programs The Lone Ranger, Challenge of the Yukon and The Green Hornet were broadcast from the Maccabees Building radio facilities to listeners throughout North America. From 1959 until 1987, the studios, transmitter, and broadcast tower were used by WDET-FM. During the 1950s, Soupy Sales performed in the lower level studio.

In 1960, the Maccabees Insurance Company relocated its headquarters to a new building in the northern suburb of Southfield. In 1986, it built new 251,000-square-foot (23,300 m2) office building, once again in Southfield. These newer structures are also sometimes referred to as the Maccabees Building.

When the Maccabees organization vacated the building in 1960, the Detroit Public School System (DPS) purchased it for a headquarters. From 1960 to 2002, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools. It officially became the School Center Building but the Maccabees name remained visible on the exterior.[3][4]

The Maccabees Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

In 2002, DPS paid the owner of the Fisher Building $24.1 million to purchase five floors to house administrative offices, citing the high cost of renovations needed at the Maccabees Building to comply with building and safety codes.[5][6] That same year, Wayne State University purchased the Maccabees Building for additional space. The building houses administrative offices, communication equipment, retail space, and offices for a number of the university's academic departments as part of Wayne State's campus. After acquisition, initial reviews of the structure estimated that façade repairs would cost $1.95 million; upgrades to the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, $960,000; repairs to utility shaft and exit stairways, $405,000; and elevator upgrades, $770,000.[7]

The entire structure was renovated in 2004 and 2005 with second, third and fourteenth floors equipped to house the Wayne State University Computer Science Department.[8][9][failed verification]

On March 25, 2011, Wayne State University and Detroit Public Television announced they would jointly operate a television production studio in the space previously occupied by WXYZ-TV. The studio would reunite the entities who co-produced programs through the late 1970s. The space will be upgraded in phases to install new equipment and provide internships for students in the university's media arts programs.[10]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Mulcahy, Marty (May 2, 2003). "A Tuck-Point Here, a New Panel There Provide Facelift for Maccabees Building". The Building Tradesman. Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "Maccabees Building/Detroit Public Schools Center Building". Detroit1701.com. 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  4. ^ "Contact Us". Detroit Public Schools. May 10, 2000. Archived from the original on May 10, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  5. ^ Oosting, Jonathan (September 24, 2009). "Audit: Detroit Public Schools Overpaid Millions for Real Estate After Middle-Man Markups". MLive. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  6. ^ "Real Estate Report". Detroit Public Schools. October 7, 2011. p. iii. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  7. ^ "Plan for Properties Acquired from Detroit Public Schools". Wayne State University Department of Finance and Facilities Management. July 23, 2003. pp. 9–10. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "Wayne State University: Maccabees Administrative Office Renovation". JM Olson Corp. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  9. ^ "About Us". Wayne State University, Computer Science Department. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  10. ^ "Wayne State University and Detroit Public TV Launch New Midtown Studio" (Press release). Wayne State University. March 25, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  11. ^ "History - Unity Centre". unitycentre.pl. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018.
[edit]
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