Penobscot Building (left)

The Penobscot Building is a skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Rising 566 feet (173 m), the 47-story Penobscot was the tallest building in Michigan from its completion in 1928 until the construction of the Renaissance Center's central tower in 1977. Upon its completion, it was the eighth tallest building in the world and the tallest outside New York City and Chicago. Like many of the city's other Roaring Twenties buildings, it displays Art Deco influences, including its "H" shape (designed to allow maximum sunlight into the building) and the sculptural setbacks that cause the upper floors to progressively "erode." The building's architect, Wirt C. Rowland, also designed such memorable Detroit skyscrapers as the Guardian Building in the same decade. At night, the building's upper floors are dramatically lit in floodlight fashion, topped with a red sphere. Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the territorial city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Michigan Founded  -Incorporated July 24, 1701  1816 County Wayne County Mayor Kwame... State nickname: Wolverine State or Great Lakes State Other U.S. States Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Governor Jennifer Granholm Official languages English Area 250,941 km² (11th)  - Land 147,255 km²  - Water 103,687 km² (41. ... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A United States Coast Guard Cutter passes the Renaissance Center. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York and abbreviated NYC) is the most populous city in the United States, and is at the center of international finance, politics, communications, music, fashion, and culture. ... Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... The Roaring Twenties refers to the North American historical period of the 1920s, which has been described as one of the most colorful decades in American history. ... Asheville City Hall. ... Wirt C. Rowland was an American architect, born December 1, 1887 in Clinton, Michigan, He began his architectural career as an office boy for the Detroit firm of Rogers & MacFarlane and then moved on to the prestigious Geroge D. Mason firm. ... The Guardian Building The buildings lavish interior The Guardian Building is a historic skyscraper in downtown Detroit, Michigan. ...

External links

• Official Penobscot Building website
• Penobscot Building details
• Article from the Detroit Area Art Deco Society