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Old Friend Returns

The Guardian Building, a downtown Detroit landmark,
re-opens after 30-year hiatus.

ALAN ABRAMS
Special to the Jewish News

A

jewel of Detroit architecture has regained its
glitter thanks to the efforts of a downtown
real estate development firm.
The Sterling Group, whose CEO, chairman and
founder is Jewish community activist Gary Torgow,
purchased the 40-story downtown Guardian
Building last November and spent what they
describe as "multi-millions" in its restoration, hop-
ing it will again become a viable player in the lucra-
tive downtown commercial real estate market.
The funds were all private, with no taxes used,
says Danny Samson, the Sterling Group's vice presi-
dent of brokerage and leasing.
The masterpiece of art deco design was opened to
the public for the first time in 30 years at a Nov. 10
gala featuring Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm
and other dignitaries.
Completed in 1929, shortly before the stock mar-
ket crash, the then Union Trust-Guardian Building
was Detroit's second-tallest structure, rising 486
feet. The construction statistics were boggling even
for that free-spending era.
Dubbed "The Cathedral of Finance," the vaulted
ceiling is lavishly covered in Rockwood tile laid in
diamond patterns. The banking hall features one of
the largest suspended ceilings in the world.
Almost 2 million bricks were used to formulate
the unique tangerine-colored "Guardian Brick"

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facade. Equally stunning is the three-story, 10,000-
square-foot retail promenade mezzanine.
Area merchants have been quick to visualize
opportunities, says Samson. "There is only one
retail space left, and he is close to finalizing a deal
that will put a juice bar cafe there."
Retail businesses in the building include
Southfield-based Becca Belle Gifts, three Pure
Detroit stores, a Standard Federal bank branch,
Andy's Sundries and the Rowland Cafe, namesake
of the building's architect, the legendary Wirt
Rowland. Samson says office space is available at
$15-17 per square foot.
Friedman Real Estate Group, Inc., of Southfield
leases both the Penobscot and the First National
buildings downtown. According to Friedman's Web
site, office space at the Penobscot is $15 per square
foot and the First National leases at $15.50 per
square foot.
Samson feels the comparable leasing rates place
the Guardian at an advantage. "If you are a law
firm, you can't beat the location. You're only steps
from all the courts: federal, county, state and the
register of deeds. And you have a proximity to your
client base." The Guardian fronts Wooward Avenue
between Larned and Congress.
The building has also attracted architectural
firms, including the SmithGroup, formerly Smith,
Hinchman and Grylls Associates, the original archi-
tects for the building. Other tenants include finan-
cial consulting and engineering firms.

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