FISHER BUILDING

Nicknamed "Detroit's greatest piece of art", it is both imposing and breathtaking. Opened in 1920 and built by the Fisher brothers according to the plans of the renowned architect Albert Kahn, it would be the latter's greatest masterpiece. In the Art Deco style, the architect was given carte blanche to create the most magnificent building in the world. More than a place to set up the Fisher Body Company's offices, the brothers also wanted to set up shops and entertainment (the Fisher Theatre is still in operation). It was sort of their gift to Detroit and its people. Its construction required more than 12,000 tons of steel, 268,000 m³ of concrete and marble, 1,800 bronze windows, 641 bronze elevator doors, 420 tons of bronze finishes, 4,274 m² of concrete shapes, 41,000 barrels of cement, more than 91 km of sand and gravel, as well as 1,971 km of electrical and telephone wires and cables. With more than 30,193 m² of outdoor marble, the Fisher is the largest marble clad commercial building in the world. For the sculptures, frescoes and mosaics, Albert Kahn called upon the Hungarian artist Geza R. Maroti, who focused on two ideas for the creation of his works: the wealth and power of the United States in the areas of trade and transportation, and American culture and civilization for music and theatre. Other artists have participated in the decoration and creation of works for the Fisher Building.