Book Tower and Building - Photos

Book Tower and Book Building

The Book Tower Rotunda and Lobby area in May 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Book Building main entrance on Washington Blvd.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Tower as seen from Griswold & Grand River Ave. in March 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Tower in Honolulu Blue during the NFL playoff season on January 11, 2024.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Rotunda as seen from the main entrance on Washington Blvd.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Tower partially lit up on an early morning. Portions of the Rosa Parks Transit Center's Custom skyshade can be seen in the foreground. The architect had neglected to build a fire evacuation route and had to add the outside one, which may well be the longest outdoor fire escape in the world.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Looking up the Rotunda from the first floor

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A view at the Book Tower study

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Tower Lobby Bar not quite finished on May 10, 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Stairway from first to second floor

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A slightly different angle at the Rotunda

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The residences at Book Tower

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Looking up at the breathtaking skylight.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Beautifully restored corridors on the 4th floor

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Grand view of the Tower

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Building's main entrance in Mar 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Some more Rotunda detail

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

50,000 square feet of marble were re-installed during the renovation.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Holding up the building’s cornice are twelve nude women or “caryatids,” the name for a sculpted female figure that serves as an architectural support.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Another look at the intricate, over-the-top details on the crown of the Book Tower.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book tower north facade during a beautiful sunrise in Apr 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A look at the entertaining suite

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Book Tower during sunset in August 2020. Image taken from a distant vantage point

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Before/After prints will be on display for a while

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Another view at the Study: a 3,000 square feet co-working space for residents and hotel guests, with views of Washington Boulevard and The Rotunda.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

More than 7,000 square feet of ornate ceiling tiles were recreated and hand painted to match the original designs and color of the structure.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Side entrance on Grand River Ave. After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the architecturally renowned Book Tower is making a comeback in Spring 2023 thanks to a $300M renovation.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org