MICHIGAN HISTORY

Albert Kahn, Detroit's master architect

The The Albert Kahn-designed Detroit Athletic Club, built in 1915, has a swimming pool on the fourth floor.
The The Albert Kahn-designed Detroit Athletic Club, built in 1915, has a swimming pool on the fourth floor.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1928 Fisher Building, left, and the 1920 General Motors Building across West Grand Boulevard.
The 1928 Fisher Building, left, and the 1920 General Motors Building across West Grand Boulevard.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Built in 1905, Packard Motor Building No. 10 represented a giant leap into the industrial future with its reinforced-concrete frame.
Built in 1905, Packard Motor Building No. 10 represented a giant leap into the industrial future with its reinforced-concrete frame.
ALBERT KAHN ASSOCIATES
The 1938 Chrysler Half-Ton Truck plant in Warren is an industrial cathedral.
The 1938 Chrysler Half-Ton Truck plant in Warren is an industrial cathedral.
ALBERT KAHN ASSOCIATES
Kahn's 1923 Glass Plant at the Ford Rouge complex was a startlingly modern design for its day.
Kahn's 1923 Glass Plant at the Ford Rouge complex was a startlingly modern design for its day.
ALBERT KAHN ASSOCIATES
The Ford Highland Park complex.
The Ford Highland Park complex.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
A dilapidated corner of the annex to the old Four Story Building at Highland Park.
A dilapidated corner of the annex to the old Four Story Building at Highland Park.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Kahn's 1928 Fisher Building.
Kahn's 1928 Fisher Building.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Barrel-vaulted ceilings in the Fisher Building lobby, designed by Hungarian artist GŽza Mar—ti.
Barrel-vaulted ceilings in the Fisher Building lobby, designed by Hungarian artist GŽza Mar—ti.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Main entrance to the old General Motors Building, built in 1920.
Main entrance to the old General Motors Building, built in 1920.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1920 General Motors Building was originally named the Durant Building.
The 1920 General Motors Building was originally named the Durant Building.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
A small army of gargoyles guards the top floors of the Fisher Building.
A small army of gargoyles guards the top floors of the Fisher Building.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Grill-work in the Fisher Building lobby.
Grill-work in the Fisher Building lobby.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The central chandelier in Kahn's 1922 Temple Beth El in Detroit.
The central chandelier in Kahn's 1922 Temple Beth El in Detroit.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1922 Temple Beth El, with its simple, neoclassical design, resembles the architect's 1925 Angell Hall at the University of Michigan.
The 1922 Temple Beth El, with its simple, neoclassical design, resembles the architect's 1925 Angell Hall at the University of Michigan.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
An inscription on Temple Beth El.
An inscription on Temple Beth El.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, an adaptation of an earlier design by Cranbrook's Eliel Saarinen.
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, an adaptation of an earlier design by Cranbrook's Eliel Saarinen.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower scene behind the State Theater in Ann Arbor.
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower scene behind the State Theater in Ann Arbor.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower at night.
The 1936 Burton Memorial Tower at night.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Burton Memorial Tower and Hill Auditorium.
Burton Memorial Tower and Hill Auditorium.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Kahn's 1913 Hill Auditorium was, at the time it opened, one the biggest performance halls in the U.S.
Kahn's 1913 Hill Auditorium was, at the time it opened, one the biggest performance halls in the U.S.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Albert Kahn called the 1921 William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor his favorite composition.
Albert Kahn called the 1921 William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor his favorite composition.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The arch in Kahn's 1903 University of Michigan Engineering Building.
The arch in Kahn's 1903 University of Michigan Engineering Building.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Kahn's 1917 Detroit Golf Club in Palmer Park.
Kahn's 1917 Detroit Golf Club in Palmer Park.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1928 Franklin Hills Country Club.
The 1928 Franklin Hills Country Club.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 1930 Livingston Memorial Lighthouse at the east end of Belle Isle.
The 1930 Livingston Memorial Lighthouse at the east end of Belle Isle.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
The 9,800-square-foot Boston-Edison James Couzens mansion built in 1910.
The 9,800-square-foot Boston-Edison James Couzens mansion built in 1910.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Albert Kahn's 1906 mansion is in Brush Park, kitty-korner to the Detroit Whole Foods.
Albert Kahn's 1906 mansion is in Brush Park, kitty-korner to the Detroit Whole Foods.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
A handsome Kahn house in Indian Village.
A handsome Kahn house in Indian Village.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Detroit News publisher George G. Booth hired Albert Kahn to design his 1908 mansion in Bloomfield Hills, now known as Cranbrook House.
Detroit News publisher George G. Booth hired Albert Kahn to design his 1908 mansion in Bloomfield Hills, now known as Cranbrook House.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Kahn built this 1915 Renaissance revival mansion in Boston-Edison for Detroit department store founder, B. Siegel.
Kahn built this 1915 Renaissance revival mansion in Boston-Edison for Detroit department store founder, B. Siegel.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News
Many, including the Kahn family, believe the "merry foreman" with the spectacles on the north wall of Diego Rivera's "Detroit Industry" is meant to be Kahn.
Many, including the Kahn family, believe the "merry foreman" with the spectacles on the north wall of Diego Rivera's "Detroit Industry" is meant to be Kahn.
Michael Hodges, The Detroit News