The Guardian Building - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
The Guardian Building
The Guardian Building
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Neighborhood: CBD
Reach out directly
See what travelers are saying
  • MidwestKathM
    Detroit, Michigan940 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Art deco masterpiece!
    Detroit's Guardian Building in the heart of downtown is a stunning red brick Art Deco building that pays homage to its roots as a financial institution in the 1920s and 1930s. Enjoy the lobby with its Rookwood-tiled ceilings, mosaic wall, and sumptuous elevator lobbies. Walk up into the Cathedral of Finance (the original bank lobby) and enjoy the painted ceiling and the Michigan mural on the far wall. As you depart the Griswold Street entrance, be sure to look up over the door for the carved figures and tilework executed by some of Detroit's greatest artists!
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 16, 2023
  • Jonathan
    87 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hidden Detroit - do not miss!
    The lobby and arcade of this fantastic art deco building is open to the public free of charge - great place for a coffee in beautiful surroundings. Right at the heart of Detroit's art deco quarter. Be sure to pick up the leaflet explaining the history from the building reception.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 12, 2023
  • marcain
    Washington DC, District of Columbia225 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great building, good for a short visit. Free.
    The exterior is quite interesting, but obscured by all of the other tall buildings nearby. The interior is amazing. Well worth a pop-in visit only takes as long as you need to see the decorations. Bank of America branch office in the atrium, very nice gift shop. They offer tours of the building ONLY on Sundays (as of Aug 2023), so plan accordingly. Without a tour, it's VERY worth seeing for a short visit. I wasn't there on a Sunday, so can't speak to the tour.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 15, 2023
  • Marta P
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Journey through American art deco style
    One of the most impressive buildings we have ever seen. We had a chance to take a free tour guided by a local guide (ask in the souvenir shop in the main hall of the building). We learned about the history of the building and its current status. We also had a chance to see the vaults and the magnificent view of Detroit from its 32nd floor. Both the adults and kids loved it! A big "thank you" to the Guide who showed us around.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written September 6, 2023
  • Luciebelle
    24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Exceptional sightseeing in Downtown Detroit
    Exceptional building, a must to be seen visiting Detroit. Interiors in the hall but also the 32nd floor and the basement need the visit. Ask for a free tour. The City Tour Detroit team is wonderful, especially Melissa Wilson who spent the all visit explaining and answering questions with a great smily knowledge
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 4, 2024
  • Dorothy W
    Toronto, Canada2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    WORTH IT!
    It's so worth it to visit this building - such a beautiful piece of architectural history that has been immaculately maintained. There are free tours of the building on Sundays. The tour guide Lori is very knowledgable and friendly. Highly recommend!
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 29, 2024
  • Sarah V
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Experience!
    My husband and I went on a tour of the Guardian Building and although we went for free, it we had to pay, it would be well worth it. Paul was a great tour guide and really knew his stuff. On average, the tour last one hour. You do go outside to see the structure of the building, but only for 5 to 10 minutes. Just be prepared given the weather that day. You get to see the executive board room on the 6th floor and you go to the 39th floor to see great views of the city as well as a room that was used for a dining hall. The best part of the whole tour was going into the basement to see the vaults. There was about 1 flight of stairs to get to the basement and a half flight of stairs to get up and down to the promenade, where you start. You do take the elevators up to the 6th and 39th floors. Paul did warn us that our ears might pop going up to the 39th floor and mine did! This tour would be great for anyone. We live in the metro area all of our lives and never knew of this treasure. It would also be great for kids, families, couples etc. I am not sure about older folks or strollers, but you should call and ask. Don't go to the Guardian Building website to book, you won't find it there. You need to book through City Tour Detroit.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 2, 2024
  • Michelle C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing!!!
    We were able to attend the last free tour of the guardian bulding. Our guide Lorrie was so informative and patient. She made everyone feel welcomed. This amazing building is so full of history that if you visit Detroit it is a must see! The cost is a mere $6 for a tour and is well worth it!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 7, 2024
  • Kathy W
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very informative!
    I went on a tour with Lori. The check-in process was very easy, and the tour started and ended on time. There were about 10 minutes outside to gaze at the structure so be prepared to be dressed for that. The building is lovely and Lori was a great guide. She shared the history and pointed out many design aspects. We visited the vault which you cannot do without being on a tour. We also rode the elevator to about the 22 floor which gave us wonderful views of the city (again, need to be on a tour for this). The price of the tour is extremely low ($7) and totally worth it. I'm glad I made the time to do this.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles764 reviews
Excellent
582
Very good
149
Average
27
Poor
4
Terrible
2

Irene L
Toronto, Canada3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Definitely worth a few minutes of your day exploring downtown Detroit. Essentially, you are visiting the lobby of the Guardian building with its elevators and stained glass windows and an operating bank branch. We wandered in after business hours, so it was relatively quiet, just a few tourists gawking at the spectacular ceilings covered in intricate mosaics. At the rear of the bank is a fresco reminiscent of Soviet Art: a celebration of the worker and farmer. I didn't realize that this was a thing in the US in the 1920's as well.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI940 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Through the years I have shared this Art Deco skyscraper masterpiece with local family and friends as well as out-of-town visitors, mostly recently a Detroit native back for a visit. Designed by architect Wirt Roland, it was built in the late 1920s for the Union Trust bank. Start by checking out the building's main entrance from across the street. It's Guardian Red bricks make the building stand out in the city's skyline. The dome above the entrance is made of custom Pewabic tile, and on either side are sculptures by Corrado Parducci. Walk inside the lobby...it's free! Enjoy marble floors, walls, and stairs. Look up and all around at the Rookwood tile ceiling...and at the mosaic tile mural by Ezra Winter behind the guard desk. At the top of the stairs, note the Tiffany clock set in a beautiful Monel steel screen. Walk up the stairs into what originally was the bank lobby and look up at the indigenous-inspired ceiling done on horsehair. Another Ezra Winter mural depicts the industries and natural resources around the State of Michigan. Before you leave, check out the elevator lobbies with beautiful stained glass, ornate elevator doors, and reproduction light fixtures. Definitely worth a visit to appreciate this Art Deco treasure...a sign of the 1920s boom in Detroit.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luciebelle
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Exceptional building, a must to be seen visiting Detroit. Interiors in the hall but also the 32nd floor and the basement need the visit. Ask for a free tour. The City Tour Detroit team is wonderful, especially Melissa Wilson who spent the all visit explaining and answering questions with a great smily knowledge
Written January 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marta P
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
One of the most impressive buildings we have ever seen. We had a chance to take a free tour guided by a local guide (ask in the souvenir shop in the main hall of the building). We learned about the history of the building and its current status. We also had a chance to see the vaults and the magnificent view of Detroit from its 32nd floor. Both the adults and kids loved it! A big "thank you" to the Guide who showed us around.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah V
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
My husband and I went on a tour of the Guardian Building and although we went for free, it we had to pay, it would be well worth it. Paul was a great tour guide and really knew his stuff. On average, the tour last one hour. You do go outside to see the structure of the building, but only for 5 to 10 minutes. Just be prepared given the weather that day. You get to see the executive board room on the 6th floor and you go to the 39th floor to see great views of the city as well as a room that was used for a dining hall. The best part of the whole tour was going into the basement to see the vaults. There was about 1 flight of stairs to get to the basement and a half flight of stairs to get up and down to the promenade, where you start. You do take the elevators up to the 6th and 39th floors. Paul did warn us that our ears might pop going up to the 39th floor and mine did! This tour would be great for anyone. We live in the metro area all of our lives and never knew of this treasure. It would also be great for kids, families, couples etc. I am not sure about older folks or strollers, but you should call and ask. Don't go to the Guardian Building website to book, you won't find it there. You need to book through City Tour Detroit.
Written April 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathy W
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Solo
I went on a tour with Lori. The check-in process was very easy, and the tour started and ended on time. There were about 10 minutes outside to gaze at the structure so be prepared to be dressed for that.
The building is lovely and Lori was a great guide. She shared the history and pointed out many design aspects. We visited the vault which you cannot do without being on a tour. We also rode the elevator to about the 22 floor which gave us wonderful views of the city (again, need to be on a tour for this).
The price of the tour is extremely low ($7) and totally worth it. I'm glad I made the time to do this.
Written April 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

marcain
Washington DC, DC225 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
The exterior is quite interesting, but obscured by all of the other tall buildings nearby. The interior is amazing. Well worth a pop-in visit only takes as long as you need to see the decorations. Bank of America branch office in the atrium, very nice gift shop. They offer tours of the building ONLY on Sundays (as of Aug 2023), so plan accordingly. Without a tour, it's VERY worth seeing for a short visit. I wasn't there on a Sunday, so can't speak to the tour.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lenore J
Livonia, MI3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
Beautiful building, great tour! Everywhere you look there is something that catches your eye. The tiles are colorful works of art. The outside of the building is gorgeous too. Parking was easy. The Saturday & Sunday tours are great because there are fewer people if you want to try to get some photos.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lonny
Secaucus, NJ16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Breathtakingly beautiful Art Deco building in the beating heart of downtown Detroit. Stunning interior with stunning mosaics, stained & leaded glass panels, mosaic marble floors, etc. Retail Concourse also has incredible architecture & vaulted ceilings. Worth a visit just to savour the talent & craftsmanship of a bygone era. Simply Beautiful.
Written April 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI940 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Friends
Detroit's Guardian Building in the heart of downtown is a stunning red brick Art Deco building that pays homage to its roots as a financial institution in the 1920s and 1930s. Enjoy the lobby with its Rookwood-tiled ceilings, mosaic wall, and sumptuous elevator lobbies. Walk up into the Cathedral of Finance (the original bank lobby) and enjoy the painted ceiling and the Michigan mural on the far wall. As you depart the Griswold Street entrance, be sure to look up over the door for the carved figures and tilework executed by some of Detroit's greatest artists!
Written May 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Guardian Building - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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