A letter to the editor from a Michigan expat about the condition of Detroit’s Penobscot Building got us thinking about our skyline: What’s Detroit’s most iconic skyscraper? The Renaissance Center? Hudson’s? The Penobscot? We want to know which building you love the most. Vote for your fave in our (totally unscientific) poll. Have a strong opinion? Send us a letter with the subject line “Detroit skyline gem,” and we might publish it online or in print. Oh, and be sure to scroll down to read the letter that started it all.
I hope things have improved for the Penobscot
With all the celebration around the fabulous new Hudson Tower, and several exciting restorations of formerly abandoned structures, there is reason to be bullish about downtown Detroit’s future.
However, each time I see Detroit’s skyline during nationally televised events, the Penobscot Building’s aged exterior and dim lighting stands out, particularly because it is hard to miss, as it is the city’s fourth-tallest building.
A brief online search noted a series of articles from 2020-2022 which reported some disheartening problems with the building, including issues with water and sanitation, power outages, unreliable elevators, few remaining tenants and a general state of disrepair.
My sincere hope is the situation has improved for this art deco masterpiece, completed in 1928. As we approach the 100th anniversary of this historic landmark, I genuinely hope it will be around for another century as a symbol of pride for the Motor City.
Casey C. Cheap
Palm Coast, Florida
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is Penobscot the highlight of Detroit skyline? Take the poll | Letters
Reporting by Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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