ODA has released new renderings of its revitalization of the historic Book Tower in Detroit. The Italian Renaissance-style building was designed by architect Louis Kamper and completed in 1926, after 10 years of construction. The adaptive reuse project is slated for completion in November 2022 and will reopen as a refreshed residential, hospitality, retail, and office volume totaling nearly 500,000 square feet.
“The objective is to add a forward-looking mixed-use program to Detroit’s growing downtown that will meet the needs of businesses, visitors, and residents alike. Bedrock has been an important catalyst, understanding the important role that architecture plays in the systemic evolution of cities,” says ODA founding principal Eran Chen. “Restoring, designing, and engineering the conversion of a legacy structure requires the utmost reverence for the remarkable history of the Book Tower, but also the vision and ambition to deliver a civic hub that complements the movement happening in Downtown Detroit.”
Updates to the 38-story landmark will include the repair or replacement of original domestic and exotic stone, as well as replicating damaged terracotta ornamentation. The façade of the structure will boast a full restoration of its limestone and masonry composition, while the three-story atrium will be recreated to heighten the grandeur of the lobby along with the restoration of the historic art glass skylight. The rooftop will also be newly activated with a 1,400-square-foot bar and a 2,500-square-foot outdoor terrace.
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