Maccabees Building
Encyclopedia
The Maccabees Building is a historic building located in Midtown Detroit, at 5057 Woodward Avenue. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983. and is currently owned by Wayne State University
.
The building consists of a five-story base which covers the entire site. The nine-story spine sits above this rising to a height of 197 feet (60 m) with ten-story wings buttressing each corner. The building's exterior resembles the letter "H" with this clearly evident on the forth through tenth story floorplans.
The high-rise truss tower features Art Deco
and Romanesque
details which include large arched windows on the ground and second level with rose windows accenting the second floor. Windows on the tenth and fourteenth floor are arched with decorative spandrel panels. The exterior is faced with limestone. The entrance is recessed in a three-story barrel vault arch which continues into the building to form the lobby ceiling. Exterior carving was completed by noted sculptor Corrado Parducci
.
The central section is topped by a radio broadcast tower. This was originally the broadcast tower for WXYZ radio (both WXYZ-AM and WXYZ-FM (now WRIF
), and television
, until the station moved to new facilities in 1959. Some sources put the height from the base to tip of antenna
at 450 feet (137 m).
From 1960 to 2000, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools
.
On March 25, 2011, Wayne State University and Detroit Public Television
announced they would jointly operate a television production studio in the space previously occupied by WXYZ-TV. The studio would reunite the entities who co-produced programs through the late 1970s. The space will be upgraded in phases to install new equipment and provide internships for students in the university's media arts programs.
which later established the Royal Maccabees Insurance Company.
Surplus space in the building was leased to other businesses, including retail business on the ground floor and office space in the upper floors. One noteworthy tenant was Detroit's radio and television station WXYZ which had its studios, offices and broadcast facilities in the Maccabees Building from 1930 until 1959. From 1959 until 2001, the studios, transmitter, and broadcast tower were used by WDET-FM.
The "Lone Ranger" radio show debuted and was broadcast from this building in 1933. It later went on to become a popular television show and had movie spin-offs
. During the 1950s, Soupy Sales
performed in the lower level studio.
In 1960, The Maccabees Insurance Company relocated its headquarters to a new building in the northern suburb of Southfield
. In 1986, it built new 251000 square feet (23,318.7 m²) office building, once again in Southfield. These newer structures are also sometimes referred to as the Maccabees Building.
When The Maccabees organization vacated the building in 1960, the Detroit Public School System
(DPS) purchased it for a headquarters. From 1960 to 1992, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools. It officially became the School Center Building but the Maccabees name remained visible on the exterior.
The Maccabees Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1983.
In 2002, DPS paid the owner of the Fisher Building
$24.1 million to purchase five floors to house administrative offices citing the high cost of renovations needed at the Maccabees Building to comply with building and safety codes. That same year, Wayne State University
purchased the Maccabees Building for additional space. The building houses administrative offices, communication equipment, retail space, and offices for a number of the University's academic departments as part of Wayne State's Midtown Detroit campus. The 2nd, 3rd and 14th floors were recently renovated to accommodate the Computer Science Department
.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983. and is currently owned by Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
.
The building consists of a five-story base which covers the entire site. The nine-story spine sits above this rising to a height of 197 feet (60 m) with ten-story wings buttressing each corner. The building's exterior resembles the letter "H" with this clearly evident on the forth through tenth story floorplans.
The high-rise truss tower features Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
and Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
details which include large arched windows on the ground and second level with rose windows accenting the second floor. Windows on the tenth and fourteenth floor are arched with decorative spandrel panels. The exterior is faced with limestone. The entrance is recessed in a three-story barrel vault arch which continues into the building to form the lobby ceiling. Exterior carving was completed by noted sculptor Corrado Parducci
Corrado Parducci
Corrado Giuseppe Parducci was an Italian-American architectural sculptor who was a celebrated artist for his numerous early 20th Century works.-Early life and education:...
.
The central section is topped by a radio broadcast tower. This was originally the broadcast tower for WXYZ radio (both WXYZ-AM and WXYZ-FM (now WRIF
WRIF
WRIF — branded 101 WRIF: The RIFF — is a commercial active rock radio station licensed by the FCC to operate in Detroit, Michigan serving surrounding Metro Detroit. The station is currently owned by Greater Boston Radio, Inc. WRIF is a grandfathered Class B station with a signal equivalent to...
), and television
WXYZ-TV
WXYZ-TV, channel 7, is an ABC-affiliated television station in Detroit, Michigan, USA. WXYZ-TV is owned by the E.W. Scripps Company, and is the media company's largest-market TV station property...
, until the station moved to new facilities in 1959. Some sources put the height from the base to tip of antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
at 450 feet (137 m).
From 1960 to 2000, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Public Schools is a school district that covers all of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The student population of the Detroit Public Schools is about 65,971 , which is down about 9.7% from the previous school year. Detroit Public Charter Schools educate an additional 56,000...
.
On March 25, 2011, Wayne State University and Detroit Public Television
WTVS
WTVS, branded as Detroit Public TV, is the Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station in Detroit, Michigan. Broadcasting since 1955, its vision statement is "educate, entertain and inspire — in partnership with our community." The viewer supported station produces many local...
announced they would jointly operate a television production studio in the space previously occupied by WXYZ-TV. The studio would reunite the entities who co-produced programs through the late 1970s. The space will be upgraded in phases to install new equipment and provide internships for students in the university's media arts programs.
History
Construction on the building began in 1926, and completed in 1927. The building was constructed for the fraternal organization Knights of the MaccabeesKnights of the Maccabees
Knights of the Maccabees was a fraternal organization formed in 1878 in London, Ontario, Canada. A related but separate organization, "Maccabees of the World", was also established, the two merging under the title "The Knights of the Maccabees of the World" , later shortened to the Maccabees in...
which later established the Royal Maccabees Insurance Company.
Surplus space in the building was leased to other businesses, including retail business on the ground floor and office space in the upper floors. One noteworthy tenant was Detroit's radio and television station WXYZ which had its studios, offices and broadcast facilities in the Maccabees Building from 1930 until 1959. From 1959 until 2001, the studios, transmitter, and broadcast tower were used by WDET-FM.
The "Lone Ranger" radio show debuted and was broadcast from this building in 1933. It later went on to become a popular television show and had movie spin-offs
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
. During the 1950s, Soupy Sales
Soupy Sales
Soupy Sales was an American comedian, actor, radio-TV personality and host, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children's television show, Lunch with Soupy Sales; a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his...
performed in the lower level studio.
In 1960, The Maccabees Insurance Company relocated its headquarters to a new building in the northern suburb of Southfield
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
. In 1986, it built new 251000 square feet (23,318.7 m²) office building, once again in Southfield. These newer structures are also sometimes referred to as the Maccabees Building.
When The Maccabees organization vacated the building in 1960, the Detroit Public School System
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Public Schools is a school district that covers all of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The student population of the Detroit Public Schools is about 65,971 , which is down about 9.7% from the previous school year. Detroit Public Charter Schools educate an additional 56,000...
(DPS) purchased it for a headquarters. From 1960 to 1992, it served as the headquarters of Detroit Public Schools. It officially became the School Center Building but the Maccabees name remained visible on the exterior.
The Maccabees Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1983.
In 2002, DPS paid the owner of the Fisher Building
Fisher Building
The Fisher Building is an ornate Art Deco skyscraper located on the corner of West Grand Boulevard and Second Avenue in the heart of the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan. It is constructed of limestone, granite, and several types of marble, and was financed by the Fisher family with proceeds...
$24.1 million to purchase five floors to house administrative offices citing the high cost of renovations needed at the Maccabees Building to comply with building and safety codes. That same year, Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
purchased the Maccabees Building for additional space. The building houses administrative offices, communication equipment, retail space, and offices for a number of the University's academic departments as part of Wayne State's Midtown Detroit campus. The 2nd, 3rd and 14th floors were recently renovated to accommodate the Computer Science Department
Wayne State University Computer Science Department
Wayne State University Department of Computer Science is part of the College of Engineering. The department offers core academic strength in many areas including artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, data mining and machine learning, networking, databases, distributed and parallel computing,...
.