Pure Detroit Guardian Building Tour and City Walk

A closer look at the Penobscot Building. The wavy lines in the bottom band represents the Penobscot River in Maine, which in turn, drew its name from the Penobscot Indians of the area. The upright columns in the upper band represents the lumber industry which had provided the Murphy family, the buildings financiers, with their family fortune.

The Penobscot also features swastikas in the design of the building. The word "swastika" refers to a geometric figure which may face either left ( 卍 ) or right ( 卐 ). The swastika used by the Nazi Party was always right facing, while those which festoon the Penobscot Building are left-facing.

The swastika figure has been around for at least 3,000 years and is commonly found in both Western and Eastern civilizations. The word itself derives from the Sanskrit "svastika", meaning good luck or well-being.

Archaeological excavations during the 1800s discovered widespread use of the symbol among Native Americans. The decorative theme of the building is Native American, hence the swastikas, chief's head, and other designs.

A look up at the Guardian Building from Griswold Street. The building is covered by over 1.8 million orange bricks, sourced locally just for this project.

A look at the Buhl Building across Griswold Street from the Guardian Building.

This is the main entrance to the Guardian Building along Griswold Street, Detroit's financial district.

One of the two elevator lobbies in the Guardian Building.

Another look at the elevator lobby.

Looking up at the Pewabic Tile ceiling of the Guardian Building main lobby.

Another look at the lobby ceiling.

The Tiffany clock as seen from the Guardian Building lobby, with the Michigan mural seen through the bank lobby entrance.

A close-up look at the Tiffany clock in the lobby.

The Labor's Legacy Transcending near Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.

The One Woodward Building as seen from Hart Plaza.

The One Detroit Center as seen from Hart Plaza.

The Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain in Hart Plaza.

The GM Renaissance Center as seen from Hart Plaza.

A statue of the founder of Detroit, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac.

The back of "The Gateway to Freedom" monument, honoring the underground railway.

A cruise ship docked across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to the south of Detroit.

The front of "The Gateway to Freedom" monument, honoring the underground railway.