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{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox_nrhp
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}}
| name = Wayne County Building
{{Infobox NRHP
| image = Wayne County Bldg Detroit MI USA.JPG
| name = Wayne County Courthouse
| caption = Wayne County Building from Monroe Street.
| nrhp_type = nhl
| ___location = [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]]
| image = Wayne County Courthouse — Detroit, Michigan.jpg
{{USA}}
| caption =
| lat_degrees =
| ___location = 600 Randolph Street<br>[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]
| lat_minutes =
| coordinates = {{coord|42.3321|-83.0424|display=inline,title}}
| lat_seconds =
| locmapin = Michigan
| lat_direction = N
| map_caption = Location in Michigan
| long_degrees =
| mapframe = yes
| long_minutes =
| mapframe-marker = building
| long_seconds =
| mapframe-zoom = 12
| long_direction = W
|mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the ___location for Wayne County Courthouse
| area =
| area = {{convert|2|acre}}
| architect = John Scott
| architect = John and Arthur Scott
| architecture = [[Baroque architecture|Roman Baroque]],
| architecture = [[Baroque Revival architecture|Roman Baroque Revival]], [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]], [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]], [[Classical Revival architecture|Classical Revival]]
[[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]],
| built = 1897–1902
[[Neoclassicism|Classical Revival]]
| added = February 24, 1975
| built = 1897-1902
| refnum = 75000972
| added = [[February 24]], [[1975]]
| designated_other1 = Michigan State Historic Site
| refnum = 75000972
| designated_other1_link = Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
| visitation_num =
| designated_other1_date = September 17, 1974
| visitation_year =
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| governing_body =
}}
 
The '''Wayne County Building''' is a monumental government structure located at 600 Randolph Street in [[Downtown Detroit|Downtown]] [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. It formerly contained the [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] administrative offices – now located in the [[Guardian Building]] at 500 Griswold Street – and its [[courthouse]]. As '''Wayne County Courthouse''', it was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> When it was completed in 1902, it was regarded as "one of the most sumptuous buildings in Michigan".<ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite book|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/25341028 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Wayne County Building / Wayne County Courthouse|author=Marilyn Floreck |series=File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Michigan, 1964 - 2013|date=February 1974 |access-date=July 5, 2016}} (connection is slow to display)</ref>
The '''Wayne County Building''' is a [[lowrise]] [[government]] [[tower]] in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. It stands at 600 Randolph Street, and contains the [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] administrative [[Office|offices]], and its [[courthouse]].
 
==Architecture==
Detroit architect [[John Scott]] designed the building which stands 5 floors. Constructed from [[1897]] to [[1902]], it may be the nation's finest surviving example of Roman [[Baroque architecture]], with a blend of [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] and some elements of the [[Neo-classical architecture|neo-classical architectural style]]. It was built using [[copper]], [[granite]], and [[Masonry|stone]]. The exterior [[architectural sculpture]], including the [[Anthony Wayne]] [[pediment]] was executed by Detroit sculptor [[Edward Wagner]]. The bronze sculpture, two [[quadriga]]s, ''Victory'' and ''Progress'' and four figures on the tower, ''Law'', ''Commerce'', ''Agriculture'', and ''Mechanics'', were made by [[New York City|New York]] sculptor [[J. Massey Rhind]].
The building was designed by Detroit architects John and Arthur Scott.<ref name="aia">{{Cite book | author1=Hill, Eric J. | author2=John Gallagher | name-list-style=amp | title=AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture | year=2002 | publisher=Wayne State University Press | isbn=0-8143-3120-3 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/aiadetroitameric0000hill }} P. 100.</ref> Constructed from 1897 to 1902,<ref>[http://historicdetroit.org/building/old-wayne-county-building/ Old Wayne County Building]. ''Historic Detroit''. Retrieved on July 29, 2014.</ref> it may be one of the nation's finest surviving examples of [[Baroque Revival architecture|Roman Baroque Revival]] architecture, with a blend of [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] and some elements of the [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style.
[[Image:WCbldg1.jpg|left|thumb|200px|From Brush and Congress streets.]]
== Description ==
* The courthouse tower was originally 227' - 8 1/2" tall. The copper [[dome]] and [[spire]] were redone in the [[1960s]] bringing its height to what it is today.
* A [[renovation]] was carried out in [[1986]] by [[Quinn Evans Architects]] and [[Smith Hinchman & Grylls]] Associates.
* The building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in [[1975]].
* The height of the courthouse's tower is 247 feet.
* The Wayne County Building is [[English Baroque]] in style, featuring a tall, four-tiered, [[hipped roof]] central tower balanced by end [[pavilions]].
* The exterior is profusely ornamented with sculpture; the interior is finished in a variety of [[wood|woods]], [[marble|marbles]], [[tile|tiles]], and [[mosaic|mosaics]].
* Built with buff [[Berea]] [[Sandstone]], the [[facade]] features a [[rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] basement story and a balustrade between the third and fourth stories. At the main entrance, a broad flight of stairs leads up to a two-story Corinthian column portico.
* Despite most Wayne County government offices having vacated this building for the modern [[Coleman A. Young Municipal Center]] a block west, the office of the executive of Wayne County is still located here.
* The courthouse is faced in granite and sandstone with copper accents.
 
The building stands 5 floors and was built using copper, [[granite]], and [[Masonry|stone]]. The exterior is profusely ornamented with sculpture; the interior is finished in a variety of woods, [[marble]]s, [[tile]]s, and [[mosaic]]s.<ref name="sharoff">{{Cite book | author= Sharoff, Robert | title=American City: Detroit Architecture, 1845-2005| publisher=Wayne State University Press| year=2005| isbn=0-8143-3270-6| author-link= Robert Sharoff}} P. 17.</ref> Built with buff [[Berea sandstone]], the façade features a [[rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] basement story and a balustrade between the third and fourth stories. At the main entrance, a broad flight of stairs leads up to a two-story [[Corinthian column]] portico. The structure boasts a tall, four-tiered, [[Hip roof|hipped roof]] central tower balanced by end [[pavilion]]s. The courthouse tower was originally 227' 8½" tall; the copper [[dome]] and [[spire]] were redone in the 1960s, bringing its height to 247 feet.
==Architectural sculpture==
 
The exterior [[architectural sculpture]], including the [[Anthony Wayne]] [[pediment]], was executed by Detroit sculptor [[Edward Wagner]]. The other sculptures, two [[quadriga]]s, ''Victory'' and ''Progress'' and four figures on the tower, ''Law'', ''Commerce'', ''Agriculture'', and ''Mechanics'', were sculpted by New York sculptor [[J. Massey Rhind]], and made by [[Salem, Ohio]] resident [[William H. Mullins]] in 1903.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=C43S80877649W.2641&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!18424~!3&ri=2&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=W.+H.+Mullins+Company,+fabricator.&index=AUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=2|title=Victory and Progress, (Sculpture)}}</ref>
 
On the other end of [[Campus Martius Park|Campus Martius]] was the old [[Detroit City Hall]], and they adorned the landscape as 'bookends'.<ref name="aia"/>
 
A [[renovation]] was carried out in 1987 by [[Quinn Evans Architects]] and [[SmithGroupJJR|Smith, Hinchman & Grylls]] Associates.<ref name="aia"/><ref name="sharoff"/>
 
==Recent news==
On July 18, 2007, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced Wayne County had entered into an agreement to purchase the [[Guardian Building]] to relocate its offices from the Wayne County Building. This purchase would commence when the county's lease on their current home expires in 2008 and end a difficult tenant-landlord relationship between the owners and the County.<ref>Gallager, John. ''Detroit Free Press''. [http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NEWS02/70717039 "Wayne Co. to buy Guardian Building for $14.5 million"]. (Accessed July 18, 2007).</ref> The ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' print edition on July 21, 2007, carried a front-page article about the current landlord offering a reduced rate for the county to remain.<ref>''Detroit Free Press''. [http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/NEWS02/707210328 "Landlord offers to drop county's rent if it stays"]. (Accessed July 21, 2007).</ref>
 
In July 2014, the Wayne County Commission approved the sale of the building along with a county-owned parking lot at 400 E. Fort Street to the New York-based investment group 600 Randolph SN LLC for $13.4 million. From March 2016 to October 2018, the building underwent a $7 million renovation that focused on exterior masonry, window restoration, and exterior lighting.<ref name="Pinho">{{cite news|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140717/NEWS/140719863/n-y-investment-group-to-invest-15m-on-improvements-at-old-wayne#|title=N.Y. investment group to invest $15M on improvements at Old Wayne County Building|last=Pinho|first=Kirk|date=18 July 2014|work=Crain's Business Detroit|access-date=20 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Pinho | first=Kirk | title=Restoration of Old Wayne County Building complete following $7 million effort | date=October 8, 2018 | url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/restoration-old-wayne-county-building-complete-following-7-million-effort | work=crainsdetroit.com }}</ref>
 
In February 2021, the building was put up for sale for an undisclosed price.<ref>{{cite news | last=Pinho | first=Kirk | title=Real Estate Insider: Detroit now has two buildings named The Randolph and we just have to deal with it | date=February 20, 2021 | url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/voices-kirk-pinho/real-estate-insider-detroit-now-has-two-buildings-named-randolph-and-we-just-have | work=crainsdetroit.com }}</ref>
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA - panoramio (2).jpg|Wayne County Building in 2014
Image:JMRDetroit1.jpg|by [[J. Massey Rhind]]
Image:Detroit MI 2015.jpg|At night, 2015
Image:JMRDetroit1.jpg|''Victory and Progress''<br>by [[J. Massey Rhind]]
Image:JMRWayneCoBldg2.jpg|by J. Massey Rhind
Image:JMRWayneCoBldg3.jpg|by J. Massey Rhind
Image:JMRDetroit4.jpg|by J. Massey Rhind
Image:JMRWayneCoBldg1.jpg|by J. Massey Rhind
Image:EWagnerAWayne1.jpg|by [[Edward WagnerPediment]]<br>by [[PedimentEdward Wagner]]
Image:WayneCountyspire.jpg|Spire
Image:ComericaTowerdetroit3.jpg|[[ComericaOne TowerDetroit Center]] has similar architectural accents
Image:WCbldg1.jpg|From Brush and Congress streets
Image:DetroitDownBrushSt.JPG|[[Renaissance Center]] with the Wayne County Building
Image:Wayne County Building 1899.jpg|Wayne County Building in 1899
Image:Wayne County Building (NBY 6989).jpg|Wayne County Building, circa 1900s
</gallery>
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
==Further reading==
*Farbman, Suzy and James P. Gallagher (1989). ''The Renaissance of the Wayne County Building'', Smith Hinchman & Grylls, Inc, The old Wayne County Building Limited Partnership and Walbridge Aldinger Company, Detroit, Michigan.
*Ferry, W. Hawkins (1968). ''The Buildings of Detroit: A History'', Wayne State University Press.
*{{CiteGibson, book | author=Hill,Arthur EricHopkin J(1975). and''Artists Johnof GallagherEarly | title= AIA DetroitMichigan: TheA AmericanBiographical InstituteDictionary of ArchitectsArtists GuideNative to Detroitor Architecture|Active year=2002in |Michigan, publisher=1701–1900'', Wayne State University Press | id=ISBN 0-8143-3120-3}}.
*Kvaran & Lockely, ''A Guide to the Architectural Sculpture in America'', unpublished manuscript.
*Gibson, Arthur Hopkin (1975). ''Artists of Early Michigan: A Biographical Dictionary of Artists Native to or Active in Michigan, 1701-1900'', Wayne State University Press.
*{{Cite book | author=Meyer, Katherine Mattingly and Martin C.P. McElroy with Introduction by W. Hawkins Ferry, Hon A.I.A. | title=Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised Edition | year=1980 | publisher=Wayne State University Press | isbn=0-8143-1651-4 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/detroitarchitect0000unse }}
*Kvaran, Einar Einarsson, ''Architectural Sculpture in America'', unpublished manuscript.
*{{Cite book | author=Meyer, Katherine Mattingly and Martin C.P. McElroy with Introduction by W. Hawkins Ferry, Hon A.I.A.| title=Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised Edition | year= 1980| publisher= Wayne State University Press| id = ISBN 0-8143-1651-4}}
*Nawrocki, Dennis Alan and Thomas J. Holleman (1980). ''Art in Detroit Public Places'', Wayne State University Press.
*{{Cite book | author= [[Robert Sharoff|SharoffSobocinski, Robert]]Melanie Grunow | title=AmericanDetroit and CityRome: Detroitbuilding on the past Architecture| publisher=WayneRegents Stateof the University Pressof Michigan | year=2005 | idisbn=ISBN 0-8143933691-327009-62}}
*{{Cite book | author=SobocinskiWoodford, MelanieArthur GrunowM. | title=This is Detroit and Rome: building on the past1701–2001 | publisher=RegentsWayne of theState University ofPress Michigan| year=20052001 | idisbn=ISBN 09336910920-8143-2914-4}}
*{{Cite book| author=Woodford, Arthur M.|title=This is Detroit 1701-2001|publisher=Wayne State University Press| year=2001|id=ISBN 0-8143-2914-4}}
 
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Wayne County Building}}
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/detroit/d14.htm Wayne County Courthouse]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19990508160112/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/detroit/d14.htm Wayne County Courthouse]
* {{nrhp source1|MI|Wayne|state6}}
*{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118499/old-wayne-county-building-detroit-mi-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723205302/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118499/old-wayne-county-building-detroit-mi-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2020-07-23 |title=Emporis building ID 118499 |work=[[Emporis]]}}
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=28+Adams+Ave+W,+Detroit,+MI+48226&ie=UTF8&ll=42.332091,-83.042414&spn=0.002249,0.006394&t=k&om=1 Google Maps ___location of the Wayne County Building]
*{{SkyscraperPage|8876}}
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118499 Wayne County Building details at Emporis.com]
*[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=title&select1=phrase&q1=Wayne+County+Building&op2=And&rgn2=ic_all&select2=all&q2=&op3=And&rgn3=ic_all&select3=all&q3=&rgn4=sortyear&op4=And&q4=&q4=&view=thumbnail&type=boolean&c=dpa1ic&g=localhist-ic Historic images] from [[Detroit Public Library]]
* [http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=8876 SkyscraperPage.com's Profile on Wayne County Building]
 
{{DetroitDowntown skyscrapersDetroit}}
{{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}}
{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Michigan}}
 
[[Category:NationalBuildings Historicand Landmarksstructures ofin the United StatesDetroit]]
[[Category:RegisteredCounty Historicgovernment Placesbuildings in Michigan]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers inDowntown Detroit]]
[[Category:BaroqueGovernment architecturebuildings completed in 1902]]
[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture]]
[[Category:Michigan State Historic Sites in Wayne County, Michigan]]
{{Registered Historic Places}}
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Metro Detroit]]
{{Michigan-struct-stub}}
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Detroit]]
[[Category:1902 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:1902 sculptures]]
[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Michigan]]
[[Category:Baroque Revival architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Michigan]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in Michigan]]
[[Category:County courthouses in Michigan]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County_Building"