The Detroit Free Press Building is an office building designed by Albert Kahn Associates in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Construction began in 1924 and was completed in 1925. The high-rise building contains on 14 above-ground and two basement levels. The building features Art Deco detailing, and is a steel-frame structure faced with limestone. Its design features stepped massing in the central tower and flanking wings. When constructed, the building housed editorial and business offices for the paper as well as printing facilities and rental space. The building is adorned with bas-relief figures, sculpted by Ulysses A. Ricci, symbolizing commerce and communication. The building, located at 321 West Lafayette, has been unoccupied since the newspaper offices moved in 1998. It was formerly the home of the Detroit Free Press, and while occupied by the newspaper, displayed large neon signs of the newspaper logo on its roof facing north and south. Printing facilities for the newspaper occupied the lower floors of the building until 1979, when a new production facility opened approximately one-mile southwest at 1801 West Jefferson Avenue. The newspaper offices are now located in the building Albert Kahn designed for The Detroit News at 615 West Lafayette. Because the News Building is only three stories, it is constructed of reinforced concrete and faced with concrete fashioned to look like stone. When Free Press offices moved into the building, they occupied the southern portion and used the address of 600 West Fort Street while The News used its long-time address of 615 West Lafayette. In February 2014, both newspapers announced their intent to move to another facility which would be more suited to their current needs.
Redevelopment Plans
Several redevelopment plans have been proposed during the time the building has been vacant. To date, none have been successful.
In June 2010, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved incentive financing for a deal to remake the Free Press Building into residential apartments with office and retail space.
In November 2012, the structure was placed for auction because the owners, Luke Investments, could not agree on a redevelopment plan.
The building sold again in September 2013 for approximately $4.15 million. The new owners expect to begin renovations in late 2014 to recreate retail space on the street level and 150 apartments on the upper floors.
