By William M. WordenThe City of Detroit's own art deco treasure, the Water Board Building, is being recognized as an historic site. On July 25, 2002, the City Council held a public hearing on the establishment of the Water Board Building Historic District.
During the 1920s, with the exponential growth in the city's population, the Water Board's activities grew as well. The need for additional office space led to the construction of a new 23 story building on the triangular site bounded by Randolph, Farmer, and Bates streets, previously occupied by police headquarters; the building was completed in 1928 at a cost of over $1.75 million.
The architect was the well-known Louis Kamper. Born and trained in Germany, he came to Detroit in the 1880s and was especially noted for the work he did on Washington Boulevard for the Book Family - the Book Cadillac Hotel, the Book Building, the Book Tower, and several other smaller office buildings. Kamper also designed many fine houses for Detroit's wealthier citizens, including the Hecker House at Woodward and East Ferry and the Book House at East Jefferson and Burns. Kamper was fond of ornate interiors; he was once quoted as saying, "I like it warm."
The Water Board Building, however, reflects the trend to simplified classicism which characterizes the art deco style. Kamper's warmth is still present, but in a cleaner, more contemporary fashion. Especially noteworthy are the banking room or customer service area on the ground floor, with its wonderful ceiling murals, and the Board Room on the fifth floor, paneled in rich wood and with another painted ceiling.
The City of Detroit's 23-story Water Board Building when new. Photo Credits: City of Detroit ArchivesToday, the Water and Sewerage Department is considering building a new office building; once again, the growth of the system has rendered the offices too small. Nonetheless, the department recognizes that it possesses one of Detroit's great architectural treasures, and has requested that the building be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and also be designated as historic by the City of Detroit. Thus, should the day come when the building passes out of public ownership, it will be protected as a cultural asset for generations to come.
Note: The Detroit Area Art Deco Society testified at a public hearing held by the City of Detroit Historic Designation Advisory Board, that the Water Board Building is a significant art deco skyscraper in downtown Detroit. We endorsed and encouraged its historic designation to the City of Detroit's listing of historic properties.
