ODA

Book Tower demonstrates how historic preservation can serve as both a restoration of architectural heritage and a catalyst for urban revitalization. Located within Detroit’s Washington Boulevard Local Historic District, the project transforms one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks into a vibrant mixed-use destination while carefully preserving the architectural spirit of Louis Kamper’s original Italian Renaissance design. Working closely with local historic preservation experts and the State Historic Preservation Office, ODA approached the restoration with a commitment to historical accuracy, craftsmanship, and adaptive reuse.

After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the 38-story landmark was in a significant state of disrepair, with deteriorated plaster ceilings, shattered marble wainscoting, and exposed building systems. Using only a handful of historic photographs and a single hand-drawn sketch as references, the design team meticulously restored the building’s defining architectural features while introducing new residential, hospitality, retail, and public programming that ensures its continued relevance.

The entire ornamental façade was restored to its original appearance, including the repair of 29 caryatid sculptures and the restoration of the building’s iconic copper roof. A total of 2,483 historically accurate windows were installed, allowing the landmark to meet contemporary performance standards while preserving its original proportions and detailing.

At the heart of the project is the restoration of the historic Rotunda, a dramatic three-story entry space crowned by a monumental art glass dome. Recreated through an extensive research and fabrication process, the dome consists of a cast-iron and brass framework supporting 6,000 glass panels and 7,000 jewel embellishments, returning one of the building’s most celebrated architectural features to its original grandeur.

Preservation efforts extended throughout the interiors, where local artisans were commissioned to recreate elaborate decorative ceiling panels. Molds were taken from surviving fragments to faithfully reproduce the intricate patterns, and each panel was carefully hand-painted to match the original finishes. Original marble was meticulously matched and restored throughout the building, ensuring continuity between preserved and reconstructed elements. Decorative elevator doors were also replicated, preserving the distinctive ornamentation of flourishes, florets, and bird motifs that appear throughout the tower as part of its original design language.

Rather than treating preservation as a static exercise, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a means of extending the life of a historic landmark. By restoring significant architectural features while introducing contemporary uses and inviting the public back into the building, Book Tower preserves not only the craftsmanship and artistry of one of Detroit’s most iconic structures but also its role as a living and active part of the city’s cultural and civic identity.