Detroit City Hall

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Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument with the old Detroit City Hall in the background

For the current location of Detroit's City Hall, see Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

The former Detroit City Hall was located at what is now Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The building was constructed in 1861, and finished in 1871. It was demolished in 1961 to make way for Campus Martius Park. It stood at 5 stories in height, 4 above-ground, and one basement floor. The lowrise tower was used mainly as offices for city hall administrative uses. It was built by Alexander Chapoton of one of the city's oldest French families. The Queen Anne style Alexander Chapoton House (c. 1870) still stands at 511 Beubien.

It was designed in the Renaissance revival architectural style, and was built with mainly stone.

The building's former location is along Cadillac Square, and was bordered by Griswold Street to the west, Michigan Avenue to the north, West Fort Street to the south, and Woodward Avenue to the east.

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This tower was reportedly built very poorly, and was plagued by problems its entire existence.
After a very public and bitter debate between city officials and preservationists, the structure was razed in 1961. A public square known as Kennedy Square was constructed in its place. The square was later demolished for the construction of the One Kennedy Square office building that now occupies the lot.
The building took 10 years to complete. Most of this was due to restrictions of material during the Civil War, but much had to do with city politicians fighting over the bids and contracts.
The building is styled in a jumble of Renaissance styles including that of the French and Italian.
The clock tower featured four, 14-foot stone maidens on its cornice representing justice, industry, art and commerce.
The building featured sculptures of Fr. Gabriel Richard, Antoine Cadillac, Fr. Jacques Marquette and Sieur de LaSalle created by Julius Melchers and John Donaldson. When the building was demolished the statues were saved and moved to the campus of Wayne State University.

Marquette

Cadillac

LsSalle

Richard

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