Ford Building: A LEGO® creation by Jim Garrett : MOCpages.com

Ford Building

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Ford Building (1909), Detroit, Michigan - a minifig scale model.

About this creation

The Ford Building
The 19 story Ford Building was completed in 1909 to the design of Chicago's famous architect Daniel Burnham. This was the 2nd of 4 structures that his architectural practice was to design in Detroit. The Ford Building was the tallest office building in Detroit until the completion of the Penobscot Annex and the Dime Building in 1913. The style of this high-rise is Chicago School with some Italian Renaissance details. The building is located in downtown Detroit at 615 Griswold Street. Note that this building is not associated with Henry Ford. A totally different Ford family that made its money in the glass business commissioned it.

The LEGO Model
The 52 inch high model took about 40 days to complete. It has a partial interior on the ground floor. It consists of 5 sections for transport to train shows. I tried to put a bit more detail into it to contrast its classical details with the "modern" Art Deco Penobscot Building which is directly north of it.

Building Statistics:

Construction Start: January 3, 2009.

Construction End: February 20, 2009.

Current Status: Office buildiing - in use.

Height: Highrise.
- Roof: 4.3 feet (1.3 meters).
- Architectural Top: 4.3 feet (1.3 meters).
- Spire/Antenna: n/a.

Foorplate: 59 x 75 studs.

Floors: 19.

Weight: 85 Lbs.

Portability: Building separates into 5 modules for transport to MichLTC shows.

Colors:
- White - walls and architectural trim.
- Light blue gray - roof.
- Dark blue gray - supports near main entrance, spandrels on top three floors, HVAC equipment on roof.
- Tan - details above windows on ground floor.
- Black - fire escape.
- White - section on side of building that faces the Ford Building.
- Yellow - interior details in corner sandwich shop.

Above and below: Views of the Griswold and Congress streets corner of the building.

Above: Detail of entrance and corner location of Jimmy-Johns Worlds Greatest Sandwiches shop. I have not made a custom sticker for the eatery since they have not paid me any money.

Above and below: Many high-rise buildings constructed in the first years of the 20th century had light wells or light courts. This side of the building faces away from the streets and is less detailed.

Above: Details of the cornice. This is somewhat conjectural since the Ford Building's cornice was removed for "safety reasons" in the 1950s. I used a style similar to that of my Neoclassical Bank building.

Above: A fire escape extends the full height of the building on the north side. This side faces an alley between it and the Penobscot Building.

Below: This view shows the Ford Building in relation to the rest of the city block. The tall structure is the 47 story Penobscot Building which also has a mocpages entry.

Above: A businessman waits for an elevator while a security guard sits at his computer monitoring the situation or playing computer games.

Comments

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I like it

Marcus Paul

March 9, 2012

Whoa! Ingenious and amazingly stylish. Another fantastic build!

I like it

redhead1982 lego

October 22, 2010

Just amazing. I couldn't even tell if its LEGO or the real thing.

I like it

El Barto !

July 10, 2010

Couldn't believe what I was seeing! That fire escape is terrific. Amazing!

I like it

Emmett Mead

January 28, 2010

I have to tell you, next to your model of the Penobscot Building, this has to be the most realistic skyscraper on MOC Pages!!!

I like it

Nathaniel Brill

October 4, 2009

Absolutely gorgeous! Not being familiar with the detroit skyline, I'd never seen this building before, but now I'm glad I have. A perfect choice for Lego. The size, color and proportions make it very eye-catching.

I like it

david drake

September 11, 2009

MASSIVE!!! This looks so real in some of the photos you;d never know it was Lego. Great work, as usual.

I like it

Anthony S

April 20, 2009

I've looked at your buildings and all I can say is WOW! Amazing work

I like it

Eric Sophie

March 17, 2009

Truly a marvel! Magnificent building! I would love to see this in person!

I like it

Allan Hall

March 16, 2009

as I admire your work greatly, there is also a hint of envy, a sin I know. but to have the access to so many bricks only fuels my imagination. I look forward to your future builds with anticipation.

I like it

Vibor Cavor

March 16, 2009

From the first view I really couldn't tell if it's real or lego. Man, this is great! Picture just speaks for itself!

I made it

Jim Garrett

March 15, 2009

Quoting Lt. Colonel Ghostman This is just amazing. I really like the last picture where there are lego people walking in and out of the building. I read your homepage, and I see that you also like to build WW2 things. Can't wait to see them. P.S. I added you as my favorites. :)LCG

Thanks for the comment. While I am interested in WWII history and have quite a few books on the subject, I have not actually gotten around to completing any WWII mocs. There are a few uncompleted tank hulls lying around somewhere but recently I have been spending almost all my efforts on Detroit buildings. Arcsilver: I have at least started the remaining buildings of the Penobscot Block. I have considered building the Michigan Central Train Station and the Guardian Building but both are hugely expensive projects.

I like it

Thomas N

March 15, 2009

Wow, I saw the main pic, and I thought that it was the actual building, then I zoomed in and realized it was the lego one! Great work!

I like it

Lt. Colonel Ghostman

March 14, 2009

This is just amazing. I really like the last picture where there are lego people walking in and out of the building. I read your homepage, and I see that you also like to build WW2 things. Can't wait to see them. P.S. I added you as my favorites. :)LCG

I like it

Tim Inman

March 14, 2009

Great job Jim! An instant classic!

I like it

Joshua Holland

March 14, 2009

Completely insane, and absolutely amazing.

I like it

Chris Phipson

March 14, 2009

When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it was a picture of a real building! Just amazing work here. Great job! ~ Chris.

I like it

Dylan B

March 14, 2009

Wow, that is just outstanding. This looks like it might be a difficult build, but you pulled it off quite well. Exellent job.

I like it

ARC Silver

March 14, 2009

That is dope. I checked your flickr gallery daily and waited for the final pictures. And now, I´m just wondered how you can manage to put so much detail in so big buildings. Once I read that you want to build another Detroit building. Which one?