For a while, it seemed like Detroit was the epicenter of the ruin porn trend. Thankfully, as many of those buildings are being rehabbed, that craze seems to be coming to a close.

Despite the downfall of many once-opulent buildings, Detroit is still home to an assemblage of historic and beautiful places that have stood the test of time. Here are a handful of the most beautiful spots in the city.

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory This enormous glass greenhouse is the oldest running conservatory in the country. Split into five sections, you’ll find the Palm House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, a sunken Fernery (pictured here), and the Show House. 900 Inselruhe Ave., Detroit; 313-821-5428 Photo via Flickr, Sara Hattie
Bethel Community Transformation Center, the former Temple Beth El Albert Kahn designed this synagogue to be a home for the Temple Beth El congregation, but they later moved to Bloomfield Hills. Now the building belongs to a Christian organization and they’re working to restore this still-beautiful edifice to its original glory. 8801 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-818-3259 Photo by James Feldman
Helen L. DeRoy Auditorium Just one of Wayne State’s many beautiful buildings, this auditorium was designed by Minoru Yamasaki. The structure is a sister to the Prentis Building, which Yamasaki also designed. They’re meant to interrelate functionally, spatially, and architecturally. And to be visually stunning, of course. 5203 Cass, Detroit Photo via Flickr, Sharon Irish
Detroit Opera House 1526 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-237-7464 This truly opulent building was designed by C. Howard Crane, the same mastermind behind the Fox Theatre and the Fillmore. The Michigan Opera Theatre purchased the building in 1988 and the place underwent extensive renovations. Courtesy photo
Detroit Public Library This magnificent monolith takes up an entire city block — and it’s worth every square inch. The main entrance is done in the Italian Renaissance-style, but the interior is where the true beauty lies. 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-481-1300 Photo via Flickr, Mike Boening Photography
Fox Theatre Detroit’s Fox Theatre is the largest surviving movie palace of the 1920s, but these days it’s used to host touring musicals and international musicians. C. Howard Crane designed the lavish auditorium by using a blend of Burmese, Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-471-3200 Courtesy photo
Sweetest Heart of Mary This truly decadent Gothic Revival cathedral is the largest Catholic church in the city of Detroit. The vaulted ceilings are gorgeous, but the ornate stained glass is where its true beauty lies. 4440 Russell St., Detroit; 313-831-6659 Photo via Flickr, Bryan DeBus
Guardian Building Wirt C. Rowland designed this towering structure that’s since been nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance. Pure Detroit provides tours through the building every Saturday and Sunday. 500 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-963-4567 Photo via Wiki Commons
St. Joseph’s Oratory This nearly 150-year-old building has been deemed a national treasure largely due to its ornate stained glass and Gothic structure. The building is now dedicated to the celebration of the traditional Latin mass. 1828 Jay St., Detroit; 313-784-9152 Photo via Wiki Commons
James Scott Memorial Fountain Completed in 1925, this fountain cost $500,000 to construct. Architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Herbert Adams designed the structure that stands on Belle Isle. Sunset and Fountain Drives, Detroit; 313-821-9844 Photo via Flickr, Rain0975
Detroit Masonic Temple This colossal edifice is as mysterious as it is beautiful. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the enigmatic structure — you’ll get to peek into the well-kept chapels, offices, and special rooms that fill the building. 500 Temple St., Detroit; 313-832-7100 Photo by Mike Ferdinande
Rivera Court at Detroit Institute of Arts The crown jewel of the city, the Detroit Institute of Arts is overwhelming in its resplendence. The Rivera Court, painted by famed artist Diego Rivera, houses the larger-than-life murals the world knows as “Detroit Industry.” 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900 Photo via the Detroit Institute of Arts
Sainte Anne de Detroit Construction on this church began in 1701, making it the first edifice erected in Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which later developed as the city of Detroit. Sadly, Native Americans later burned that building down. It was later rebuilt — and burned down again. The building that now stands was built in 1886. 1000 Ste. Anne St., Detroit; 313-496-1701 Photo via Wiki Commons
The Whitney A former home, the Whitney is well-kept by its current owners who utilize the place — and its beauty — as a fancy restaurant. It is said Thomas Edison designed some of the home’s lighting himself. 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700 Courtesy photo
Fisher Building Known as “Detroit’s largest art object,” this stunning structure is beloved by many metro Detroiters. It fell into disrepair for some time, but new investors have been working on revitalizing the building for a while now. Pure Detroit runs free tours through the building every Saturday and Sunday morning. 3011 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit; 313-874-1100 Courtesy photo

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.