15 of the most beautiful places in Detroit

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.

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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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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