Detroit's Book Tower Celebrates 100th Anniversary After Dramatic Rehab

The historic skyscraper reopened in 2023 following a $317 million redevelopment project by Bedrock.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Detroit's iconic Book Tower celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2026, marking a remarkable turnaround for the once-neglected 38-story skyscraper. After standing vacant and crumbling for years, the building underwent a dramatic $317 million redevelopment by Bedrock, which restored the ornate Italian Renaissance-style facade, recreated the long-lost three-story glass atrium, and transformed the property into a mixed-use destination with upscale apartments, a hotel, restaurants, and cocktail bars.

Why it matters

The Book Tower's revival is a testament to the resilience of Detroit's historic architecture and the city's ongoing revitalization efforts. As one of the tallest buildings in Detroit, the tower's restoration has helped to reinvigorate the downtown area and preserve an important piece of the city's architectural heritage.

The details

The Book Tower, attached to the slightly older 13-story Book Building, was originally designed by architect Louis Kamper and opened in 1926. After decades of struggle, the building fell into disrepair and stood vacant from 2009 until 2015, when it was purchased by Bedrock. The redevelopment project included cleaning the limestone facade, replacing all 2,483 windows, and recreating the decorative interior plasterwork and marble-lined hallways. A key feature is the restored three-story glass atrium in the ground-floor lobby, which had been filled in over the years to create more office space.

  • The Book Tower opened in March 1926.
  • The building was vacant from 2009 until 2015, when it was purchased by Bedrock.
  • Bedrock's $317 million redevelopment project was completed, and the tower reopened in 2023.
  • The 100th anniversary celebration was held in March 2026.

The players

Book Tower

A 38-story ornate skyscraper in Italian Renaissance style, opened in 1926 and attached to the slightly older 13-story Book Building.

Bedrock

The real estate firm that purchased the distressed Book Tower property in 2015 and undertook a $317 million redevelopment project to restore the building.

Louis Kamper

The original architect who designed the Book Tower and Book Building in the French and Italian Renaissance styles.

Randy Book

A 67-year-old grandson of one of the three Book brothers who built the tower and hosted the 100th anniversary celebration.

Dan Gilbert

The Detroit businessman whose real estate firm, Bedrock, bought the distressed Book Tower property and led the redevelopment project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Today's event is about so much more than a ribbon-cutting. It's about breathing new life into one of Detroit's most visible and historic landmarks, one that had been left neglected for far too long.”

— Dan Gilbert, Bedrock founder

“They were like, 'How can this be?' What Bedrock has been able to create here has just been incredible.”

— Randy Book, Book family member

What’s next

The Book Tower's 100th anniversary celebration was a major milestone, but the building's future remains bright as it continues to serve as a hub of activity and investment in downtown Detroit.

The takeaway

The Book Tower's remarkable transformation from a neglected relic to a vibrant mixed-use destination showcases Detroit's resilience and the power of historic preservation. This project has not only restored an architectural gem but also helped to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood, cementing the tower's status as one of the city's most iconic landmarks.