designed a dozen major structures in downtown Detroit; among these are a number of the city's most accomplished and evocative buildings. To a large extent, Rowland helped define Detroit's architectural genre. For the Guardian Building, he had assembled a multitude of artisans, mosaicists, sculptors, painters, and tile manufacturers including Corrado Parducci, muralist Ezra Winter, and tile from the Rookwood and Pewabic pottery companies. He thus recreated the architectural synthesis of a medieval cathedral. Hence, Rowland had reached a climax when his Union Trust/Guardian Building became known as "the Cathedral of Finance." The Guardian Building opened in 1930. With the onset of the Great Depression, Rowland was laid off from Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. As a result, he formed his own office where his work decreased to a small number of churches, schools and construction projects. Late in life, he returned to a purer, Gothic idiom for his last few projects, notably the Kirk in the Hills church which was built after he died in 1946. During World War II, the Guardian Building would serve as headquarters for wartime production. William Edward Kapp, architect for the firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls has been credited with interior design work on the Buhl Building. Tenants Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation has its headquarters in the building, and the Consulate of Italy in Detroit is located in Suite 1840. Fink + Associates Law's Detroit office is located in Suite 1000. At one time Real Times Media, the owner of black newspapers in the US, had its headquarters in the building. Michigan Nonprofit Association, a statewide membership organization that serves the nonprofit sector, has its Metro Detroit office in the Buhl Building. Gallery See also List of tallest buildings in Detroit References Further reading Kvaran, Einar Einarsson, Shadowing Parducci, unpublished manuscript, Detroit. External links Official Website (Caution: Macromedia Flash is required to enter) "Where Detroit's elite met to eat" (Archive). The Detroit News. October 12, 2004. Skyscraper office buildings in Detroit Downtown Detroit Historic district contributing properties in Michigan National Register of Historic Places in Detroit Office buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan 1925 establishments in Michigan 1920s architecture in the United States Buildings with sculpture by Corrado Parducci Art Deco architecture in Michigan Office buildings completed in 1925