Guardian Building Tour held February 19th, 2026
What is a bit of fog?
It surely did not deter a group of forty-four members of the Grosse Pointe Men’s Club and their guests from visiting a National Historic Landmark in our own downtown.
We were greeted in the lobby of the Guardian Building by two vigorous and engaging docents. They clearly loved this structure—its history and artwork. Their enthusiasm was infectious and showed itself in their knowledge of each detail. And they had the ability to explain how such artists as Albert Kahn and Charles Tiffany built a “Cathedral of Finance” in the days when Detroit was the third richest city in America.
We were soon divided into two groups, with ours starting at the top of the building—which is eighty percent occupied. It was not the best day for viewing our city with its unseasonable weather, but still enjoyable.
Our docent, Megan Dunham, knew how every room had been used. (She had taught at G.P. North and knew the children of a number of our members.)
From its newly invented “Monel Metal” to its Carrara marble from Tuscany, its mosaics and murals—there were surprises at every turn.
Time went quickly.
Back in the lobby we applauded our docents and went off in search of a restaurant. The nearby historic Grand Trunk Pub, turned us away as we would “overload the kitchen.”
Someone said “Sindbads” and off we went.
Sindbads graciously put five tables together for the fourteen of us; we enjoyed their usual traditional fare.
Smiles and compliments attested to time well spent.
Check out the Men’s Club website for pictures of the building and our crowd enjoying themselves.
And—stay tuned for the next special event.
For photos from the day, see Guardian Building tour 2026