A (non-political) question about Michigan Grand Station

It's an amazing building and I'm glad it's a part of the US National Register of Historic Places, but my question is, why did it have 18 storeys? Was that part of the train station itself or was the tall building used for something else?

I am an aficionado of Beaux-Arts architecture and was just curious.

Thanks!

ailsagirl

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2 replies	Author	Time	Post
A (non-political) question about Michigan Grand Station (Original post)	ailsagirl	Sep 2013	OP
From Wikipedia:	Cirque du So-What	Sep 2013	#1
Appreciate that	ailsagirl	Sep 2013	#2

Response to ailsagirl (Original post)

Fri Sep 27, 2013, 11:48 PM

Cirque du So-What (17,319 posts)

1. From Wikipedia:

The building is composed of two distinct parts: the train station itself and the 18-story tower. The roof height is 230 feet (70 m). Ideas as to what the tower was originally designed to include a hotel, offices for the rail company, or a combination of both. In reality, the tower was only used for office space by the Michigan Central Railroad and subsequent owners of the building. The tower was never completely utilized; the top floors were never completely furnished, and served no function.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Central_Station

I'm afraid the answer is somewhat political, considering that this building represents the last gasp of the Gilded Age - a monument to the egos of the robber barons. It is a nice building, however.

A (non-political) question about Michigan Grand Station

1. From Wikipedia:

2. Appreciate that