A Landmark Legacy in Downtown Detroit

Welcome to a community where historic prestige seamlessly blends with modern city living. The Kales Building, an 18-story high-rise overlooking Grand Circus Park, has been a defining fixture of the Downtown Detroit skyline for over a century. Originally opening its doors in 1914, this beautifully restored architectural gem offers residents a rare opportunity to call a piece of Detroit history their home.

The Kresge Era & Albert Kahn’s Vision

The story of this iconic building begins with retailer Sebastian Kresge. After finding massive success opening his first 5- and 10-cent store on Woodward Avenue in 1899, his company rapidly expanded to nearly 100 locations in just over a decade. This incredible growth required a towering new corporate home. Kresge hired renowned architect Albert Kahn to design an elegant 115,000-square-foot skyscraper at the corner of Park Avenue and West Adams Street.

Placed in the heart of Detroit’s thriving new central business district, it was constructed as the world headquarters of the S.S. Kresge Company. When completed, it was hailed as one of Detroit’s most revered early skyscrapers, dominating as the tallest structure around Grand Circus Park until the David Whitney Building was finished in 1915.

Architectural Brilliance: Kahn styled the building with a clean-lined façade featuring Neo-classical and Renaissance revival elements, including a distinctive hipped roof and arched upper windows.
Innovative Design: The structure utilized a steel frame expressed by white glazed brick. Because there was a limited amount of artificial light available at the time, Kahn deliberately designed the building with enormous windows wrapping around the facade. This flooded the interior with natural light—a brilliant architectural feature that continues to provide abundant sunlight for our residents today.
The Early Days: Originally named the Kresge Building, the retail company occupied nine of the eighteen floors. It also became the official headquarters for The Kresge Foundation, which was established in the building in 1924 following a $1.6 million gift from S.S. Kresge. The remaining space was leased out to medical professionals and vibrant ground-floor storefronts.

A Transition to The Kales

As the Kresge Company continued to grow, they relocated to a new, larger headquarters in 1930. Following their departure, the landmark was purchased by the Kales family and officially renamed The Kales Building. This new moniker was highly fortunate, as it perfectly aligned with the many ornamental "K" details already integrated throughout the building's original architecture. The original "KRESGE" lettering at the top of the tower was also thoughtfully modified to read "KALES".

Throughout the following decades, the building became highly regarded as a prime, centralized location for the city's doctors and dentists. Recognizing its architectural and cultural significance, the property was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as a vital part of the Grand Circus Park Historic District.

A Modern Renaissance in Foxtown

Like many downtown structures, the building faced a period of transition in the latter half of the 20th century. After its last commercial tenant moved out in 1986, the striking edifice was left to fall into disrepair.

As city leaders sought ideas for the rebirth of the storied Grand Circus Park area and its signature buildings, the thought arose that new sports stadiums could be an impetus for the area’s revitalization. While the historic structure was nearly demolished to make way for parking for Comerica Park and Ford Field, the property was saved when stadium plans shifted slightly west.

In 1999, the city and the Greater Downtown Partnership held a "request for proposals" to attract developers to revitalize the property. The skyscraper was sold to Ferlito Construction, launching a massive $17.5 million redevelopment that transformed the property into a shining example of urban renewal at its finest. Opening in 2004, The Kales was an immediate hit, boasting near-full occupancy almost instantly.

This overwhelming success proved to the rest of the city that Grand Circus Park was a "sleeping giant" ripe for residential growth. The revival of The Kales served as a key catalyst for the neighborhood, directly sparking renewed interest and development plans from groups like the Ilitch companies for their own downtown properties. To accommodate this new wave of downtown residents, developers worked with the city’s municipal parking authority to secure a 30-year lease for 190 dedicated parking spaces. They also brilliantly constructed a connecting tunnel from the lower level of The Kales directly into the upgraded Grand Circus Park underground garage, ensuring seamless and protected access for the community.

Experience History in Your New Apartment

Today, Kahn’s white glazed brick gem stands proudly in the Foxtown neighborhood, an area rich with history and culture. Residing at The Kales means immersing yourself in the architectural heritage of Detroit while enjoying the premier comforts of a completely modernized high-rise community.

Ranging from 600-square-foot one-bedroom layouts to spacious 1,180-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bath floor plans, our apartment homes offer the perfect balance of 1914 character and contemporary convenience. With soaring high ceilings, sweeping skyline views, and premium finishes tailored for the modern lifestyle, your next chapter starts here.