Detroit celebrates as abandoned Book Tower gets roof lights

Pictured below is an impressive Detroit high-rise, the Italian Renaissance-style Book Tower at 1265 Washington, designed by prominent Michigan architect Louis Kamper.

Too bad the 38-story skyscraper,once Detroit's tallest building, has been vacant since 2009.

To the right of the tower is another Kamper work, the Book Cadillac Hotel. The architect, who died in 1953, suffered a loss this year as his Park Avenue Hotel was imploded four days after I photographed it.

Last night the Book Tower's owner, billionaire Dan Gilbert, switched the Book Tower's lights on--and the city celebrated. 

Shouldn't Detroiters wait until someone moves in? Meanwhile in Corktown another empty landmark structure, Michigan Central Station, is receiving Potemkin windows.

Looking onto the tower is Detroit native and War of 1812 hero Alexander Macomb.