River Room, Detroit 1972

A century old and still going strong, the Buhl building is a prominent and historic skyscraper in Detroit's financial district.

Opened in 1925, it was designed by architect Wirt C. Rowland in Neo-Gothic style with Romanesque accents by sculptor Corrado Parducci. It is located at Griswold and Congress streets.

In 1972, when this menu was in use, the River Room was the fast-service restaurant in the lobby of the 28-storey tower, offering sandwiches and salads and a small selection of hot lunches.

It was part of a range of facilities in the building at that time that included a barber shop, banking and brokerage facilities and the Savoyard Club, named after the river that once ran through downtown Detroit.

This gentleman’s club’ was located on the 27th floor and closed its doors in 1994.

This menu cover featuring a galleon in full sail was probably also a nod to the initial settlement of Detroit as a French fort in 1701.