Marshall Fredericks, the sculptor, also designed the famous bronze 'Leaping Gazelle' located at Brookgreen Gardens.
The statue weighs approximately nine tons, necessitating a robust subterranean support structure.
The gilded sphere in the statue's left hand is periodically re-gilded to maintain its brightness.
The sculpture was originally meant to represent the concept of 'man's relationship to God and man's relationship to his fellow man.'
It is a tradition for local sports fans to dress the statue in massive custom-made jerseys when Detroit teams compete in championships.
The statue is located near the site of the original Detroit city hall, which was demolished in 1961.
The Spirit of Detroit is a 26-foot-tall bronze sculpture created by artist Marshall Fredericks, installed in 1958 in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The figure holds a gilded bronze sphere representing God in his left hand and a family group representing human relationships in his right. It is a defining symbol of Detroit, frequently decorated with local sports team jerseys during playoff runs. The sculpture is cast in bronze and stands on a pedestal of green Vermont marble. It is a prominent example of mid-century public art commissioned through the Percent for Art program. The statue serves as the backdrop for major civic events and public gatherings in downtown Detroit.
From the sidewalk across the street on Woodward Avenue to capture the full height of the statue against the municipal building background.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby public plaza for better perspectives of the statue's scale.
Check local news if visiting during sports playoffs, as the statue's appearance changes frequently for local teams.
Visit during the daylight hours, as the bronze detailing is significantly more visible without harsh artificial shadows.
Attempting to climb the pedestal or statue, which is strictly prohibited and monitored by building security.
