Between 1900 and 1919, the population of Detroit increased from 285,000 to nearly half-a-million residents. During this period, the city experienced significant growth and prosperity, due in large part to the burgeoning auto industry. Griswold Street, which had become neglected and dilapidated, experienced a facelift with the construction of the 18-story Ford Building. Upon its completion, the Detroit Free Press called it �the beginning of a new era in the building of Detroit Beautiful.�
