Family-Owned Detroit-Based Company Helps Renew Historic Fox Office Building Façade

Detroit’s historic Fox Office Building, consistently ranked among the best in the world, is a crown jewel of the city’s arts and entertainment heritage. Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Fox Office Building in 1987 and restored the theater to its original splendor in ‘88, making it once again a destination for Detroiters and visitors worldwide. Now three decades strong, Olympia Development of Michigan continues its stewardship of the historic building by hiring another family company headquartered in Detroit, Grunwell-Cashero, to help clean and restore the ornate terra cotta that gives the building’s exterior its unique presence.

Founded in 1953 by masonry specialist Fidell Cashero, Grunwell-Cashero has been serving the needs of the construction industry for more than 65 years with satellite offices in Cleveland and Toledo. Fidell was a master in masonry restoration, using proper materials and specialized techniques to restore buildings to their former glory.

“Grandpa used to say, ‘When we leave the building, it looks like we weren’t there,’” Jelane Cashero Raycraft, Grunwell-Cashero vice president and Fidell’s granddaughter, said. “His motto was to leave things in kind. He was a pioneer in that effort.”

Today, Grunwell-Cashero and their team of expert artisans are helping clean and restore the terra cotta to keep the integrity of the building’s façade to that of its original specifications. Learn more about Grunwell-Cashero and their specialized trade in the video below.

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