Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building

Exterior street-level full view of the McNamara Federal Building477 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226-2523
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The Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building occupies a full city block between Howard and Second streets and Cass and Michigan avenues in downtown Detroit. Designed in the Brutalist style with reinforced concrete, the building is named for former U.S. Senator Patrick Vincent McNamara, who served in Congress from 1955-66.

Property Manager: Brian Green

Public Hours: 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays)

For building services, see contact box elsewhere on this page. For other federal government information, call toll-free 1-844-USA-GOV1.

Public Transportation, Parking, and Access

Detroit People Mover delivers riders across from the building on Cass Avenue. Two-hour parking is available in metered spaces near the building, while adjacent surface lots offer public parking for $5-10 per day. Visitors must submit to security screening and present a valid ID card (see Real ID). Weapons, ammunition, pointed items, aerosols, alcohol, hand tools and hardware are prohibited.

Long shot of McNamara Federal Plaza with flowerbox planters in foreground and building behindPlaza Use

To request use of the McNamara Federal Plaza for public communication, complete GSA Form 3453 and submit it to the Property Management Office, Room 115, 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226.

Building Amenities

  • Convenience store – Basement Level – 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Business center (USPS, UPS, FedEx boxes; ATM) – 1st Floor
  • Peoples Trust Credit Union – Mezzanine Level – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Art in Architecture

Medium shot of three sectioned Box Cars Grand painting on wallThe building is home to two artworks, Box Cars Grand, an acrylic and fiber painting by Sam Gilliam, and Decorative Map of Belle Isle, an oil painting by Harold Cohn.

See more federal artworks by visiting America's online Fine Arts Collection.

Awards

In 2007 and 2008 the McNamara Federal Building was the recipient of a Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Office Building of the Year (TOBY) Award in the Government category and has earned ENERGY STAR® designations every year since 2008.

The shortcut for this page is www.gsa.gov/pvmfb.

Last Reviewed: 2022-07-01