The high-rise building was constructed between 1916 and 1919, and is one of Detroit's oldest; it was designed by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls in the Gothic Revival architectural style.[1][2] It stands at 14 floors, and has 65 residential units.
The building was named after Richard H. Fyfe, a Detroit merchant who made his fortune in the shoe trade. For many years it had a Fyfe shoe store at the retail street level and offices in the upper stories; at the time of its opening, the shoe store was the largest in the country.[2] The building is now mainly used as a residential building, but has some retail and a bar[3] at street level.