World's tallest mural coming to building in Detroit

Businessman Dan Gilbert is commissioning what promises to be the world's tallest mural on the side of his First National Building in downtown Detroit.

The mural by New York-based artists How & Nosm will measure 354 feet high and about 80 feet wide, according to Robin Schwartz, a spokewoman for Gilbert's Bedrock Real Estate Services, an arm of his Rock Ventures/Quicken Loans network of firms.

Work could begin in about a month. Anthony Curis of the Library Street Collective arts group, which is helping coordinate the project, said the design will not be revealed in advance but will pay tribute to a mural that formerly graced the side of the First National Building.

That mural was created in the 1970s by Detroit native Alvin Loving Jr. and depicted geometric forms in a style popular in the day. The mural was removed in a building renovation in 1989.

How & Nosm is the artistic name used by brothers Raoul and Davide Perre, identical twins known for their large scale graffiti-based murals that can be seen in urban locations in many countries, including at Gilbert's Z Garage in downtown Detroit. Born in Spain, the brothers are German in heritage and currently reside in New York.

Curis said work is expected to begin on the mural in a month or so.

The First National Building at 660 Woodward Avenue was designed by famed architect Albert Kahn and remains home to many prominent office tenants.

Contact John Gallagher: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jgallagherfreep.