> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.dailydetroit.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 16 Aerial Views Of Downtown Detroit In Wildfire Smoke - URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/16-aerial-views-of-downtown-detroit-in-wildfire-smoke/ - Published: 2026-07-16T19:41:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-16T19:41:42.000Z - Description: Drone photos show how the city's outstanding architecture cuts through the thick haze. - Author: Jer Staes - Tags: Newsletter, Real Estate and Development Hey friends, Jer here. I hope you’re hanging in there with this wildfire smoke. Detroit briefly had some of the worst air in the world today, and it shows when you look at the skyline. A small bit of good news is that forecasts say the smoke should move out sometime late Friday, hopefully giving us our weekend back. A number of places across the region — from Greenfield Village to the Detroit Riverfront to Royal Oak — have already canceled events today. If you need the full list, WXYZ has a roundup. [\[WXYZ\]](https://www.wxyz.com/news/here-are-the-closures-cancellations-thursday-due-to-wildfire-smoke-in-metro-detroit?ref=dailydetroit.com) Since most of us probably aren't doing more than looking out your house or car window, we thought we'd give you a different perspective. [Talented local photographer and friend of the podcast Ryan Southen](https://www.ryansouthen.com/?ref=dailydetroit.com) sent up his drone this morning to capture some stunning shots of the city in the haze, and I wanted to share them with you. This is the first of a two-part series. First, the architecture of downtown Detroit. Next will be the nature of Belle Isle. By the way, if this is your first time here, [sign up for our email newsletter and join our all-local community of people who choose Detroit.](https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/) Below, I'll walk you through what spots you're seeing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--36-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen An aerial looking at the newly constructed Hudson's Tower. Canada is no longer visible, and the gargantuan RenCen is barely present. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--8-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen This is over the Ally headquarters, looking at the Penobscot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--11-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Speaking of that building, the geometry is brain-tickling good. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--3-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen But in my mind it doesn't hold a candle to overhead the Penobscot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--6-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen The nearly empty, million‑plus‑square‑foot Penobscot stands eerily against the dreary backdrop. I worked there for years, and it’s hard to see it so quiet. It feels like the kind of place that could shine again with the right investment, maybe even as a residential conversion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--27-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Let's zoom out for a wider view of the David Whitney and Broderick towers near Grand Circus Park. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--22-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Lots of classics. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--21-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Overhead, I love the detail of this shot. For orientation, the Brocerick in on the bottom of the frame. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--28-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen The particulate matter is intense. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--19-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Now let's take a look at the new Hudson's tower. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--18-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen The reflections play differently when the sky is so monochromatic. This is looking down at Nick Gilbert Way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Woodward, Griswold, and Campus Martius. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--15-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen The interesting geometry of the First National Building. You can see how it snakes around the block. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--25-copy-1.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen It feels like some sort of video game at this point. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/DowntownDroneSmog_7-16-2026--2-copy.jpg) 📸 Ryan Southen Ryan Southen did fantastic work with these, and we thank him for sharing them with us. [\[Instagram\]](https://www.instagram.com/rsouthen?ref=dailydetroit.com) [If you signed up for our newsletter,](https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/) keep an eye out for a second set of photos with more of a nature angle from Belle Isle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2026/07/phezzy-line-break-daily-detroit-email-1.png) **Thank to our members on Patreon for making this possible!** Work like this is thanks to people like you. [Join us as a member](https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit?ref=dailydetroit.com) A new episode of Daily Detroit will be in your podcast apps soon, so don't miss it! [Apple Podcasts](itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit-news-byte/id1220563942?mt=2) Until next time, thank you for sharing your inbox with me... and I'll see you around Detroit. \-Jer