Cass Gilbert Gilbert was a conservative who believed architecture should reflect historic traditions and the established social order. His design of the new Supreme Court building (1935), with its classical lines and small size, contrasted sharply with the large federal buildings going up along the National Mall in Washington, D.C., which he disliked. Heilbrun says "Gilbert's pioneering buildings injected vitality into skyscraper design, and his 'Gothic skyscraper,' epitomized by the Woolworth Building, profoundly influenced architects during the first decades of the twentieth century." Christen and Flanders note that his reputation among architectural critics went into eclipse during the age of modernism, but
Cass Motor Sales died in 1965, and in 1969 Cass Motor Sales ceased operations. The building was sold to Dalgleish Cadillac, who operated it until the dealership closed in 2010. In 2015 the building was renovated into first floor retail space now occupied by Carhartt's flagship store and office space above. The Cass Motor Sales is a three-story rectangular structure, typifying Art Deco architecture as applied to commercial buildings. The building was designed as an integrated showroom, sales office, and service center. The building contains 51.000 square feet over 3 floors. The building is four bays wide, with each bay separated by engaged