What if these walls could talk? The Architects Building stands here a silent witness to Detroit’s fluctuating fortunes. Erected in 1924 this seven-story structure at 415 Brainard Street was once a hub for the city’s booming architectural scene.
Imagine a time when Detroit’s population was exploding. The automobile industry fueled unprecedented growth. This rapid expansion created a surge in building activity. Architects engineers and contractors flocked to the city. Thomas J Thompson a man involved in the hotel and restaurant business recognized an opportunity. He envisioned a one-stop shop for all building trades.
Thompson commissioned Richard H Marr a prominent Detroit architect to design the Architects Building. Marr a Detroit native with Scottish roots had previously designed Thompson’s residence. The building’s original purpose was to house architectural professionals and related trades. Marr succeeded marvelously.
When the Architects Building first opened its doors it housed 25 firms. Marr himself and architect Marcus R Burrowes had offices here. The building became a center for innovation and collaboration. Lancelot Sukert Roland C Gies and the firm of Burrowes & Eurich were among the notable architects who occupied space in the building. Sukert designed several churches in Detroit. Burrowes teamed up with Frank Eurich designing residences in the Grosse Pointes Bloomfield Hills Farmington and Detroit.
The Architects Building is a Neo-Classical Revival style building. It has a reinforced concrete frame faced with buff brick and trimmed with stone. The lobby is the most significant area inside the building. It remains largely intact from its original design. A large cartouche bearing a stylized letter “A” sits between the fourth and fifth stories. It symbolizes the building’s architectural purpose.
However the Great Depression hit Detroit hard. The automobile industry collapsed and building activity ground to a halt. By 1933 only three architects remained in the Architects Building. In 1936 Thompson’s estate lost the building to foreclosure.
After 1940 the Architects Building’s association with architecture faded. In 1950 it was renamed the Contractor’s Storage Building. In 1974 the Salvation Army purchased it. Later in 1985 the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation acquired the building.
In 1999 the CCNDC renovated the Architects Building. It was transformed into 27 apartments for low-income residents. The Architects Building stands as a testament to Detroit’s architectural heritage. It has adapted to the city’s changing needs.
The Architects Building is a reminder of a time when Detroit was a booming metropolis. It stands as a symbol of resilience. The building stands in good condition despite sweeping changes in the neighborhood. The first-floor lobby is still in good condition. It reminds us of the building’s original grandeur. The Architects Building is a piece of Detroit’s history. It is a reminder of the city’s architectural legacy.