Cary Building (Detroit) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Cary Building
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Cary Building from the east
|
|
| Location | 229 Gratiot Avenue Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Richard E. Raseman |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Part of | Broadway Avenue Historic District (ID04000656) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003670 |
| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1983 |
The Cary Building is an important building in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It stands at 229 Gratiot Avenue, right on the corner of Gratiot and Broadway. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, recognizing its special importance.
Contents
A Look Back: The Cary Building's Story
The Cary Building was built by Frank M. Cary. He was a person who bought and sold land in Detroit, hoping its value would increase. Cary hired a talented architect named Richard E. Raseman to design the building. Raseman also designed another building nearby, the Breitmeyer–Tobin Building.
The construction of the Cary Building started a big change for Broadway. This street, once called Miami Avenue, used to be a place where rich families lived. But with new buildings like the Cary, it began to turn into a popular shopping area.
In recent years, the building has been getting some much-needed care. As of 2016, a company called Rock Ventures owns the building and has started working to restore it. This means they are fixing it up to make it look new again.
What the Building Looks Like
The Cary Building is five stories tall. It was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, which was popular for grand buildings. This style often uses fancy details and a strong, classic look. The building is covered with bricks.
One special thing about the Cary Building is how it uses vertical sections, called "bays." These sections go straight up and are topped with decorative arches. The building is shaped like a rectangle. It measures 112 feet along Gratiot Avenue and 34 feet along Broadway.
At street level, there are storefronts for shops. Above these, there is a stone band that goes all the way around the building. The middle three floors along Gratiot Avenue have five large arches. Inside these arches are special "Chicago style" windows. These windows are designed to let in a lot of light.
The ends of the building have different arches. These arches are round at the top and are decorated with stone. They hold two-story windows. Above these arches, on the fourth floor, are pairs of regular windows. The same design is repeated on the Broadway side of the building.
The fifth floor is separated by another stone band. On this floor, there are pairs of windows above each section below. The original decorative top part of the building, called a "cornice," is no longer there. The inside of the building has office spaces.
Images for kids
-
The Cary Building from the Gratiot side
See also
In Spanish: Cary Building para niños
