Corktown Lofts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edson, Moore and Company Building
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The Corktown Lofts building in 2017
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | 1702 W Fort St. Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1913 |
| Built by | Bryant & Detwiler Company |
| Architect | Smith, Hinchman & Grylls |
| Architectural style | Commercial Style, Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001839 |
| Added to NRHP | November 27, 2017 |
The Corktown Lofts building, once known as the Edson, Moore and Company Building, is a historic warehouse. It was built in 1913 for a company called Edson, Moore & Company. You can find it at 1700 West Fort Street in Detroit, Michigan.
In 2017, this building was being turned into a new space for different uses. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year.
Contents
What is the History of the Corktown Lofts?
How Did Edson, Moore & Company Start?
Edson, Moore & Company began in 1872. It quickly grew into one of the biggest businesses in Michigan. They sold "dry goods," which included things like fabrics and clothing.
The company had many traveling salespeople. By the early 1900s, it was a major seller of wholesale goods in the Midwest. This meant they sold products in large amounts to other businesses.
Why Did They Need a New Building?
The company's success meant they needed more space. Their first location was in downtown Detroit. In 1882, they moved to a new building called the Palms Building.
A big fire in 1893 destroyed that building. But the company rebuilt right away in the same spot.
By the early 1910s, Edson, Moore & Company needed even more warehouse space. There was no room left in the busy downtown area. So, they looked to a new area near the riverfront.
Who Built the Warehouse?
The company hired a development firm owned by John F. and Horace E. Dodge. These brothers are famous for starting the Dodge car company.
In 1913, the Dodge brothers hired Smith, Hinchman & Grylls to design the warehouse. This was a well-known architecture firm in Detroit. Bryant & Detwiler Company built the warehouse. It cost $237,000, which was a lot of money back then!
What Happened to the Building Later?
Over the years, Edson, Moore & Company changed its business. They started focusing more on textiles and carpeting. In 1958, they moved out of the Fort Street building. They needed an even bigger place. The company itself closed down in 1974.
In 1959, the Fort Street warehouse was sold. In the 1970s, it was used to rent out storage space. Later, in the 1990s, a company called Olde Discount used it for storage.
In 2004, Display Group bought the building. They were a company that designed and made displays for trade shows. In 2016, Bedrock Real Estate purchased the building. Bedrock is a real estate company. As of 2017, they were turning the building into a mixed-use space. This means it would have different types of businesses or homes inside.
What Does the Corktown Lofts Building Look Like?
The Corktown Lofts building has four stories. It is made of strong concrete and covered with dark reddish-brown bricks. The building has a unique trapezoid shape. It fits perfectly into its lot, next to old railroad tracks.
The main side of the building faces Fort Street. It has nine sections with windows. The middle seven sections have windows with four tall glass panes. Above these, there's a smaller horizontal window called a transom.
The window sections on each end are a bit different. They have decorative stone frames on the upper floors. The very top window on these ends is arched. There is also a main entrance in the middle of the ground floor. A stone line separates the upper floors from the lower ones.
On the west side of the building, the decorative stone frames continue. The rest of the sections on this side are simpler. They are separated by vertical pillars.
Gallery
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Side view of the warehouse in 2017
