Merchants Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Merchants Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 206 East Grand River Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1922 |
| Built by | Misch, Otto & Co. |
| Architect | Bonnah & Chaffee |
| Part of | Broadway Avenue Historic District (ID04000656) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003732 |
| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1983 |
The Merchants Building is a historic commercial building in Detroit, Michigan. You can find it in Downtown at 206 East Grand River Avenue, close to Broadway Street. It's also sometimes called the Broadway Merchants Building. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, which means it's recognized for its special history and architecture.
History of the Merchants Building
The Merchants Building was designed in 1922 by a team of architects named Bonnah & Chaffee. It was built for a person named John Barlum. He was also involved in building another famous Detroit landmark, the Barlum Tower.
Over the years, many different businesses have called the Merchants Building home. For example, there were at least three fur shops, a company called Midwest Woolen Co., and even a Kroger Grocery & Bakery. Other businesses included the NY Life Insurance Co., a jeweler, and a shoe repair shop. This building, which isn't super tall, was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 25, 1983.
What Does the Merchants Building Look Like?
The Merchants Building stands 8 floors tall. It's built with a strong frame of steel and reinforced concrete. The outside of the building is covered with a special material called terra cotta. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay that can be shaped and colored.
The front of the building is divided into three main parts. The bottom two floors are where the storefronts are located. The middle five floors have windows separated by metal panels. These panels have cool raised designs on them. The very top floor has windows that are divided by decorative terra cotta shields.
