New Center Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New Center Commercial Historic District
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Woodward and Milwaukee, looking northeast
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| Location | Woodward Ave, Baltimore St. to Grand Blvd Detroit, Michigan |
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| Architect | Albert Kahn, Varney & Winter, O'Dell & Diehl, Hyde & Williams |
| Architectural style | Commercial, Neoclassical, Art Deco and Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000218 |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 2016 |
The New Center Commercial Historic District is a special area in Detroit, Michigan. It's a collection of old shops and buildings along Woodward Avenue, between Baltimore Street and Grand Boulevard. This area is part of what's known as the New Center of Detroit. In 2016, it was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important place worth preserving.
A Look Back: How the District Grew
Early Days of Woodward Avenue
Woodward Avenue started out as an old trail used by Native Americans. It became a main road in 1805-1806. This was part of a big plan to rebuild Detroit after a fire in 1805. By 1820, Woodward Avenue was a well-used road. It stretched from downtown Detroit all the way up to Six Mile Road.
Building Up the Neighborhood
By 1878, Detroit's neighborhoods were growing. They reached the area we now call the New Center Commercial Historic District. From 1878 to 1882, new housing areas were planned here. Building sped up when Grand Boulevard started being built in 1883. In 1885, Detroit officially took over all the land inside the Grand Boulevard circle, including this district.
A Hub for Business
The spot where Woodward Avenue and Grand Boulevard met was perfect for shops. Businesses started opening here by 1884. By 1889, both sides of Woodward, between Milwaukee and Baltimore, were full of shops. Some of these old buildings are still standing today. By 1897, shops had spread north to Grand Boulevard.
The Auto Industry's Impact
Around 1915, more buildings went up in the district. This was because the car industry was booming. Also, Henry Ford Hospital opened nearby. In 1922, General Motors started building its huge headquarters. This was just one block west of this district. Then, in 1927, Fisher Body began building the famous Fisher Building.
These two big buildings were meant to create a new downtown area. The Fisher brothers hoped this "New Center" would help ease traffic in Detroit's main business area. The late 1920s also saw more new buildings in the commercial district along Woodward.
Changes and Challenges
In 1936-1937, Woodward Avenue was made wider. This happened along most of its path, including through the New Center. Because of this, almost all the buildings on the west side of Woodward were torn down. The two buildings that remained were made shorter. They also got new fronts. New buildings filled in the empty spaces in the early 1940s.
However, Detroit's population started to shrink in the 1950s. The New Center, like much of the city, began to decline slowly. But General Motors stayed in the area, which helped keep the neighborhood stable. Also, the New Center Council, a local business group started in 1967, worked to make sure the shops in the district survived.
What You'll See Today
The district has fourteen buildings that contribute to its historic feel. There's also one building that doesn't quite fit the historic look. All the buildings are one to three stories tall. They are made of brick or stone. They show off different styles of architecture. These include Commercial style, Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Moderne.
This district is a good example of how local shopping areas grew in Detroit. They often popped up where major streets crossed. The New Center area has kept more of its lively business feel than many other old shopping districts. The buildings here are also in very good shape. They were built between the late 1880s and 1942.
East Side of Woodward: Baltimore to Milwaukee
- 6400-02 Woodward/11-21 West Baltimore Street, 1914: This two-story white brick building was built in 1914. It has three shop fronts facing Woodward and ten along Baltimore. The second floor has large windows.
- 6408-16 Woodward, around 1885: This two-story building was likely two separate buildings at first. It has four sections. The first floor has shop fronts. The second floor is covered in metal panels.
- 6420-26 Woodward, around 1885: This is a two-story building with a Commercial style. The first floor is covered in marble tiles. The second floor has yellow brick. It has wide windows on the second floor.
- Detroit Hardware (6432 Woodward), around 1885: This two-story brick building was once part of a larger block. The Detroit Hardware Company has been in this building since 1933. The second floor has large windows.
- Detroit Savings Bank (6438 Woodward), 1916: This two-story bank building was designed by Albert Kahn. It's in the Neoclassical style. It has smooth limestone walls. The front has a grand entrance with columns.
East Side of Woodward: Milwaukee to Grand Boulevard
- Liggett Drug Store (6500 Woodward), 1929: This one-story Art Deco brick building was built in 1929. It has a colorful terra cotta front and a red tile roof. The front has orange, green, tan, and black tiles in a cool pattern.
- Neisner Brothers (6520 Woodward), 1929: This one-story brick building was built for Neisner Brothers. The shop front is framed in limestone. Limestone panels are also above the shop front.
- Sanders Confectionery (6532-34 Woodward), 1928 – Not Contributing: The Sanders Confectionery building was built by Fred Sanders in 1928. It was a candy store for many years. It's a single-story brick building with a metal and glass shop front.
- Center Theater (6538-40 Woodward), around 1900: This building started as two shops around 1900. In 1933, one part became the Center Theater. It was changed back to shops in 1952.
- 6550-68 Woodward, around 1896: This three-story building is at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Woodward. It still has many old Victorian features. It has shops on the ground floor. The upper floors have projecting bay windows.
West Side of Woodward: Milwaukee to Grand Boulevard
- Dime Savings Bank, 6501 Woodward, 1915: This three-story brick building was built in 1915. Part of the front was removed in 1941 when Woodward Avenue was widened. The first floor is covered in metal panels.
- 6513-29 Woodward, 1941: This is a single-story modern building. It was built in 1941 after Woodward Avenue was widened. Some parts of the front have been changed. It looks like three separate buildings now.
- Norwood Theater/Sanders Confectionery (6531-35 Woodward), 1915: The Norwood Theater was designed by Henry Joy. It was built in 1915. It got a new front in 1941. In 1966, Fred Sanders moved his Sanders Confectionery here. The front has three concrete arches.
- 6541-49 Woodward, 1941: Victor Bressler started building this in 1941. It now has three shop fronts of different sizes.
- F. W. Woolworth Store (6565 Woodward), 1940: This two-story building was built in 1940. It's a Moderne style building made of limestone. It was designed by Hyde and Williams for a Woolworth's department store. It has a square corner tower.
Images for kids
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Woodward and Milwaukee, looking southeast
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Woodward and Milwaukee, looking northwest
