Park Avenue Historic District | |
 Park Avenue Historic District, looking south from across I-75 | |
| Location | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°20′15″N83°3′13″W / 42.33750°N 83.05361°W /42.33750; -83.05361 |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000396[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1997 |
| Designated MSHS | April 18, 1996[2] |
ThePark Avenue Historic District is ahistoric district located inDetroit, Michigan, along Park Avenue between Adams St. and I-75. The district includes theWomen's City Club, theDetroit Building, and thePark Avenue House. The district was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1996[2] and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1997.[1]
In the 1920s, Detroit's prestigiousGrand Circus Park was crowded with buildings.[3] The automotive boom in the city increased the pressure for office space, and development began to spill north from Grand Circus Park up Park Avenue.[3] In 1922,Albert Kahn designed thePark Avenue Building, located at the entrance to Park Avenue (but included in the neighboringGrand Circus Park Historic District). Other architects and artisans contributed hotels, apartment buildings, and office buildings to the structures on Park Avenue.[3]
In 1923, the Park Avenue Association was formed.[2] They planned the street to concentrate high-grade commercial and office space at the south end, and prestigious residential development at the north end.[2] As the district developed, Detroiters consciously perceived it as their city's version of New York City'sFifth Avenue.[2]
Also on Park Avenue wasWomen's City Club and the Detroit chapter of theColony Club, both critical in providing women with social and work activities and supporting women's suffrage.[3]
The area was used decreasingly during theGreat Depression, but saw a resurgence afterWorld War II, with a mix of social groups and multiple restaurant and entertainment venues.[3] At the same time, an industrial character was added to the district when theIodent Chemical Company began manufacturing toothpaste in a building along Park Avenue.[2] The proximity of theFox Theatre and other nearby venues (includingComerica Park) has led to increased redevelopment in the 2000s.[3] The Iodent Building has been redeveloped into lofts, the Colony Club has been refurbished, and two new entertainment venues, Cliff Bell's and the Park Bar, have opened.[4]
The district was listed on the state register of historic places in 1996, and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[2]
The Park Avenue Historic District contains thirteen buildings. Two of these (theWomen's City Club and thePark Avenue House) are separately listed on the National Register. Two additional buildings on either side of Park Avenue at West Adams (thePark Avenue Building and theKales Building), are located within theGrand Circus Park Historic District, and thus not included in this district.[5]
| Name | Image | Year | Location | Style | Architect | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's City Club |  | 1922 | 2110 Park Avenue | William B. Stratton; Waldridge & Aldinger | Listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. | |
| Detroit Building |  | 1923 | 2210 Park Avenue | Beaux-Arts | Arnold & Shreve | Renovated in 2009. Listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. |
| Park Avenue House |  | 1924 | 2305 Park Avenue | Louis Kamper | The Town Pump Taven is located on the ground floor of the high rise residential building. Listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. |
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See also:List of tallest buildings in Detroit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
