Michigan Avenue Historic Commercial District

The Michigan Avenue Historic Commercial District is a group of commercial buildings located along the south side of two blocks of Michigan Avenue, from 3301–3461, in Detroit. This section of buildings is the most intact collection along this stretch of Michigan Avenue. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
History.
During the mid-19th century, Detroit became home to numerous German immigrants. They initially settled on the east side of the city, along Gratiot near the central business district. However, as the city grew and pushed its boundaries westward, the German community established a neighborhood on the city's west side, beyond Corktown. The commercial heart of the German neighborhood was along Michigan Avenue from 22nd to 24th Street. By 1887, this section was built up with primarily brick commercial buildings. The businesses represented included a wood and coal business, a carriage and wagon shop, a shoe store, saloon, butcher, and grocer. A number of new buildings were constructed in the district around this time, including the 1887 Reeber Building and the 1889 Schulte and Kaiser Building. By 1897, the commercial district extended along both sides of Michigan Avenue, with buildings occupying all lots available. However, the buildings on the northern side have been largely demolished, leaving only the section on the southern side.
By 1900, the rise of Detroit manufacturing had made the area around the district substantially industrial, and the residential neighborhoods attractive to factory workers. The commercial section along Michigan Avenue flourished, with all kinds of businesses represented. As the automobile became more common, the section of industrial plants became concentrated in larger operations. By 1929, the district was still a flourishing commercial areal, housing a grocer, jeweler, movie house, candy store, bank, interior decorator, and furniture store.
However, by 1940, the Great Depression had taken its toll, and there were an increased number of vacancies. A project in the mid-1930s to widen Michigan Avenue had also resulted in the loss of some buildings, particularly some of the stock opposite the current district on the north side of Michigan. By 1950, many of the local automotive factories had moved to larger, more modern plants, and the surrounding neighborhood was in decline. Additionally, the architecture seen in the commercial district was out of style, and newer buildings were constructed to be more modern. A city planning project demolished many of the houses south if Michigan Avenue to make room for more industry, and the area became less desirable to live in. Businesses along the section of Michigan Avenue dwindled, and by the late 1960s many of the buildings were vacant.
Description.
The two-block section of Michigan Avenue defining the district contains 18 buildings, 13 of which are historically significant. These are all commercial structures, ranging from one to three stories, and were constructed primarily between 1884 and 1925. The buildings represent typical late 19th century and early 20th century commercial styles, in particular Italianate and Commercial Style. Several of the buildings have been modernized with alterations to their facades.
The buildings included in the district are: