Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

David Whitney Building

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021

1. David Whitney Building Marker

Inscription. Opened in 1915, this building was named for David Whitney, Jr. (1830-1900), a Detroit lumber, real estate and shipping magnate. During construction, the Detroit Free Press called it the “finest in the country.” Daniel H. Burnham and Company designed the structure with retail on the first four floors, including clothing stores and jewelers. A central four-story atrium allowed light into the interior of the upper-floor offices, most of which were medical. When the Whitney family sold the building in 1966, more than three hundred doctors and dentists had offices here. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Grand Circus Park Historic District in 1983. It reopened in 2014, rehabilitated for use as a hotel and apartments.

Erected 2016 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S0743.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 42° 20.156′ N, 83° 3.009′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. Marker is at the intersection

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of Park Avenue and Woodward Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Park Avenue. Wall-mounted on the gray marble, northeast corner of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Park Ave, Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Theater District (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison Memorial Fountain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Cotter Maybury (about 400 feet away); Hazen S. Pingree (about 400 feet away); Edwin Denby Enlistment (about 500 feet away); Central United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Vernor's Ginger Ale (about 500 feet away); Parker's Alley (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Additional commentary.
1. Grand Circus Park Historic District
The David Whitney building is part of the Grand Circus Park Historic District contains the 5-acre (2.0 ha) Grand Circus Park in Downtown Detroit, Michigan that connects the theatre district with its financial district. It is bisected by Woodward Avenue, four blocks north of Campus Martius Park, and is roughly bounded by Clifford, John R. and Adams Streets. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

— Submitted May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021

2. David Whitney Building Marker
Detroit's mass transit People Mover is in the overhead here with a station inside the building.
New Boston, Michigan.

David Whitney Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021

3. David Whitney Building

View looking west across Woodward Avenue

Photographed By Craig Doda, October 16, 2022

4. David Whitney Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on October 18, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.