Nickels Arcade

The Nickels Arcade, constructed between 1915 and 1918, is unique to Ann Arbor as an example of the small commercial 'arcade' or gallery. As such, and because of its excellent physical integrity, this classically detailed structure is an important part of Ann Arbor's architectural history. Nickels Arcade was also an important expansion of commercial development along State Street, adjacent to the University of Michigan Central Campus. The project was implemented by Tom E. Nickels. The Nickels family has long been associated with the Ann Arbor's business history. Tom E. Nickels inherited a portion of the site of the future facade from his father, John H. Nickels, who had owned and operated a meat market on State Street. Tom purchased other portions of the site from his brothers and sister. Construction of the Arcade began in 1915. Building contractor A.R. Cole and Company worked according to the plans of Ann Arbor architect Hermann Pipp. A note in The Daily Times News of October 19, 1915 indicated that the Farmer's & Mechanic's Bank, which occupied space at the southeast corner of the arcade building, with an entrance facade directly on State Street, was soon to have a formal opening. The rest of the arcade was constructed over the next three years. It was not completed until 1918. At the time of the Arcade's construction, it was generally believed that there would be an increasing tendency for businesses to be developed on an east-west axis between the State Street and Main Street business districts. The Nickels project probably reflected or responded to this thinking. However, the arcade idea was certainly new for Ann Arbor. Larger arcades, such as those in Cleveland (the Colonial Arcade and the Euclid Avenue Arcade) enjoyed popularity in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in some United States cities. Such commercial developments possessed a civic connotation as well as a commercial one because the enclosed passageway functioned as a public space. Nickels undoubtedly was conscious that he was giving to Ann Arbor a public amenity as well as providing a new type of commercial space for the city. Architect Pipp designed the Nickels Arcade in the classical style. This design language held considerable currency in the early twentieth century for both commercial and public architecture, reflecting the influence of the Ecole des Beaux Arts, the Chicago Exposition of 1893, and the White City/City Beautiful movement. The terra cotta cladding and ornamentation was also characteristic of public buildings of the period. This material was popular because of its lightness, ease of modeling, durability, versatility, and fire-resistance.

Nickels Arcade is a 261-foot long gallery or arcade which links State Street on the east with Maynard Street on the west in Ann Arbor. The principal facade faces onto State Street and is set into a row of two-story late nineteenth century and early twentieth century commercial buildings. It faces the northwest corner of the University of Michigan Central Campus. The State Street facade is faced and detailed with architectural terra cotta of classical design and consists of a giant three-story, three-bay open portico flanked by store/office blocks. On Maynard Street the arcade is flanked by twentieth century structures. This facade faces a modern apartment/shops/parking complex across the street to the west. The Maynard Street facade is similar to the State Street facade in design, though the primary material used here is yellow brick, with ornamental detailing of terra cotta. Also, the bays of the Maynard Street portico are filled in with glass panels and doors in aluminum frames, all of recent construction. The gallery itself is roofed with a gable skylight of metal-framed wire-glass panels. The gallery is flanked by blocks of shops which face onto the roofed passage at ground floor level. Windows of second story offices also face onto the airy passage. Five stairways, all simple and utilitarian in nature, lead from the arcade walkway to second and third floor spaces. Square skylights provide daylight at the top of each stairway. The arcade is divided into three distinct sections. The eastern portion continues the terra cotta cladding and detailing of the State Street facade. In addition, this section of the gallery is divided into four bays which are articulated by giant pilasters of identical design to those of the facade portico. The eastern portion of the gallery is set apart from the rest of the gallery by a segmental archway. At the west end, a similar archway sets the western entrance vestibule apart from the eastern sections of the gallery. The south wall of this vestibule slants to the southwest to accommodate a stair which leads to the basement of the building. Arcade flooring consists of blocks of square red tile pavers set into black borders of a modern asphaltic material. Blocks of glass tiles are set into the pavement to assist in lighting the basement area below. Nickels Arcade is essentially equivalent to a three-story structure. At the State Street facade this three-story character is evident in the fenestration of the block to the north of the portico. However, throughout the rest of the gallery complex and as indicated by the fenestration of the block to the south of the portico, the ground floor facilities are the equivalent of two stories in height, sometimes with a mezzanine defining the second story, while the offices above occupy the third floor level. Most windows, at the street facades and along the arcade, are original wood double-hung or casement units, many with transoms. The only alterations are the removal of some sash to allow the installation of window air-conditioning units, and the replacement of a few of the original windows at the west facade with aluminum units.