Wayne State University Buildings

The Wayne State University Historic District is significant as a symbol of the University's tradition of adapting a variety of dissimilar structures to the academic needs of a large urban university. It is also significant for the architecture of each of its individual components. Wayne State University traces its beginnings to the founding of the Detroit Medical College in 1868. The University evolved most directly, however, from the junior college courses added to the curriculum of Detroit's Central High School in 1913. The Junior College received legislative sanction in 1917 and became a four year institution, the College of the City of Detroit, in 1923. Growth was slow during the 1930s, but the school experienced an enrollment 'boom' following World War II which continued into the 1970s. Wayne State is located in an urban environment and its enrollment has always outpaced it capital improvements. The University has been forced, therefore, to adapt existing structures for academic and other uses. The main administration building, Mackenzie Hall, was once a hotel. The Center for Urban Studies is located in a 100-year-old residential structure as are numerous other offices and classrooms. Although many structures which temporarily housed University functions have been demolished to make room for new facilities, some of the adapted buildings have become an integral part of campus tradition as well as the University's masterplan. The largest building in the Wayne State University Historic District is Old Main, the original T of which was erected in 1896 to house Detroit Central High School. By World War I, Central High had achieved national recognition for the quality of its academic program. To assist students who wanted to continue their education but could not afford to go to college, college level courses in arts, sciences and pre-medical studies were added to the curriculum in 1913. Four years later the Detroit Board of Education created the Detroit Junior College. This grew into the four year College of the City of Detroit in 1923. Although a new wing had been added to Central High in 1907, by 1924 it was obvious that the building was not large enough for both the College and the High School. In 1926 Central High School relocated and Old Main was occupied by City College and by a new College of Pharmacy which the Board of Education had authorized in 1924.

The Wayne State University Historic District is bounded by Second Avenue, Warren Avenue, Cass Avenue to the Mackenzie House property line, the alley adjacent the Hilberry Theater, and West Hancock Street. The Mackenzie House is a two and a half story red brick structure built in 1895. Its most prominent feature is a two and a half story, three-quarter round tower with a conical turret which rises above three round windows located on the southeast corner. A large, wooden one story classically detailed porch extends across the east and north facades to the main entrance. Chimneys are located on the slate topped hipped west roof, between the tower and the south gable, and along the ridge line of the north gable. Bracketed and slate covered, the north and south and east facade gable ends contain Palladian windows. The Hilberry Theater, a large rectangular building constructed in 1917, is 120 feet wide, 150 feet long, and 50 feet high from the sidewalk to the top of the wall coping. Derived from the Neo-Classical Revival, the Roman Ionic style is used throughout the building. One of the building's strongest features is its classic decoration defined by panelled cream glazed brickwork. The north front facade employs Roman temple design with a rectangular parapet instead of a triangular pediment. Six fluted Ionic columns flanked by two engaged half columns support the entablature with egg and dart molding between the volutes. Seven recessed bays lie behind the plane of the colonnade, with windows on the second floor, and three doors separated by windows on the first floor. The door frames are surrounded by molding and projecting lintels supported on consoles. The same molding surrounds the windows on the first floor. Windows on both first and second floors are of rectangular casement style with wooden mullions and diagonal glazing bars. The same design is found in the transoms over the doors. The two floors are separated by a belt course of running Greek meander design with a string course just beneath. Flagpoles in each of the seven bays protrude from between the columns. Two antae on either side of the colonnade are faced by simple fluted Doric pilasters with Greek meander design in the echinus and brick panelling between the pilasters. The entablature has a plain architrave capped with quirked cyma recta molding and a frieze with a design of repeating recessed panels topped with a dentil molding. The parapet portion above the cornice consists of two small panels which flank a large plain panel upon which was once inscribed, First Church of Christ, Scientist. The east (Cass Avenue) side of the building is executed in the same style as the front facade. Seven bays with windows divided by pilasters and separated by stringcourses are flanked by two wider end bays each with doorways. The door frames are surrounded by moldings which support triangular pediments. Wrought iron railings leading to the doors match the window design. The alley side and back of the building have some matching decoration, but are otherwise much plainer than the facades exposed to public view.