School, Midtown, since 1896
Old Main
Still standing, photographed 2021
- Opened
- 1896
- Style
- Romanesque Revival
- Standing
- 130 years
Designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham
Old Main has stood on Cass Ave. in Midtown since 1896, 130 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
What is there now
Standing and open
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
Old Main opened in 1896, as Detroit's lumber, stove and shipbuilding money went into brick and stone.
Malcomson & Higginbotham drew the plans, in the Romanesque Revival style.
It still stands and still opens its doors.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 4841 Cass Ave and look up.
Timeline
- 1896 Built Designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham
- 2026 Today 130 years and still standing
Where it is
4841 Cass Ave.
On this map
- 1 Old Main This place
- 2 Thompson Home 270 ft
- 3 Wayne State University Buildings 290 ft
- 4 Hilberry Theatre 300 ft
- 5 Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center 310 ft
- 6 Mulford T. Hunter House 390 ft
- 7 George W. Loomer House 420 ft
- 8 Warren--Prentis Historic District 520 ft
- 9 Mackenzie Hall (Webster Hall) 0.1 mi
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Malcomson & HigginbothamAmerican architectural firm based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Designed St. Joseph's Episcopal Church (1883) and 51 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Malcomson & Higginbotham
More from Detroit in the 1890s
-
Majestic Building
Building, built 1896, Beaux Arts, by Daniel H. Burnham, demolished 1961
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Harmonie Club
Building, built 1895, Beaux Arts, by Richard E. Raseman
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Coronado Apartments
Building, built 1894, Romanesque Revival, by William S. Joy
Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Hurlbut Memorial Gate
Monument, built 1894, Beaux Arts
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Belle Isle Pavilion, [Pavilion, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4294-2180-thumb-512916ec9d.jpg)
Belle Isle Pavilion
Building, built 1893, by Spier & Rohns, demolished 1950
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
![Floral Clock at Water Works Park, Floral clock, Water [Works] Park, Detroit, Mich.](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4470-2305-thumb-1a3e4ef4e0.jpg)
Floral Clock at Water Works Park
Monument, built 1893
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
Around the block
It is in Midtown. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
-
Thompson Home
Built 1884, Queen Anne
Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
270 ft
-
Wayne State University Buildings
Historic district
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
290 ft
-
Hilberry Theatre
House of worship, built 1917, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
Photo: Saul Vielmetti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
300 ft
- Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center Building, built 1917, Neo-classicism, by Field, Hinchman & Smith 310 ft
-
Mulford T. Hunter House
Historic home, Queen Anne style architecture in the United States
Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
390 ft
-
George W. Loomer House
Historic home, Richardsonian Romanesque
Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
420 ft
-
Warren--Prentis Historic District
Historic district
Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
520 ft
- Mackenzie Hall (Webster Hall) School, built 1925, Italian Renaissance, by Halpin & Jewell, demolished 1991 0.1 mi
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Wayne State University's Old Main in Detroit, Michigan (United States), 2021 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.