Building, Rivertown, since 1891
Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant
Photographed standing in 1891
- Opened
- 1891
- Style
- Romanesque Revival
- Standing
- 135 years
Designed by Albert Kahn, Donaldson & Meier and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
The Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant has stood on Bounded by Joseph Campau Ave. in Rivertown since 1891, 135 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
More photos of Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant
What is there now
Standing
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 24, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
In 1891, as Detroit's lumber, stove and shipbuilding money went into brick and stone, the Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant opened in Rivertown.
The design came from Albert Kahn; Donaldson & Meier and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, in the Romanesque Revival style.
It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Next time you are nearby, stop at Bounded by Joseph Campau Ave., Wight St., and McDougal Ave and look up.
The historic River Place (also known as Stroh River Place) is located in Detroit, Michigan, bounded by Joseph Campau Avenue, Wight Street, McDougall Street, and the Detroit International Riverfront. It was formerly the Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Plant. The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Timeline
- 1891 Built Designed by Albert Kahn, Donaldson & Meier, and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
- 1985 Listed on the National Register September 16, 1985
- 2026 Today 135 years and still standing
Where it is
Bounded by Joseph Campau Ave., Wight St., and McDougal Ave.
On this map
- 1 Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant This place
- 2 300 River Place 300 ft
- 3 River Place Luxury Apartments 390 ft
- 4 Parke-Davis Research Laboratory 470 ft
- 5 Atwater Brewery and Tap House 0.1 mi
- 6 Joseph Campau House 0.2 mi
- 7 Garden Court Apartments 0.2 mi
- 8 Franklin H. Walker House 0.2 mi
- 9 WGPR-TV Studio 0.2 mi
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Albert KahnAmerican architect, 1869 to 1942. Designed the General Motors Building (1922) and 114 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Albert Kahn
- Bernard Ginsburg House 1898
- Frederick Stearns Building 1899
- Palms Apartment House 1902
- Parke-Davis Research Laboratory 1902
- Packard Plant 1903
- Temple Beth-El (1902-1903) 1903
Architect
Donaldson & MeierAmerican architectural firm, founded 1882. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 58 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Donaldson & Meier
Architect
Smith, Hinchman & GryllsAmerican architectural and engineering company, founded 1853. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 68 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
More from Detroit in the 1890s
-
Detroit Club
Building, built 1891, Richardsonian Romanesque, by Wilson Eyre
Photo: Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
House of worship, built 1891, Richardsonian Romanesque, by Mason & Rice
Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Dunbar Memorial Hospital
Monument, built 1892, Romanesque Revival
Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, 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
-
Globe Tobacco Building
Building, built 1889, Richardsonian Romanesque, by William Scott & Co.
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Rivertown. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
- 300 River Place Building, built 1929, Romanesque Revival, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls 300 ft
- River Place Luxury Apartments Building, built 1894, by Donaldson & Meier 390 ft
-
Parke-Davis Research Laboratory
Hotel, built 1902, Romanesque Revival, by Donaldson & Meier
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
470 ft
- Atwater Brewery and Tap House Built 1916 0.1 mi
-
Joseph Campau House
Built 1835
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.2 mi
-
Garden Court Apartments
Building, built 1915, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.2 mi
-
Franklin H. Walker House
Built 1896, Neo-Jacobean
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company Collection, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
0.2 mi
-
WGPR-TV Studio
Building, built 1961
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.2 mi
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Parke-Davis Plant in Detroit MI--building on the Detroit River Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Parke-Davis Plant in Detroit MI: Looking north along McDougal Avenue Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Parke-Davis Plant in Detroit MI --Building in complex Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Parke-Davis Plant in Detroit MI, looking north along J. Campau Ave Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Parke-Davis Research Laboratory Detroit MI (formerly the Omni Hotel) Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Parke-DAvis plant, Detroit, c 1891 Photo: James J. Mitchell, public domain, 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.