Equity Chambers on Chatham St. in downtown Windsor, hides the story of its history behind a renovation. Looking at the architectural styling of the facade, I would guess this renovation took place in the late 1920’s. When the old City hall was demolished, and while the current one was under construction, Equity Chambers served as the interim City Hall in 1955 and 1956.
The building was originally built in 1911 as a Piano factory for the Grinnell Brothers of Detroit.
Walking through the alley you get a look at the original 1911 skin of the building.
On the western elevation, the name GRINNELL can still be made out right by the lampost. Compare the font to the one in the old photo above from 1913, and you can see that it’s a match.
A detail shot of the wall.
Unexpected parts of our history are hidden in plain sight. 🙂
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Shawn, no not all of our problems are becasue of this council and mayor but I have to ask. Whathave they done to alleviate the issues? Where is the legislation to change our downtown? Where is the committment from the city?
If they spent as much time and money on our downtown as they do/did on Greenlink or threatening to sue the county or going after the ABC, our downtown would be a wonderful place to shop. Until then I will call it as I see it.
I think the Chatham Street Grill was sort of Gas Company, back in the 30s-40s. I maybe mistaken.
Also between The Chatham Street Grill and the Beer Market, there is a little doorway with the date 1912 engraved in stone.
Yeah, I've noticed the little doorway too...
Is that the access to the lofts upstairs?
I actually thought it was older, like something built in the late 1800s. When I google it, it says Grinnel Brothers was making pianos in Windsor from 1908 to 1941. If the keystone on the Chatham Street Grill says 1912 and it's further south of the River, I'd be guessing it was built in 1908.
Come on David, it didn't take 4 years to build to the other side of the road.
The photo above was from 1913, I have the building listed as being built in 1911. I believe that Grinnell was building somewhere else before they built their own building.
What is the 1911 date based on? City records, keystone or newspaper?
You know what puzzles me. Here's an article on the Grinnel Bros Factory in Windsor. http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/199705/1997.05.06.07.html It says the factory opened in 1908. Then, it says in 1924, the building burned down at 126 Ouellette and was rebuilt on the same site. Was the Grinnell Factory actually two seperate buildings with one being on the other side of Ouellette? Maybe the original building was at 126 Ouellette and they expanded to the Chatham building in 1911. Or did they get the address wrong and the factory was only the building on Chatham and this building caught fire in 1924 and was rebuilt?
The 1911 date is based on City Records.
Taking the information from your link, it doesn't seem right. 126 Ouellette after the renumbering in 1935 became 184. That puts it in the middle of the Manning Block, where the Royal Bank was just north of the Canada Gift Shop and Stanfields.
This building was a Hotel built in the 1880's, and as it's still there did not burn down. I think the information in your link might not be the most accurate.