This large apartment building at the corner of University and Randolph has long been one of my favourite buildings in the city.
Built in 1924 the building is typical of the era. It was built by two Detroit businessmen, Walter A. Dousseau and Thomas W. Murray. They operated several similar building throughout Detroit.
The building when built contained 36 apartments, each with “four rooms and a bath”.
According to newspaper reports at the time, each apartment consisted of a living room with a wall bed, a dining room, bedroom and kitchen as well as a “well fitted bathroom”. One of the key features were the electric ranges and the “electric iceless refrigerator” in each unit.
A rendering of the building from while it was under construction. The architect is unknown, although I suspect it may be Albert Lothian. In his list of works is a 36 unit apartment building listed as being on Victoria Avenue. I suspect it may have been the Victoria Manor apartments, since it was/is also a 36 unit building. Just a gut feeling that they might be the same building. 1924 would have been earlier in Lothian’s career, which could also explain the more standard design compared to some of his later works.
I have always loved this building. I guess in 1924 having a bathroom of any type, let alone a “well-fitted” one must have been pretty special. It never occurred to me that Albert Lothian was the architect but it fits. It reminds me of the Coronado (sp?)a bit.
seems like a well maintained building ya i guess people back then were more accustomed to the little shack with a half moon on the door LOL having an icebox must have been pretty novel back then as well
back in the 80’s i managed a 36 unit building with a full size swimming pool in the east end WHAT A HEADACHE!!
A friend of mine owned this place for years- sold it recently….
I dunno, looks like a pretty ordinary pile o’ bricks to me. Thousands just like it all over the continent.
Never gave it a second look when I lived here and now I know why.
Just think of all the stories and history that those walls could tell.
Just think of the stories and history that those walls could tell.
there’s a name for the beds that came out of the wall i don’t recall the proper name for them it sounds like these apartments might have been bachalor apartments i used to own a house in Riverside years ago i decided to remodel the kitchen when the guys doing the work ripped the walls own to the studs they found a fold out ironing board
gary: Murphy Bed.
thanks john
If you like this, check out the Paramount on 1250 Ouellette St., south of Giles ! !
I lived in the house next door in the early 1990s. This apartment was well-kept and in good condition.
I was never inside, but many tenants I talked to said it was nice inside. A nice mix of tenants, young professionals, retirees, professors and of course a few students being so close to university. It was a pretty quiet building.
I lived here for a number of years and prior to that I had a good friend who lived here. No two units were quite the same – and the lobby was very nice. I loved living here – it was not an “ordinary pile of bricks” by any means.