Location

The Elliott Building was added to the northwest corner of Grand River Ave. and Woodward Ave. (Barns Block) in 1894 at the cost of about $80,000. The 6-story building, designed with distinctive red brick and red terra cotta is located on the site of the home of Detroit’s first Mayor, General John R. Williams. John R. Street was named in his honor.

Where once a white picket fence surrounded the mayor’s home, the Elliott Building was constructed to house the mercantile business run by William H. Elliott. The building served as the locale of The William H. Elliott Dry Goods Store which provided carpets, draperies, and children’s clothing until 1909.

In 1910, William H. Elliott Company consolidated with the Taylor-Woolfenden Company under the name of Elliott-Taylor-Woolfenden Company and operated in the building until a new building was erected on the southwest corner of Woodward Ave. and Henry St. in May of 1911.

Kresge’s operated in the Elliott Building starting in the late teens as a “25 cent to $1” green front store. This Kresge location carried higher-priced merchandise compared to the Kresge Store #1 (a 5 and 10 cent store at 1201 Woodward Ave.).

In 1939 after a modernization, the store changed to a “5 cent to $1” store. In 1951, a “root beer department” was installed. The S.S. Kresge’s located in the Elliott Building closed December 31st, 1959 after an inability to negotiate a new lease.

In 1961-1969 a portion of the basement was used as a gym/health center. Butler’s Shoes was located in the northern storefront in the late 1970’s. Later in the ‘70’s, a women’s clothing chain House of Nine occupied the 2nd floor. The last tenant in the building was Eastern Wigs and Beauty Supply who occupied the first floor until September 1997.

In 1961-1969 a portion of the basement was used as a gym/health center. Butler’s Shoes was located in the northern storefront in the late 1970’s. Later in the ‘70’s, a women’s clothing chain House of Nine occupied the 2nd floor. The last tenant in the building was Eastern Wigs and Beauty Supply who occupied the first floor until September 1997.

Today ownership belongs to Elliott Building, LLC, a firm dedicated to restoring Detroit’s glorious past for an exciting future. Elliott Building, LLC is committed to offering luxury boutique residences in the heart of Detroit’s Lower Woodward Historic District.