Welcome to Grand Rapids Buildings website featuring the architectural history of Grand Rapids, neighboring cities and suburbs, 1870 to 1970. Scroll down to read feature stories and follow virtual street tours. Check out the Index of Architects and Builders. Use the contact form to share information.
MODERN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RESTORED. Photo of Cull Group Building at 1432 Wealthy Street SE by Cathy Seaver, Cull Group, Inc.
Coming soon! The story of the Hermitage (the old Third Reformed Church is being saved from “demolition by neglect.”
The Furniture Exhibition Buildings provided display space for the growing Grand Rapids Furniture Market. Photo of the Waters Building by Pam VanderPloeg 2017.
All that remains of the glorious Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium is the impressive facade and art deco lobby. This building was built on the banks of the Grand River on Lyon Street despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression.
SIDNEY J. OSGOOD WAS ONE OF THE EARLIEST GRAND RAPIDS ARCHITECTS. Read about the historic civic, commercial and church buildings he designed himself and with son Eugene S. Osgood.
About E John Knapp AIA, 1916-2017, mid-century modern architect who lived to be 101. Varsity Grill Photo by Pam VanderPloeg copyright 2017.
ENJOY A VIRTUAL TOUR OF DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS STREETS. Photo of the Flat Iron Building by Pam VanderPloeg copyright 2017.
THE MANY STYLES OF ALEXANDER MCCOLL. McColl, meticulously researched the various styles his clients requested from historic revival styles like English Tudor to Mid-century Modern.
FULTON STREET ENCOMPASSES NEARLY 200 YEARS OF GRAND RAPIDS ARCHITECTURE . Did you know that Albert Kahn designed the first Grand Rapids Press Building or that the Grand Rapids Art Museum was first located in the 1848 Greek Revival home of Abram Pike? Read more...
These iconic modern buildings were designed by Chicago firm SOM. Punctuated by the iconic Calder sculpture, there is also a Calder painting covering the roof of one of them.
Temple Emanuel was designed by modern expressionist architect Erich Mendelsohn. Completed in 1955, the Temple is one of Grand Rapids most beautiful modern buildings.
GRAND RAPIDS PARK-SCHOOLS REPRESENT A GROUP OF ICONIC MID-CENTURY SCHOOLS BUILT FORM 1951--1960. These schools have met a variety of fates and some are still vital community schools. Read more.
