Merchants Building

The Merchants Building is an eight-story structure at 206 East Grand River Avenue featuring a white terra cotta exterior with decorative shields adorning the top floor windows. Four ground-floor storefronts occupy the corner location where Broadway and Grand River Avenue meet.

John Barlum commissioned architects Bonnah & Chaffee to design this building in 1922, replacing a previous structure that had housed a German-language newspaper since 1890. The new construction marked a shift in how the block was developed and used.

The building reflects Detroit's commercial growth in the 1920s, when it housed a diverse range of businesses from furriers and grocers to insurance companies. This mix of tenants shows how active and varied the downtown area was at that time.

The building sits at a clearly visible corner in the downtown area, making it easy to locate. Ground-level storefronts offer direct street access and can be reached from either adjacent street.

The white terra cotta facade was a deliberate design choice that made the building stand out when many others around it were darker. This bright exterior has allowed it to remain visually distinctive even after many decades.

Location: Detroit

Address: 206 East Grand River Avenue

GPS coordinates: 42.33470,-83.04580

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45