Graybar Electric Company Building

The Graybar Electric Company Building is a three-story industrial and residential structure in Midtown with symmetrical design in brick and concrete. The facade features brick piers rising from a stone string course between the first and second stories, characteristic of early 20th-century factory construction.

Built in 1926 by C.F. Haglin & Sons for Graybar Electric Company, which started in 1869 in Cleveland as an equipment supplier. The building served as the company's distribution center until the 1940s before taking on different roles.

The building embodies Detroit's shift from an industrial hub to a residential neighborhood, having transformed into lofts in 2000. This change shows how the city repurposes old factory spaces to create homes and revitalize communities.

The building sits on West Canfield Street in Midtown Detroit with good accessibility and nearby urban amenities. Visitors can explore surrounding galleries, restaurants, and cultural venues that make the area a center for arts and community activity.

After its time as a distribution center, the building housed the Detroit Board of Education's Audio-Visual Department for several decades. This lesser-known chapter shows how former industrial spaces in the city were repurposed for education and public service.

Location: Detroit

GPS coordinates: 42.35222,-83.06250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:45