Parke-Davis Research Laboratory

Infobox_nrhp | name =Parke-Davis Research Laboratory
nrhp_type = nhl

---

caption =
location= Detroit, Michigan
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 13
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83
long_minutes = 0
long_seconds = 52
long_direction = W
locmapin = Michigan
area =
built =1873
architect= Unknown
architecture= No Style Listed
designated= May 11, 1976cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1627&ResourceType=Building
title=Parke-Davis Research Laboratory |accessdate=2008-05-03|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = May 11, 1976cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = Private
refnum=76001039

Parke-Davis Research Laboratory, also known as Building 55-Detroit Research, [http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/40296.htm Parke-Davis Research Laboratory] from the state of Michigan] is located on Joseph Campau Street at the Detroit River, in Detroit, Michigan. It was built as a research facility, but is now the Omni Detroit Hotel at River Place [http://www.detroit1701.org/Parke%20Davis.html Parke Davis Research Laboratory/ Parke Davis Building #55/ Omni Hotel] from Detroit1701.org]

History and appearnace

Parke-Davis moved its facilities to this location along the Detroit River in the 1870s to take advantage of the transportation provided by the river and nearby rail lines. [http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/detroit/d8.htm Parke-Davis and Company Plant and Research Laboratory] from the National Park Service.] The company eventually built 26 still-extant buildings in the area; the Parke-Davis campus as a whole is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the most significant structure in the group, the Parke-Davis Research Laboratory, is individually recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

The Research Laboratory was built in 1902 after Parke-Davis relocated the Detroit Boat Club to Belle Isle. [http://books.google.com/books?id=uu7pQ5RYkpwC Melanie Grunow Sobocinski, Michele Valerie Ronnick, Marlise Beaudoen, Alfred Berkowitz Gallery,] "Detroit and Rome: Building on the Past," The Regents of the Univ of Michigan, 2005ISBN 0933691092, p.97] The Detroit architectural firm of Donaldson & Meier designed the original building; later additions were designed by Albert Kahn. The building is a three-story brick building measuring approximately 120' x 40', and is typical example of public architecture of the period.

Significance

THe significance of the building, however, is not architectural. This building was the first industrial research laboratory in the U.S. established for the specific purpose of conducting pharmacological research, inaugurating the commercial pure science approach which has driven the rapid development of pharmaceutical technology. [http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18638_20846-54610--,00.html Parke-Davis Research Laboratory] from the state of Michigan Dept of History & Libraries]

Later history and current use

The research laboratory was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.Note: A National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination document should be available upon request from the National Park Service for this site, but it appears not to be available on-line from the [http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreghome.do?searchtype=natreghome NPS Focus search site] .] In 1979, Parke-Davis sold its property in Detroit, including the Research Laboratory, to the Stroh family (of Stroh Brewery Company).

The complex has been redeveloped for mixed use. The laboratory was eventually remodeled, and now serves as a hotel owned by Omni Hotels. National Park Service staff recommended withdrawal of landmark status in 2002 due to loss of the building's historic integrity during the conversion. [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1627&ResourceType=Building Parke-Davis Research Laboratory] from the National Historic Landmarks Program]

References

External links

* [http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.mi0171 Parke-Davis Industrial Site, Bounded by MacDougall & Joseph Campau Avenues, Detroit, Wayne County, MI: 20 photos and diagrams, and supplemental material] , at Historic American Building Survey, covers a number of related buildings but seemingly not this one, if it is correct that this one is Building 55.
* [http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/DetroitRiverPlace.aspx Omni Hotel] at River Place