Forbes Management continues its on-going commitment to preservation in Detroit with work underway at the Women’s City Club Building on Park Avenue at Elizabeth. Forbes also owns the State Theater, Elwood Bar and the Gem and Century Theatre.
With the assistance of a façade matching grant from the DDA, Forbes is replacing the building’s windows with custom-made Pella windows that closely match the building’s originals. Forbes’ Alyn Thomas says, “It looks beautiful. It’s a beautiful historic building.”
The Women’s City Club was founded in 1919 to "to promote a broad acquaintance among women." The building was designed by William B. Stratton, husband of Mary Chase Perry Stratton, the founder of Pewabic Pottery. Perry Stratton was a member of the club and her tile work is found throughout the building. Membership in the club peaked in the 1930s with more than 8,000 members.
The most recent tenant of the building has been the Detroit Police Academy.
Source: Alyn Thomas, Forbes Management