Marchese Brothers Building, 1925

319-325 South Main Street

Marchese Brothers Building, 1925

Ann Arbor architect Hermann Pipp designed and built this pleasing brick and terra cotta commercial building for the Marchese Brothers. Related to the Art Deco style in its developmental period, the sculptural details of the facade give the building a Gothic character, adding texture and charm to South Main Street.

Demetrio and Anthony G. Marchese had their tailoring shop on the first floor with residences above, but the Depression years proved too difficult and ownership passed to Henry A. Whitker. Rentals during the 1930s were sporadic until Grinnell Brothers opened a combined musical instrument and appliance store in 1936 in the center section. In the course of time Grinnell's restricted sales to musical instruments and sheet music. The store expanded to occupy the entire ground level, until the firm moved to Briarwood in 1975. The ground floor now contains various retail shops with the upper floors converted to office use.