Detroit Buildings by Hugh T. Miller

[antonyj11]

I have not posted on this forum frequently but I know there are quite a few people that are very knowledgeable about Detroit Architecture on here. I am trying to find out more about an architect named Hugh T. Miller and the buildings he has designed in Detroit - specifically, whether or not he designed my apartment building in the New Center area back in 1923. So far, I have not been able to find much information about him on the internet or at the Burton Collection at the Detroit Public Library.

If anyone has heard of this guy or knows anything about his work, I would appreciate any leads.

[Allan]

To be perfectly honest I've never heard of this architect. What are some of his works?

A quick google search of his name yielded nothing. Usually the Burton Historical Collection is your best bet, but you already tried that. I know some people who go so far as to go through old phone books and everything when doing research.

I will do some further searching and see what I can come up with.

[antonyj11]

I'm actually trying to verify whether or not my apartment building (pictured above on Seward street in the New Center area) is in fact an Albert Kahn building. I haven't found a reliable source to confirm this for sure as yet (other than the developer). However, the city's Planning and Development Department, Buildings and Safety Department and Historic District Commission claim that it was designed by this guy named Hugh T. Miller. Like you, I have never heard of him as well and was hoping to find out some more information to find out whether he really was an architect.

A little about the building: it is a French Renaissance structure builtin 1923. For those who know more about Albert Kahn and his works, does it look like something he would have designed in 1923?

[Allan]

I can't see the photo posted above...something isn't working right.

Anyway, you should try contacting Albert Kahn Associates. They have all of the plans for all their jobs down in the basement.

[Nitro]

I can't see the photo posted above...something isn't working right.

Anyway, you should try contacting Albert Kahn Associates.  They have all of the plans for all their jobs down in the basement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think that's true anymore. I heard most of the old man's drawings went to the archive at U of M.

Nitro

[antonyj11]

I don't think that's true anymore.

[Allan]

Nitro,

I talked to a guy who works at AKA just two months ago, and he said that all their drawings are in the basement. I do know that U of M has a significant amount of Albert Kahn material, as does LTU. Architecture firms have a way of producing mountains of blueprints and paperwork, so who knows.

Antonyj11,

My best guess is that Hugh T. Miller was a contractor or builder, but it's hard to know. You might try checking at city hall. Go up to the 4th floor, where they have all the permits and related documents to every property in the city. You never know what you're going to find there. Just a word of warning though...the people who work in that office tend to be kind of rude.

Btw, I can see your pic now.

[antonyj11]

Antonyj11,

My best guess is that Hugh T. Miller was a contractor or builder, but it's hard to know.  You might try checking at city hall.  Go up to the 4th floor, where they have all the permits and related documents to every property in the city.  You never know what you're going to find there.  Just a word of warning though...the people who work in that office tend to be kind of rude. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I did go and obtain the original building permit from December 2nd, 1922 and Hugh T. Miller's name does appear on it. However, it doesn't say what his title is. I also obtained a copy of the research that went into creating the New Center Historic District in 1982 from the Historic Designation Advisory Board. Their research specifically singles out the building (the only apartment building singled out on the block) and states that the building was designed by Hugh T. Miller (who noone seems to have heard of). However, the developer sold it as an Albert Kahn designed building and this was repeated by the Free Press as well. I'm hoping that Albert Kahn Associates responds since I would imagine they would want to both protect and verify Kahn's legacy.