Cass Motor Sales
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automobile dealership |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder | Richard A. Cott |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Fate | Closed |
| Headquarters | Detroit, Michigan , United States |
| Products | Chrysler automobiles, Marmon Motor Car Company vehicles |
The Cass Motor Sales building, situated at 5800 Cass Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986.
History
Founded in 1925 by English immigrant Richard A. Cott, the Cass Motor Sales Company initially operated as a Chrysler car dealership on Woodward Avenue.[1] In 1928, Cott invested close to $146,000 to commission the construction of the current structure, which was designed by architect Charles N. Agree.[2] Between 1928 and 1933, the dealership specialized in selling vehicles from the Marmon Motor Car Company.[3] Following Marmon's closure in 1933, the company resumed selling Chrysler automobiles. After Richard A. Cott’s passing in 1965, Cass Motor Sales continued until its closure in 1969. Subsequently, Dalgleish Cadillac acquired the property and maintained operations there until their dealership shut down in 2010.
In 2015, the building underwent renovation to accommodate retail space on the ground floor, which became home to Carhartt’s flagship store, while upper floors were converted into office areas.[4]
Architecture
The Cass Motor Sales building is a three-story rectangular edifice exemplifying commercial Art Deco design.[1] It was purpose-built to function as a combined showroom, sales office, and service facility.[5] The total area encompasses approximately 51,000 square feet distributed over three levels.[2]
The facade features four bays separated by engaged columns; three bays share equal dimensions while the fourth, smaller bay includes a vehicle entrance.[3] The main pedestrian entry is centrally positioned within the third bay. Originally, the exterior showcased an elegant combination of black marble and colored panels,[6] with marble extending across the base of each bay and black metal panels creating a decorative band between the first and second floors.[3]
Distinctive Art Deco characteristics include a stepped arch framing both the entrance and second-floor windows, along with geometric motifs incorporated into the string course between the second and third stories as well as above the main entry.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedwoodward - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcar - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namednom - ↑ Carhartt opens new Detroit flagship store
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedaia - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddet1701
Template:Industrial landmarks within metropolitan Detroit Template:University–Cultural Center Multiple Resource Area Template:National Register of Historic Places listings in Michigan
- National Register of Historic Places in Detroit
- Buildings and structures finalized in 1928
- Art Deco style architecture in Michigan
- Auto dealerships listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Transportation-related buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan
- Works by Charles N. Agree
- Establishments from 1928 in Michigan
- Auto dealerships on the National Register of Historic Places