The Gillespie Building
2901 Ross Ct, Midland, MI
Designed by Alden B. Dow FAIA in 1964.
The working drawings for the Gillespie Building were completed on March 1, 1965. The contract for the construction of this 5,880 square foot building, which was designed for medical and dental offices, was awarded to Gerace Construction Company of Midland for the initial cost of $89,000. At its completion in December 1965, the final cost amounted to $104,000.
The exterior of this professional building displays many of the familiar elements found in Alden B. Dow’s residential designs – a flat roof, bands of uniform windows, plaster spandrels, and horizontal wood fascia that separates upper and lower levels and projects beyond brick walls to form a covered entrance. On the interior, the lower level housed two separate dental suites, each one having a waiting room, office, darkroom, and three dental treatment rooms. The upper level was devoted to one medical practice, with a reception area, two offices, x-ray room, darkroom, lab, and five exam rooms.
In addition to the specialized dental and medical equipment, the furnishings throughout the building included Knoll tables and chairs (including children’s tables and chairs), Herman Miller sofas and chairs, Thonet chairs, and Nessen lamps.
The building was remodeled in 1968. Although shown on preliminary drawings, a future second building connected by a covered walkway was never built.