5435 Fort Street
Roberts Brass Co., Roberts Brass Manufacturing Company, A. R. Cosgrove & Equipment Association, S. J. Tesayro & Co., Automatic Data Processing, Wayne County Community College, Universal Scientific & Industrial Supply
In 1905, D. H. Roberts began constructing a new factory for his brass manufacturing company. Roberts was formerly a part of the McRae & Roberts Brass Works on Canfield. The structure was designed by Pollmar & Ropes and would be dwarfed by the expansion that would come ten years after the initial construction was completed in 1906.
Pollmar & Ropes handled the addition, too, which was operational by 1916. It expanded the operation nearly three times in size. Roberts Brass Co. molded brass goods for steam, water, and gas fittings.
The addition was a fireproof construction and utilized reinforced concrete. Today it may appear in poor shape, but this design choice is why it still stands. The Kahn system, invented by Albert Kahn’s brother Julius, used reinforced bars to ensure that no portion of a structure was holding too much weight. I’m not certain if the Roberts Brass Co. Building utilized this exact method, but it was popular in Detroit post-1900. The original 1906 building did not use reinforced concrete.
In November 1947, D. H. Roberts son, Thomas, passed away unexpectedly at Harper Hospital. By this time, manufacturing in Detroit had already peaked and was starting to decline, even if only at a snail’s pace. By September 1949, the structure at 5435 Fort Street was for sale or lease. It was listed as mostly two stories with an attractive lobby and offices. It totaled 106,000 square feet.
An arm of Roberts Brass remained open in the early 1950s at the location, but I’m not confident in what capacity. Later, the A. R. Cosgrove & Equipment Association, S. J. Tesayro & Co., Automatic Data Processing, and Wayne County Community College (storage and liquidation sales) utilized the structure. At some point, the EPA did cleanup work to address hazardous wastes in or around the building. Their Superfund Site lists it as Providence Brass. I haven’t found anything about a company with that name.
Nailhed reported that “a company called Universal Scientific & Industrial Supply was based here as late as 1993.” A few weeks ago, I posted about 12301 Gratiot. Originally Engel Bros. Furniture, the structure was deemed unsafe due to chemicals left behind by a company called ‘Universal Scientific Industrial Supply.’ The Detroit Police Hazmat Team removed picric acid, an extremely hazardous chemical, and the building still stands. It sounds like that company may have owned this structure, too.
According to online records, Southend Village Center, LLC purchased 5435 Fort in 2006 for $392,000. If you’ve followed this page for a while, you know that when you’re in Detroit and find a phony-sounding LLC, there’s a good chance a slumlord is involved. The company is registered at 1600 Clay Street (Russel Industrial Complex), and the registered agent is Dennis Kefallinos.
After discovering who owns this building, the odd occurrences I’ve encountered here make a lot more sense. I’ve seen workers at the structure a handful of times, and to say they don’t follow OSHA or county guidelines would be the understatement of the century.
While walking down the sidewalk, taking photographs, I heard dogs barking inside. When I got to the gate, I saw two dogs fly out of a doorway. They were barking like mad, and a third dog arrived on the scene to check out the commotion. These weren’t stray dogs—they were well fed, cared for, and, apparently, guarding the building.
When I’ve come across dogs behind fences in the past, I’ve learned that if you stop moving and stare at them, they’ll typically reciprocate. This method worked, and, in the end, the one dog left was wagging its tail. When I moved again, she started barking and jumping around. I circled the building, and on my second trip by the gate, I noticed a dog I hadn’t seen before in the courtyard.
Although this building has been flirting with demolition recently, Kefallinos has done the minimum to spare it from the wrecking ball. I’m not typically a fan of overpriced lofts, but these would be some of the most unique offerings on the market, should that be their fate. The large courtyard has potential in the right hands, and Detroit 75 Kitchen is just across the street.
Until then, I hope those dogs enjoy their 106,000-square-foot mansion.
