The Old Brewery
Ann Arbor Apartments With Charm

 

History of The Old Brewery

Around 1865 John Adam Volz, a German brewer, built the brewery structure and his elaborate Italianate home next door. In 1868 Volz is listed as proprietor of "The Ann Arbor Central Brewery.” The larger of the building’s two wings is a simple example of Commercial Italianate style with arched windows and projecting brick window hoods. The gable roof and foundation of square-cut fieldstone are unusual for this type of building. Below the building are several brick vaults which were used for laagering beer. The upper level was used to process and distribute the beer.

The brewery business had expanded rapidly after the Civil War and the Ann Arbor Central Brewery ran successfully until the depression of 1873. This economic decline along with prohibition laws forced Volz out of business. The brewery ceased operations sometime in the late 1870s. By 1883 the building had been converted to Bert Stoll’s Ann Arbor Pop Works, specializing in ginger ale, root beer, and excelsior water. From 1886-1890 it was Ross and Welch’s Bottling Works.

In 1899 it was converted from commercial to residential use (a year after the construction of the brick veneer on Summit Street). In the early 1900’s it housed German families. From 1921-1956 an Italian clothier Daniel Camelet owned the building. Daniel housed Italian immigrants helping them to acclimate to the US. During this time the building was known as “Little Italy.” In the 1940’s when the wave of Italians subsided, Mr. Camelet took in Japanese released from US detainment camps. Again Daniel gave them shelter until they were established.

The property was then sold to Mallory Thomas, a local realtor who ran the building until 1970 when it was condemned. Using funds from HUD for code repairs and with help from David Byrd, a local architect, Mr. Thomas tore off the shutters and front porch, put up aluminum storm windows, and refinished the interior with linoleum, dry wall, and pink bathrooms!

In 1975, Mr. Thomas sold the building to John Hollowell and Robert Harrington, The Old Brewery & Associates and renovation began. John and Bob went to work first correcting the essential maintenance issues and then uncovering the buildings natural beauty. The garbage was hauled away inside and out, floors were stripped to show off the wood, and layouts of the apartments were changed to utilize the unused attic space and create lofts. John and Bob paid close attention to detail during their renovation. They wanted to preserve the character of the building and combine it with modern luxuries- like wood burning stoves and skylights.

Recycled materials were added to complete the unique historic feel. The antique streetlights came from Belle Isle in Detroit. The decorative courtyard fence was made out of tree grates from a shopping plaza. Tin ceiling tiles on walls in the east wing were salvaged from a drug store in Ypsilanti. And the birdhouses that line the privacy fence were made by John’s employees out of scrap materials around the shop.

In 1993 The Ann Arbor Historic Commission presented The Old Brewery and Associates with a plaque “For faithfully respecting the historic qualities and character of the Central Brewery and ensuring its continued enjoyment by the residents of Ann Arbor.”  We hope these changes stand the test of time and add a chapter to the buildings rich history.