Watling Clinic
119 N. Huron
1892, 1893 & 1986,
Romanesque Revival style

The clinic was built by Dr. John Andrews Watling, dentist and co—founder of the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan. The design may be that of George D. Mason, Detroit architect, or James Watling Martin, a relative of the dentist and former architectural apprentice to George D. Mason and Elijah Meyers, the architect of the State Capitol Building (1878). The building exhibits a number of well thought—out planning and construction features. Built next door to Dr. Watling’s Italian Villa style residence at 121 N. Huron, the two—story, 18 foot wide clinic was constructed on a 25 foot wide strip of land, much like an urban townhouse, but standing alone and with windows in the side walls. Its front facade of heavy, rusticated red and gray sandstone exhibits carved, foliated details in stone, in the manner popularized by Boston architect H. H. Richardson. The tall, two—story arched window, with its subtly projected, first story tripartite bay window crowned by a low—relief cornice with lotus petals and Roman corbel table, is unique to the style. Additional details borrowed from other styles of the period include the tall parapet, embellished with a high relief corbel table and corner post pinnacles; a projecting overhang with stamped metal modillions; and skirted frieze below, encrusted with swagged festoons. A portico, supported with plinth—based plain columns and vase—shaped capitals, completes the front facade. Twin box—bay windows were added to the north facade in 1893, probably to gain more light and additional floor space in the dental operatories where they occur. The rear portico, added in 1986, was designed by Ypsilanti architect, Denis Schmiedeke, to blend with the roof of the box—bays and the columns of the front porch.
 
 

1990

2004