Detroit & Northern Savings and Loan Association

by Brett Schlager

Architect: TMP Associates, Inc.
Alternative Name: Republic Bank, Citizens Bank
Location: 400 Quincy Street, Hancock
Built: 1972
Contractor: Herman Gundlach, Inc.

Founded in Hancock as the Northern Michigan Building & Loan Association, Detroit & Northern Savings and Loan Association has served as a major financial establishment in Northern Michigan for over 100 years, and in both Northern and Lower Michigan for over 80 years. Recently D&N Bank became Republic Bank and even more recently, Citizens Bank.

Founded by Charles D. Hanchette, Northern Michigan Building & Loan Association had its first headquarters in the law offices of Dunstan & Hanchette. In 1902, Northern Michigan Building & Loan Association found its second home at the Scott Hotel, 101 Quincy Street, Hancock. The official name “Detroit & Northern Michigan Building and Loan Association” was adopted in 1914 when the Detroit office was opened. In 1939 D&N moved to 200 Quincy Street, Hancock. In 1950 the official name “Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association,” was adopted.¹ The organization expanded again in 1959 at the same location.

The nine-story building at 400 Quincy St. was built in 1972 by General Contractor Herman Gundlach, Inc.² The building stretches 135 feet high and consists of 54,600 square feet of reflective glass and a cylindrical section made of 17,000 pounds of copper laminated to steel, forming a landmark in the Upper Peninsula.³ D&N contains more than 1000 lighting fixtures, 36 ½ miles of electrical wiring, 1,000 square feet of slate flooring, 1,300 square feet of ceramic tile, 1,500 square feet of vinyl tile, and 28,800 square feet of carpeting.⁴ This building, which uses native materials such as copper on the circular tower and native wood throughout the interior, is the only high-rise building in Hancock.

D&N originally occupied the entire building, but its presence in the Copper Country has shrunk though reorganization, and the building is currently used by Citizens Bank, the Michigan Tech Fund, Otis Elevator, and Denver Hardwoods.

Buildings by TMP Associates, Inc. in the Copper Country

• Suomi College, Finlandia Hall 1984
• Detroit & Northern Savings and Loan Association 1972
• Michigan Technological University, McNair Residence Hall 1968
• Michigan Technological University, Daniell Heights Addition 1965

Notes

1. Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association Newsletter, Vertical File at MTU Archives.
2. Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association Newsletter, Vertical File at MTU Archives.
3. Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association Newsletter, Vertical File at MTU Archives.
4. Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association Newsletter, Vertical File at MTU Archives.