Eye candy of the week

Property: Chittenden Hall East Lansing

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Property: Chittenden Hall East Lansing

Located on MSU’s Laboratory Row, this building was constructed in 1901 for the State Agricultural College dairy plant. At that time, the pair of doors located well above grade (visible at the left side of the picture above) was equipped with a ramp to bring cows into the building. When the dairy plant outgrew this facility and its use was converted, the iconic branch-shaped letters of the forestry program were added to the main entrance aedicule. This elaborate stone and brick feature is composed of a wide sunburst arch, flanked by brick pilasters and capped by a red stone entablature.

During a restoration, completed last year, historic photographs revealed the loss of a pair of dormers from the front elevation. Reconstructed dormers now provide air intake for new mechanical equipment. New upgrades take advantage of the sunny area at the south of the building, combining a barrier free entry with an inviting outdoor plaza. Classrooms were converted to smaller, private offices, but the continuity of the original expansive spaces was maintained by topping the new walls with glass.

The building was renamed in 1969, to honor former fgorestry Professor Alfred Chittenden. It houses Michigan State University’s Graduate School.

(HopkinsBurns Design Studio, which served as the architects for the recent restoration, contributed to this story.)

“Eye candy of the Week” is our weekly look at some of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each with Eyesore of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Belinda Thurston at 999-5065.

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