Completed in 1929 with a major expansion in 1938, Building 64/65 at 300 River Place Drive is the largest structure in the former Parke, Davis & Company pharmaceutical complex. Designed by Albert Kahn, the six-story reinforced concrete and brick building was the heart of the company's manufacturing operations, housing the general pharmacy department where pills, tablets, and other pharmaceutical products were produced.

The building's long horizontal façades, accented by bands of light-colored stone and expansive industrial windows, reflect Kahn's functional approach to industrial architecture while providing abundant natural light for manufacturing. Two large interior light wells - converted into glass-roofed atriums during a 1984 rehabilitation - illuminate the building's interior and remain one of its defining architectural features. Today, Building 64/65 has been successfully adapted for modern commercial use while preserving its industrial character, serving as a centerpiece of the historic River Place redevelopment and a lasting reminder of Detroit's leadership in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

We currently feature two other buildings from the former Parke, Davis & Company Pharmaceutical Plant: 100 River Place (former Building 69) and the Parke-Davis Research Laboratory (former Building 55). Additional buildings from this historic industrial complex will be added to HistoricDetroit over time.