Ruthven Building

Also known as: Alexander G. Ruthven Building, RUTHVEN

Ruthven Building is an administrative building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is located at 1109 GEDDES AVE, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, on the University of Michigan's Central campus. The building has 4 floors. The building code is RUTHVEN, used in class schedules and room assignments. The building features elevator access, ramp access. It houses Amphibian Range, Insect Range, Joseph Beal Steere, Planetarium and 2 more. Visit the official website for current hours and information. From the Diag, Ruthven Building is approximately 4 minutes walking east.

Classification: Administration & Support.

Official website: Ruthven Building

Building Details

History

• Year Built: 1928 (Source: Bentley Historical Library)
• Architect: Albert Kahn
• Style: Classical Revival
• Named for: Alexander G. Ruthven, museum director and U-M president (1929–1951)
• Notable: 100+ carved limestone animals on exterior; renovated for admin/CCCB
• Primary use: Central administration offices, classrooms

Accessibility

• Elevator: Once through the doors at the loading dock, turn right and then left. The elevator will be on the right.
• Ramp Access: Go through the parking lot on the South side of the building, and there will be a ramp at the loading dock to the left.

Departments & Services

• Amphibian Range
• Insect Range
• Joseph Beal Steere
• Planetarium
• Reptile Range
• Ethics Integrity And Compliance

Nearby Buildings

• Central Campus Classroom Building 149 ft (45 m)
• Biological Sciences Building 254 ft (77 m)
• Museum of Natural History 289 ft (88 m)
• 1100 North University Building 386 ft (118 m)
• Pharmacy College 386 ft (118 m)

Other Administrative Buildings

• Administrative Services Building
• Alumni Center
• Argus II
• Campus Safety Services Building
• Central Power Plant

Part of: Historic Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ruthven Building located?

Ruthven Building is located at 1109 GEDDES AVE on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its coordinates are 42.27822572000001, -83.73442419999999.

Is Ruthven Building wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Elevator access: Once through the doors at the loading dock, turn right and then left. The elevator will be on the right.. Ramp access: Go through the parking lot on the South side of the building, and there will be a ramp at the loading dock to the left..

What departments or services are in Ruthven Building?

Ruthven Building houses Amphibian Range, Insect Range, Joseph Beal Steere, Planetarium, Reptile Range, Ethics Integrity And Compliance.

How many floors does Ruthven Building have?

Ruthven Building has 4 floors.

How do I find Ruthven Building on the University of Michigan campus?

Ruthven Building is located on Central Campus at 1109 GEDDES AVE. From the Diag, it is approximately 4 minutes walking east.

Data sourced from University of Michigan and OpenStreetMap. Data last updated April 15, 2026.
Source: mguide.app/building/alexander-g-ruthven-building