Polsky Building (Akron, Ohio)

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For decades this building was known well as being the homes of Polsky's Department Store. The original Polsky store in Akron was located on North Howard Street. A new store, constructed in the classic Art Deco style, was built in the 200 block of South Main and opened in 1930. Polsky's along with O'Neil's located just across the street gave downtown Akron a unique Winter Wonderland feel every year at Christmas time. The store closed in 1978 and plans were discussed as to its future including transforming it into a hotel, prison, and apartment complex. The building was purchased by the University of Akron and after a $22.5 Million remodel was re-opened in 1994 as the University of Akron College of Applied Science and Technology. The College of Applied Science and Technology, known as Summit College up until summer 2014 was originally an owned-and-operated trade college of UA but was fully incorporated into the university in 2004. Today the building is the largest academic building in the U.S. containing classrooms, offices, stores, and the Archives of the History of Psychology.