Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Book Tower to Get New, Green Life?

Key Investment Group of Canton says it has signed a contract with the owners of the empty Book Tower and Book Building to renovate the structures which have been vacant since January. They plan to turn it into 260 green-friendly residences along with retail space.

The development will include a new copper roof, a green roof plaza, and a restoration of an interior atrium. The facade will be completely cleaned as well. Work is slated to begin in June and the group intends to eventually purchase the building.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Enjoying Some Cider


Tuesday, September 29, 2009

New Hellas, No More!

New Hellas Cafe was demolished a few weeks ago. The 107 year old cafe closed in the spring of 2008. It was the oldest Greek restaurant in Detroit. Former business partners Jim Papas and Ted Gatzaros have waged a legal battle over the property after Gatzaros wanted to use the property to house an Italian restaurant. No explanation for the demolition has been reported. Rumors, however, suggest that a new three story building will rise to take its place

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Renaissance Center B.A.S.E Jump


I was recently refered to this clip from danpushies shot during Ren-Cen's Pre-GM days. Notice no river walk, Beaubien garage, etc..

Monday, August 17, 2009

Rosa Parks Transit Center Coverage From Model D TV


Olympia Clueless About What to Do With Fine Arts Facade

It seems that everyone greatest fears are true. The facade to the Fine Arts building is being shored up with no definitive plans to build anything behind it. It is being "preserved for future reuse" kinda like the site of the former Madison-Lenox is being preserved with a parking lot.

Atanas Ilitch is "confident that the facade of the historic Fine Arts Building can be preserved and ultimately integrated into a new development that will occupy the site at some point in the future." Are you freaking kidding me? Olympia knocked a building down with no plans in place. How long do they plan to leave the facade twisting in the wind? I predict that the building and safety department will eventually decide that it is unsafe and demand that it be pulled down.