Quicken has posted a question on Yahoo answers asking where it should build its new headquarters.
The choices are the Hudson's site and the Statler site.
You can vote here.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Cass Corridor Setback
James Wickenheiser, a prominent developer in Brush Park, has reneged on his deal to buy the Harbor Light Center and several neighboring properties in the lower Cass Corridor from the Salvation Army for $3 million. Part of the deal, completed in 2005 with Wickenheiser's Detroit Urban Living, included providing insurance and securing for the Louis Kamper designed building.
Wickenheiser failed to provide security, allowing the building to be scrapped of its fixtures, window frames, and copper. According to lawsuit filed against Wickenheiser, the resulting damaged has left the building at half of its original value.
The Salvation Army is trying to get rid of the property and will not try to salvage it for its own purposes. This may put the building at risk if the Detroit Red Wings decide to build a new Hockey Arena on property currently owned by the city of North of I-75 and West of Woodward. The Harbor Light Center began life in 1925 as the Park Avenue Hotel and was one of three residential hotels designed and developed by Louis Kamper and Lew W. Tuller.
Wickenheiser failed to provide security, allowing the building to be scrapped of its fixtures, window frames, and copper. According to lawsuit filed against Wickenheiser, the resulting damaged has left the building at half of its original value.
The Salvation Army is trying to get rid of the property and will not try to salvage it for its own purposes. This may put the building at risk if the Detroit Red Wings decide to build a new Hockey Arena on property currently owned by the city of North of I-75 and West of Woodward. The Harbor Light Center began life in 1925 as the Park Avenue Hotel and was one of three residential hotels designed and developed by Louis Kamper and Lew W. Tuller.
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Griswold Project Scrapped
The collapse of the housing market has claimed yet another victim. The 80 luxury condominium Griswold Project that was set to be built above the new 10-story Book Cadillac parking garage has been scrapped. The Detroit Downtown Development Authority and the Roxbury Group must pay $1.5 million after canceling an order for Steel and precast concrete molds.
Slow sales have at best, delayed the project, but the group is willing to reconsider the deal if the housing market improves. Only nine units had been sold by December 1st, with another seven set to be sold. This was not enough to meet the requirement that 20 units be sold by the end of the year. An extra $750,000 was spent by the city to reinforce the garage so condominiums could be built on top.
Slow sales have at best, delayed the project, but the group is willing to reconsider the deal if the housing market improves. Only nine units had been sold by December 1st, with another seven set to be sold. This was not enough to meet the requirement that 20 units be sold by the end of the year. An extra $750,000 was spent by the city to reinforce the garage so condominiums could be built on top.
Remnant
The remains of the high speed test track at the Packard Proving Grounds. Shelby Township, MI
Monday, November 26, 2007
Work at the Whitney
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Detroit 2.0
In case you missed it, Dan Gilbert has offically announced that he is moving his 4,000 employee strong Quicken Loans company to Downtown Detroit. Gilbert has contractually promised the city that he will make a final decision within the next 12 months to build his headquarters on one of two possible sites. The new headquarters will be built either on a site at Grand Circus Park that includes the locations of the now demolished Statler & Tuller Hotels and the currently vacant United Artists Building, or above the city's Premier Garage, which is the former site of Hudson's building.
Once the decision is made, it will take another 18 to 24 months to complete due diligence, renderings and construction plans. Gilbert is intent on developing both parcels of land and brining other companies into the mix. The city has also given Gilbert options to develop the Lafayette building and two city owned parking lots between Broadway and Library as part of the agreement.
Hudsons Site
Statler Site
Lafayette Building
City parking lots between Library and Broadway
Once the decision is made, it will take another 18 to 24 months to complete due diligence, renderings and construction plans. Gilbert is intent on developing both parcels of land and brining other companies into the mix. The city has also given Gilbert options to develop the Lafayette building and two city owned parking lots between Broadway and Library as part of the agreement.
Hudsons Site
Statler Site
Lafayette Building
City parking lots between Library and Broadway
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Progress is Progress?
After a long delay since setting the foundations for Brush Park Village North. Progress can again be seen on Brush Park's latest condo development.
May, 2007
September, 2007
October, 2007
May, 2007
September, 2007
October, 2007
September, 2007
Nothing has been done to stabilize this house or any of Hip City Living's other properties in the neighborhood. In fact, the houses continue to deteriorate. The only noticeable signs of progress are the signs planted firmly in their front yards.
May, 2007
September, 2007
October, 2007
May, 2007
September, 2007
October, 2007
Contrast this with the continued neglect of Hip City Living's other properties in Brush Park. This house on Erskine had its porch collapse in January and the rubble still remains till this day.
September, 2007Nothing has been done to stabilize this house or any of Hip City Living's other properties in the neighborhood. In fact, the houses continue to deteriorate. The only noticeable signs of progress are the signs planted firmly in their front yards.