Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Garden Theater Revival
C. Howard Crane's 1912 Garden Theater on Woodward is receiving a $12.3 million dollar makeover. It is being renovated into a performance space with a capacity for 1,300 people. This is the third phase of the Woodward Garden Block redevelopment.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, May 07, 2012
The Price of Progress
Soon after Wayne State University announced that it was converting New Center's Dalglesish Cadillac building into a $93 million biotech research center, the conversation quickly turned to what would be lost amidst the university's largest construction project ever undertaken.
Albert Kahn's 127,000 square foot building, which was built for Walter J. Bemb Buick-Pontiac in 1927, will receive an extensive rehabilitation and a 75,000 square foot addition.
Albert Kahn's 127,000 square foot building, which was built for Walter J. Bemb Buick-Pontiac in 1927, will receive an extensive rehabilitation and a 75,000 square foot addition.
Unfortunately, another Kahn built structure at the site will meet the wrecking ball. Kahn's 1908 American Electrical Heater Building will be demolished this summer to make way for a parking lot at the development.
The building was renamed American Beauty Electric Irons after the the company's popular product line. The firm was world renowned for its toasters, irons, curling irons and room heaters. At one point the company was the largest manufacturer of small electrical appliances in the world.
An online petition has been started in hopes of preventing the demolition.
Back to Nature
This well intended but ill-conceived homestead, which was constructed in 2008, has been reclaimed by the St. Aubin-Chene Prairie.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Replaced
The missing bronze plaque dedicating the "Gateway to Freedom" sculpture in Hart Plaza has been repaired and re-installed. The plaque was removed by the Detroit Recreation Department after it was damaged by scrappers trying to steal it in 2010. It had been replaced with a construction barrel until recently.
Monday, April 23, 2012
What's Next?
What will the ultimate fate of the Ford Auditorium site be? Mayor Bing would like to build a permanent outdoor amphitheater at the location and bulldoze Chene Park for redevelopment. Obviously, a funding source would have to be secured first and given the current state of the city, that proposition does not seem very likely this decade.
In the meantime, it has been revealed that the Detroit Jazz festival would like to expand their footprint on the riverfront by erecting a temporary stage on the site. This would be contingent on whether the city can convert the grounds to green space in time. Some work has already begun.
In the meantime, it has been revealed that the Detroit Jazz festival would like to expand their footprint on the riverfront by erecting a temporary stage on the site. This would be contingent on whether the city can convert the grounds to green space in time. Some work has already begun.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Rivertown Loses Another
The once proud and thriving Rivertown district has suffered another loss. The Troester Building was built in 1911. It was located at the corner of Riopelle and Franklin. It was the home of the Rhinoceros Club.
October, 2003
April, 2012
April, 2012
