Faded Detroit

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Crowne Plaza Pontchartrain

The all new Pontch is taking reservations starting June 15.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Woodward Garden Apartments

The third phase of the Woodward Garden Block redevelopment is taking shape.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Five Windows

Five down, hundreds to go. Rehabilitation should be complete by the middle of the 22nd century.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

DPD Crime Lab

The infamous Detroit Police Department Crime Lab inside the former Stephen Foster School in Brush Park.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Hotel Charlevoix Spared (UPDATED)

Hotel Charlevoix owner Ralph Sachs got more than he bargained for when his representatives went before Detroit's Historic District Commission this week. Not only did the commission reject his request to demolish the 107 year old building, the commission determined that Sachs was responsible for the deterioration of the structure and gave him 15 days to submit a plan to mothball the building. At this point it is unclear what consequences Sachs would face if he fails to comply with the commission's orders.

*UPDATED 1/12/13*

A judge signed a demolition order for the building on January 9, 2013. According to reports, the owner, Ralph Sachs has budgeted $250,000 to demolish the building this year.

I would be shocked if the Charlevoix wasn't down by opening day, just in time to rake in some parking dollars.

The demolition would also free up some more land, just in case Mike Ilitch is still considering Foxtown as a potential location for his new hockey arena development.

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Beaubien Party Store

July, 2004

November, 2012

This is what the building looked like in 1976, and just after its collapse in 2012.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Nouveau Ruins?

A certain never completed Brush Park development was found exposed to the elements last month. Construction began in 2007, but the site sits abandoned today having never been occupied. How long will it be before it is reclaimed by nature?