Red Dawn production Art
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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.
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.
Labels:
Book Building,
Book Tower,
Detroit
Location:
Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
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
Labels:
Demolition,
Detroit,
Greektown,
New Hellas
Location:
Greektown, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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
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.
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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Another Loft Conversion Rethink
Back in the spring of 2007 developers announced plans to convert the Detroit Elevator Building in Rivertown into 23 condo units. The project was to be completed in the summer of 2008. Needless to say, with the housing market collapse, that never happened.
This summer plans for the building were revised and construction has begun on what will now be a small business incubator. The building will contain 24 units plus common areas including a kitchen and showering facilities.
Facade construction and interior demolition on the Elevator Building will be completed this fall and units should be ready by spring 2010.
This summer plans for the building were revised and construction has begun on what will now be a small business incubator. The building will contain 24 units plus common areas including a kitchen and showering facilities.
Facade construction and interior demolition on the Elevator Building will be completed this fall and units should be ready by spring 2010.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Can Lightning Strike Twice?
The Ferchill Group is continuing its effort to redevelop a downtown strip centered along Washington Boulevard. The company responsible for saving the Book Cadillac will be lending its money and know-how to another Book building, this time the Book Tower. The building has been shuttered since the beginning of 2009 when the building 's owners filed for Chapter 11.
The Ferchill Group determined that is was not possible financially to save the Lafayette Building due to a funding gap of around $11 million. Profits from the building wouldn't have covered the cost of the restoration. The Book Tower doesn't appear to have that problem and Ferchill will embark on an $87 million renovation of the 38 story building.
The Ferchill Group determined that is was not possible financially to save the Lafayette Building due to a funding gap of around $11 million. Profits from the building wouldn't have covered the cost of the restoration. The Book Tower doesn't appear to have that problem and Ferchill will embark on an $87 million renovation of the 38 story building.
Labels:
Book Tower,
Detroit,
Washington Boulavard
Location:
Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Friday, August 07, 2009
Cass Tech to be Demolished
DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb mentioned today on "Inside Detroit" that the district will be using stimulus money to demolish the Old Cass Tech building. Alumni previously stepped in to forestall demolition plans when the new high school was completed. However, no redevelopment plans have ever been put forth and this time around the school's fate seems sealed.
Location:
Midtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Gold Cup 100 Alpha
The 100th running of the Gold Cup was postponed last year due to high winds. After a year's wait, the thunder returned to the Detroit River this past weekend. VIEW LARGE
Labels:
Detroit,
Detroit River,
Gold Cup,
Hydroplane
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Toledo Strip
Earlier in the week I spent some time in the territory of Michigan's former posession near the mouth of the Maumee River. Please enjoy some action shots of the Toledo Mud Hens vs the Louisville Bats at 5/3 Field.
Location:
Center City, Toledo, OH, USA
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Rosa Parks Transit Center Almost Ready
The sails have been hoisted and the maiden voyage is set for July 14th with a grand opening celebration.
Labels:
Bus,
Detroit,
Rosa Parks Transit Center
Location:
Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Tricentennial Park Extension
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Lafayette Building Next to Fall
The 1923 C. Howard Crane designed Lafayette Building could meet the wrecking ball within the next two weeks thanks to a unanimous vote by the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. Detroit-based Adamo Demolition Company will eliminate the historic building for a fee of $1,445,888. The building will be replaced by a "pocket park" of grass and shrubbery.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
New Use for Franklin Furniture Building
The Thompson Education Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan recently announced funding for a 94,000 square-foot high school tied to the University Prep Science and Math Middle School in Detroit. The Albert Kahn designed Franklin Furniture building in Rivertown will be renovated to house the high school in time for the 2010-2011 school year.
The building as it looks today.
Friday, June 05, 2009
West On Bagley
Labels:
Bagley,
Detroit,
Statler Hotel,
United Artists Building
Location:
Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Rosa Parks Transit Center Sails=Fail
The first of the Transit Center's canopies went up this week and it has already been shredded by the high winds and rain from Wednesday night's thunderstorms. The center is already behind schedule and over budget. One can only guess how much this failure is going to set the project back.
Hot Fudge Detroit has the coverage.
Hot Fudge Detroit has the coverage.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Shield's Pizza to Abandon Detroit Again?
Over two and a half years ago Shield's Pizza announced their return to the city after an absence of two decades. Work began in the lobby of the Kales building, but as the months went by, numerous opening day announcements went unmet.
In June of 2008 Owner Paul Andoni addressed the delays. Apparently, construction stalled due to an issue with the exhaust ventilation that necessitated the installation of a 19-story shaft to the roof. At that time it Andoni stated that the restaurant would open by mid-September.
Nearly a year later, it is apparent that no further work has been done on the restaurant. At the begining of April the site was in the same unfinished state that it had been when Andoni made his most recent proclimation. A sign on the door states "construction has been haulted." It remains to be seen if Shield's will ever return to downtown Detroit.
In June of 2008 Owner Paul Andoni addressed the delays. Apparently, construction stalled due to an issue with the exhaust ventilation that necessitated the installation of a 19-story shaft to the roof. At that time it Andoni stated that the restaurant would open by mid-September.
Nearly a year later, it is apparent that no further work has been done on the restaurant. At the begining of April the site was in the same unfinished state that it had been when Andoni made his most recent proclimation. A sign on the door states "construction has been haulted." It remains to be seen if Shield's will ever return to downtown Detroit.
Labels:
Construction,
Detroit,
Downtown,
Kales,
Shield's Pizza
Location:
Downtown, Detroit, MI, USA
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Ghetto Driving
Traffic backed up? No Exit? No Problem!
Instead of exhibiting traditional unsafe driving skills by reversing up an entrance ramp, these drivers on the Southfield near Schoolcraft decided to do something new. Tens of drivers opted to make their own exit by driving over a fence to gain access to the service drive.
Instead of exhibiting traditional unsafe driving skills by reversing up an entrance ramp, these drivers on the Southfield near Schoolcraft decided to do something new. Tens of drivers opted to make their own exit by driving over a fence to gain access to the service drive.
Labels:
Bad Driving,
Detroit,
Schoolcraft,
Southfield
Location:
Detroit, MI, USA
Schwankovsky Temple of Music/Wright Kay Building
It has been a while since I have taken a good look at this building and was shocked to see the state it is in. Does the Apartment nightclub operate out of it anymore? Was the building been shot-up by club patrons or have a ton of random bricks been thrown through its numerous windows? The south side looks even worse. I hope that the owner does not leave the building exposed to the elements.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Final Four is Coming
Look like the City Pension Board is going to try to recoup some money on the Asian Village fiasco next weekend. Andiamo Champions Club will be opened in the Beaubien Place parking garage during the Final Four. It kicks off April 3rd with a NBA afterparty hosted by Braylon Edwards, Denzell Washington, Isaiah Thomas and Rod Strickland.