Year in review
Dec. 17, 2011
There were many stories involving Detroit’s landmarks this year. Here’s a quick look at some of them. -d.a.
Cass Tech High School was torn down this summer, despite efforts by alumni to save the landmark.
The Garland Stove, a Detroit landmark since 1893, was destroyed by fire Aug. 13 after being hit by lightning (photo above).
Clean up work began this spring at Michigan Central Station, including the removal of asbestos and broken windows.
After years of talks, the Carleton brothers finally bought the Grand Army of the Republic Building in late October and will start rehabbing it into their new Mindfield USA headquarters.
Work began on the Broderick Tower, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in April. The 34-story giant is to reopen as apartments next year.
The David Whitney Building took two huge steps toward being reopened: Starwood Hotels agreed in December to brand a 136-room hotel in the building as part of its Aloft line, and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved the $82-million project’s request for tax credits that make the financing possible.
Quicken Loans chief Dan Gilbert bought a slew of downtown buildings this year, including the First National Building and Chase Tower.
The James Scott Memorial Fountain was restored - after some scandal about workers destroying its Pewabic tile - and again flows with water.
After years of neglect, the back wall of the Wurlitzer Building collapsed on Nov. 13, spurring its owner to finally start cleaning the building up.
A garden was opened on the site of the Lafayette Building.
New buildings
Nov. 23, 2011
Bradley McCallum brings us a look at the Ford Auditorium, and Kari Smith serves up a history on a juicy little east side Art Deco/Moderne number, the Goeschel Building. As with the other buildings on the site, more photos are coming soon.
Look out below: Wurlitzer Building sheds bricks
Nov. 17, 2011
Well, it was only a matter of time: The back wall on the top of the Wurlitzer Building has started shedding bricks into the alley. Gravity trumps friction when it comes to a thousand pounds of brick. The back wall had been bowing out, away from the building, for nearly a year - at least. On Nov. 13, the inevitable happened.
This does not bode well for the Wurlitzer, which, despite an absentee owner and court hearings, has been allowed to live for longer than most of us thought. While its longtime owner removed its dangling fire escape and rotting awning, the brick wall out back posed the greatest threat to life - both of passersby and the Wurlitzer itself.
Stay tuned for more on this. Word around town is that its owner is scrambling to get the wall patched up soon; as a lawyer, he faces big trouble if found in contempt of court. -d.a
Grand Army of the Republic Building to be saved!
Nov. 3, 2011
John Gallagher of the Detroit Free Press reports that the deal to rehab the Grand Army of the Republic Building is FINALLY done! The GAR, known to many as “that castle building on Grand River,” is one of the city’s most beloved buildings and is steeped in history. Big props to the Carlton brothers of Mindfield USA for not giving up on the city - or on saving this important piece of our city’s history. Stay tuned to HistoricDetroit.org for updates and photos. -d.a. 11.03.11