Jump to content

Statler Hotel Demolition Progress

Allan

By Allan
in Detroit

Recommended Posts


  • Replies 516
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Allan Metropolis

Allan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yep. The windows are being painted from the exterior so that they look like they're frosted (sort of). This is being done to cover up the graffiti painted in the windows. Lights have been installed near the top of the newly painted plywood facade on the first floor.

I actually do think it's worse than the Statler awnings. I think it's funny that the Ilitches are sinking so much money into a building that is literally ready to fall over. In fact, I'll be laughing when the exterior lights are turned on, and then the whole thing collapses.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Allan Metropolis

Allan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Some gray paint went up on the lower boarded up windows of the UA today. That still doesn't explain the fence though. The fence is actually installed into the sidewalk, making it a rather permanent fixture, which is leading me to believe that we will see significant work of some kind here in the relatively near future.

Everyone says demolition, but the fence does not encircle the entire building - just the front. I am unaware of any renovation plans; however, they are in the process of doing some cleanup work on all the properties. Who knows with the Ilitches though? They are the type of people who can fly under the radar to do whatever they want.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
wolverine Town

wolverine

Posted
Posted

Maybe it's to keep people out to prevent new paint from going up on the windows. Certainly they would have seen from MCS that fencing is absolutely useless when it doesn't circle the entire property.

Allan, it appears a window is open on the second floor of the Fine Arts. When we explored that place over the summer, didn't I tell you to close it. Shame!!!

Oh, and it's quite amazing how stable the Fine Arts looks from the outside. Too bad the inside is a horrible wreck collapsing into the center of the building. I bet those workers nearly had a heart attack when they saw the floors sloping 30 degrees into a gaping black hole.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Allan Metropolis

Allan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Close the window in the Fine Arts? It was closed when we went through it...it just had the glass missing. I do remember that the window frame finally fell apart on one of my visits, but I think that was after I went with you. They've taken down the fire escapes now, forcing those who want to get in to take more creative routes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jin Kim Whistle-Stop

Jin Kim

Posted
Posted

I took some photos of the site while I was out for lunch.

statler01.jpg

statler02.jpg

There was nobody working on the site today (though there was a back-hoe just around the corner at the former AAA building site) . The site looks like it'll be completely street level once they dump about a couple dozen truck load of soil.

Here's a photo of the back-hoe digging up where the AAA building used to be.

clifford_timesquare.jpg

What's the plan for the AAA site? I'm assuming whatever they're doing is in preparation for the Super Bowl. Seems odd of them to dig a hole when they could leave it filled. Anyone have a clue?

Also, there was a street sweeping truck going around the job site which now has a thin layer of mud all around it. I don't know why they don't just wait until the job site itself is ready for a clean up.

[edit] fixed links to the images.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Allan Metropolis

Allan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, it looks like I was right about the Fine Arts Building. I was expecting a corporate advertisement, but it is an advertisement for the building.

"The Fine Arts Building at Historic Grand Circus Park. Mixed use Opportunities Available"

It's nice to see that the Ilitches are finally going to unload some of the property that they don't really have much business owning. Shouldn't they just be advertising the facade for the Fine Arts, though? It's not much of a building anymore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jin Kim Whistle-Stop

Jin Kim

Posted
Posted

The satellite photo of GCP area released with Today's Illitch announcement showed the entire block between Clifford and Park colored as city owned lot. Does that mean that the owner of the 4 story building that caught fire as Statler demolition began sold it to the city?

Anyone with some info on status of that particular building?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Allan Metropolis

Allan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The city was trying to get it, but the owner wouldn't budge until the legal issues between Homrich & him were resolved. I'm not sure if the owner finally sold to the city, or if the building was colored purple by mistake. My thinking is that if the building was owned by the city that it would've been brought down by now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hudkina Burg

hudkina

Posted
Posted

I'm sure they can save the facade of the Fine Arts Building and attach an entirely new structure to it. They did it to a smaller facade in Plymouth when they demolished an old building they left the original facade still standing (supported by I-beams). I'm sure they could easily do the same thing with the Fine Arts Building. By doing this, they could keep the historic nature of the building, but also offer modern amenities. I don't know how much more expensive it would be to save the facade, but I think the Illitches owe it to the preservationists to save what little they have left.

100.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
andrew.w Hamlet

andrew.w

Posted
Posted

I'm sure they can save the facade of the Fine Arts Building and attach an entirely new structure to it. They did it to a smaller facade in Plymouth when they demolished an old building they left the original facade still standing (supported by I-beams). I'm sure they could easily do the same thing with the Fine Arts Building. By doing this, they could keep the historic nature of the building, but also offer modern amenities. I don't know how much more expensive it would be to save the facade, but I think the Illitches owe it to the preservationists to save what little they have left.

I would realy like to see the facade saved (and sometime before in collapses in with the rest of the building) and it wouldn't as much of a hassle to work around the facade durring demolition and construction if the temporary supprot structure was placed on the outside as in te example.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
wolverine Town

wolverine

Posted
Posted

I'm guessing the temporary supporting structure for the facade would have to be on the exterior. Doing anything in the interior would be a fatal mistake.

I agree it must suck when showing this place to developers.

Now if you'll follow me, we have a.... oh well, never mind.

87230762_396c1f746b_b.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jin Kim Whistle-Stop

Jin Kim

Posted
Posted

Just an update for those of you who haven't been to downtown recently, the Statler lot has been filled with dirt up to the street level a few days now. The fencing around the lot still remains, and they put up some wooden panels that surround the People Mover columns. The 4 story burned out building still remains where it was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.