Discuss Detroit » Archives - July 2007 » Detroit Photo, Anyone live in the Whitney Building? « Previous Next »
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Mpow
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Username: Mpow

Post Number: 265
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 2:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/l ocaburg/750867437/
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Wolverine
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Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 343
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 2:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Security light maybe?

Last year you'd see a good number of lights left on in the building when it was wide open:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com /78/167184248_8b70fe5175_b.jpg
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Southen
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Username: Southen

Post Number: 231
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 3:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah I recall several lit up areas in that building when I was in there.
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Lizaanne
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Username: Lizaanne

Post Number: 96
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 9:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow!!! What a beautiful thing! I've never seen the inside before! GORGEOUS!!

~Liza
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Charlottepaul
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Username: Charlottepaul

Post Number: 1288
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah it is arguable one of the best neoclassical interiors in downtown Detroit and it does not hurt to have good photographers taking the pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/a llanm/161025108/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s outhen/159041761/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j oeyharrison/410999454/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s tatlerhotel/549055942/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s outhen/159042695/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j oeyharrison/410999445/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s outhen/159041089/
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Jb3
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Username: Jb3

Post Number: 147
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

WOW!!!! multi-level retail anyone???
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Detroitplanner
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Username: Detroitplanner

Post Number: 1301
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 6:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Louis Sullivan (famous Chicago Architect and teacher of Frank Lloyd Wright) did this building, as well as the Dime.
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Burnsie
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Username: Burnsie

Post Number: 1064
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 7:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Actually, Daniel Burnham designed the David Whitney and the Dime Bldgs., as well as the Ford Bldg. (source: AIA Guide to Detroit). He also designed the Majestic Bldg., demolished ca. 1961.

Most of the exterior detail was stripped from the David Whitney Building in a "refurbishing," ca. 1959.
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Burnsie
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Username: Burnsie

Post Number: 1065
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Actually, I should say that the Daniel Burnham *organization* likely designed the David Whitney, since he died three years before it was completed. But it certainly follows his style.
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Wolverine
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Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 344
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 11:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Most of the exterior detail was stripped from the David Whitney Building in a "refurbishing," ca. 1959."

Yeah, I have this incredible historic photo of the Whitney back then. Entirely different building. The exterior is hardly similar to what it looks like today.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 4768
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:01 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Same thing happened to the Michigan Mutual Building across GCP (tallest building on W. Adams). It used to have 4 Beaux Arts style corner pavilions on the rooftop back in the days when it was the Stroh's HQ., before WWII.
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Charlottepaul
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Username: Charlottepaul

Post Number: 1300
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 8:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"The evolution of culture marches with the elimination of ornament from useful objects"--Adolf Loos
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Vintagesoul
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Username: Vintagesoul

Post Number: 17
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 9:27 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wolverine, can you post that glorious photo? I would love to see... I had no idea that it looked like that inside because the outside looks so plain.

I have always wanted to go exploring...soso bad. Mostly because there seems to be so much beauty inside of these buildings that I don't get to see because they are abandoned. One of the posts under the pictures of the lobby (on flickr) someone said "Unfortunately, there is no punishment for crimes against architecture."

I couldn't agree with that statement more. Sometimes I drive around the city and wonder how different it would be downtown if even 65% of the buildings were occupied. *sigh*
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Bob
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Username: Bob

Post Number: 1510
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:21 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

At one time there was a security guard in the building, which is what you can attribute the lights on and off from. Although I thought I heard recently that there is no longer a security guard.
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Detroitplanner
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Username: Detroitplanner

Post Number: 1303
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Whoops!! Burnsie, I guess I should have checked my book before I spouted off that, there was something about what I was saying that did not seem 'W'right.
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Civilprotectionunit4346
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Username: Civilprotectionunit4346

Post Number: 165
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:26 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Got a couple of D' Whitney photos for you all...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393254860/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393254857/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393254854/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393254853/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393254851/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393249005/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393249000/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j ohn74/393248996/
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Bijouloveshues
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Username: Bijouloveshues

Post Number: 5
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:33 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

weren't Burnham and Sullivan partners? (Devil in the White City trivia)

Regardless, it's a beautiful space!
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Bijouloveshues
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Username: Bijouloveshues

Post Number: 6
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You know, Chicago gets the design/ architecture recognition in the midwest, but Detroit is where most of the great ones were from or studied...

Eero Saarinen and the Eames' to name a couple and Mies has his touch here too. Awareness and preservation are the only way we will be able to hold on to the gems that we have.
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Charlottepaul
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Username: Charlottepaul

Post Number: 1302
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bijouloveshues, be careful not to over simplify your statement. There is a whole architecture style named after Chicago ("Chicago School"). Detroit certainly does have more than it fair share of great architecture, but Chicago is the example for the midwest.
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Wolverine
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Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 345
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 1:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Wolverine, can you post that glorious photo? I would love to see... I had no idea that it looked like that inside because the outside looks so plain. "

Definitely will. I'll try and see if I can scan it this evening.
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Detroit_stylin
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Username: Detroit_stylin

Post Number: 4403
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Damn i forgot how the inside of the Whitney looked. I used to love going in there in the 90's when the secretary of state had an office in the on the Washington Boulevard side...

When exactly did it completley become vacant?
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Kid_dynamite
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Username: Kid_dynamite

Post Number: 102
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

wow! I had no idea the inside of that building is so beautiful. What a gem that would be if it was completely restored.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 4777
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

D_S, not exactly sure, but the last tenants were the MGM Casino employee trainees, who were trained inside the building. That must have been about 5 years or so ago.

Besides the Guardian and Fisher Buildings, no Detroit office building has such a beautiful lobby.

My wish for that building has always been as a luxury hotel, with the skylight moved from above the lobby's 4th floor to the top of the 18 story hollow building... with all hotel rooms opening up to a hallway on each floor that was a balcony (with fancy wrought iron railings) that circled the grand lobby, thus giving it an 18 story atrium with a wrought iron and glass roof.

That would be awesome!

(Message edited by Gistok on July 09, 2007)
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Bijouloveshues
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Username: Bijouloveshues

Post Number: 7
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Charlottepaul :: yes, I know - but thank you for the caution... I wouldn't want to be mistaken for disregarding that fact.
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Detroithabitater
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Username: Detroithabitater

Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 12:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Can someone post a pre-1959 picture of the DWB?
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Exmotowner
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Username: Exmotowner

Post Number: 343
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 1:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"The vandals haven't destroyed it yet, but they've begun their work."

What a shame! I still cant get over why the owners would let something like that happen!
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Bob
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Username: Bob

Post Number: 1514
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes it seemed like they were taking care of it, with lots of roof and waterproofing work taking place a few years ago. But then I guess they pulled the security guard and that is when the window graffiti showed up. What a shame. I really hope this building does not become the next eyesore.
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Mdoyle
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Username: Mdoyle

Post Number: 127
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Plywood door was pried open a few weeks ago, Haven't paid attention since. The inside is truly amazing.
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Billk
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Username: Billk

Post Number: 36
Registered: 09-2005
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is 24 hr. security there now and they're doing facade work.
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Bob
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Username: Bob

Post Number: 1515
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It is facade work, or is it the new ADA compliant People Mover station they are supposed to build?
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Traxus
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Username: Traxus

Post Number: 101
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 7:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Can we keep a forum secret before the scrappers figure this one out?
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Detroitstar
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Username: Detroitstar

Post Number: 709
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 8:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would assume it is facade work, considering there is a platform hanging from the East side of the building.
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Greatlakes
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Username: Greatlakes

Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 10:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pictures of the original building, courtesy of WSU:
One
Two
Three

Grand Circus Park at Night:
One
Two

(Message edited by GreatLakes on July 13, 2007)

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