  Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4712 Registered: 10-2003 |
The St. Claire Hotel was, I believe, located at 210 Randolph Street. It was one of the finest multi-storied structures ever built in Detroit. It was designed by Donaldson and Meier in around 1898 or so. The building had Dutch influences, which were clearly visible on the upper floors and roofline. It also had guided “faux” balconies and an ornate entrance. Anyone have more information on this structure? What’s at that location now? http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Po stcard-St-Claire-Hotel-Detroit -Mich_W0QQitemZ200015555474QQc mdZViewItem | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 797 Registered: 11-2005 |
I started a thread on this beauty in March. Read about it here: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/91697/98230.html Here is what I had to say about it (as well as the answer to what is there today): The Hotel Ste. Claire was built at Randolph and Monroe in 1879 by the Brush estate on a site owned by the Brush family since 1806. The hotel closed Nov. 15, 1933, and was torn down the following year. It was a swanky showplace for years and a meeting place for politicians. Its bar was said to be nationally famous and the meeting place of the gallants of the 1890s. At the time that it was built, it was described as being a structure of rare beauty. If you take a look at the picture here, you will see just how beautiful this rare beauty was. Photo: http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Histo ric%20Detroit%20hotels/steclai re.jpg Here's a photo of the site of the Hotel Ste. Claire today. It stood just south of the Odd Fellows temple in this photo (to the right). Warning: Not work appropriate if the sight of parking lots turns you on: http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Histo ric%20Detroit%20hotels/steclai retoday.jpg | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4713 Registered: 10-2003 |
I completely missed it...thx | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 799 Registered: 11-2005 |
Yeah, one of my favorites. That one and the old post office on Fort Street. Sigh. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4714 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wonder if any interior shots remain? I have done research in the Burton and there are files for D and M. I actually found out about this building in a very rare architectural publication from 1899. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 3304 Registered: 02-2005 |
That building would be such an asset to that part of downtown today. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 800 Registered: 11-2005 |
Other than a house here or there in Brush Park and the Trowbridge House, there isn't much from that era that survives. The Wayne County Building, maybe, but that was built in 1897. The Ste. Claire was built nearly 20 years before that. I think City Hall would have been FAR more important and FAR better looking than One Kennedy Square or the CAY Municipal Building. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 3306 Registered: 02-2005 |
Absolutely. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4715 Registered: 10-2003 |
Or the Union Trust Building by D and M... | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 803 Registered: 11-2005 |
The Union Trust Building ... you mean the Guardian Building? That was built in the 1920s and still stands, so I don't follow why you mention it. http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Detro it%20postcards/guardian3.jpg | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4716 Registered: 10-2003 |
Nope, the Union Trust Building...a different one. It was 11 floors and designed by D and M. I have no idea where it was located. I have a photocopy of it. Prior to Guardian...in 1897. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 804 Registered: 11-2005 |
I'd love to see it, Patrick. I'll try to find photos of it. Thanks! | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 805 Registered: 11-2005 |
Just found a picture of it in "Buildings of Detroit." You're right, Patrick. What a marvelous building. |
