Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 784 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 9:00 pm: | |
Can someone tell me a history of this building? it appears to be in excellent shape, and considering it's prime location centered between Campus Martius, Greektown, and Broadway/Stadia...I'm amazed that this building, and a couple others along Randolph sit empty. Anything anyone can tell me about this building or those along that same strip would be appreciated! |
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57
Post Number: 218 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 9:08 pm: | |
I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure I saw some people working on the interior of the first floor. This was about two weeks ago. |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 1358 Registered: 01-2004
| Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 9:38 pm: | |
There's been work going on there for a few months now. |
Bvos Member Username: Bvos
Post Number: 2239 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 9:55 pm: | |
Seems odd no one's talked about it sooner. (badump, crash!) Sorry, couldn't resist! |
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie
Post Number: 718 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 9:52 am: | |
It was built in 1874. Architect unknown. The construction on the first floor is prepping for a Turkish restaurant that should open in the spring. The second Temple of the Odd Fellows was built in Southwest at Vernor and Springwell in 1917 and has recently been superbly renovated. |
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 785 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 9:56 am: | |
What was the original use of the building? What other functions has it served? |
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 2846 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 11:06 am: | |
Built in 1874, it originally had a mansard "French Empire" style roof on the top floor. The top story was heavily modified in 1898. There are the dates of 1874 and 1898 inscribed over the doorway that leads to the upper stories. |
Billk Member Username: Billk
Post Number: 153 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 2:43 pm: | |
A Turkish restaurant sounds cool. Isn't there a clothing store on half of the first floor? |
Downtown_dave Member Username: Downtown_dave
Post Number: 209 Registered: 07-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 3:44 pm: | |
If there is a clothing store, the metal pull-down door was hiding it when I walked past at lunch today. The Classic (menswear) sign is still on the front of the building, however. There were two workmen busy bringing construction supplies into the restaurant side of the building, and lots of new drywall was in place. This is a pretty good sized space. A Turkish restaurant will be a nice addition to the downtown restaurant scene. Now, how about something Moroccan somewhere? Tagine, anyone? I still miss Blue Nile downtown - ages ago! |
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 786 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 4:29 pm: | |
I think there is a clothing store in the building next to The Well...not the temple building. I think that could be a great stretch of shops and such with a little bit of attention. |
Downtown_dave Member Username: Downtown_dave
Post Number: 214 Registered: 07-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 2:37 pm: | |
The Temple Building has two ground-floor spaces - perhaps a clothing store was once behind the rolled down metal door of the north space? Next door to the Temple Building is Shaw's Barber Shop. Next to that is the Well. And next is "Baltimore Lunch" (on the building - can't recall what's actually inside) and on the corner is a men's clothing store. |
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 2039 Registered: 01-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 3:23 pm: | |
http://www.detroitfunk.com/2007/05/odd_fellows.html Look at the back of Odd Fellows, you can see all the old clothing store adds painted on the wall.
|