  Renf Member Username: Renf Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did the UAW construct this building for their offices or was there a previous occupant? When was the structure built? Does any one know the name of the architect? What was on this property before Solidarity House? Thank you very much. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6769 Registered: 08-2004 |
Well the building was remodelled with a new skin on the outside a few years back. It used to look rather similar to the Chase Tower (formerly NBD HQ) on Campus Martius... fondly known as the "cheese grater". Don't know about either original or remodeling architects, but I do believe that the building was custom built for the UAW. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3629 Registered: 10-2003 |
The building was built for the UAW and opened in 1951. I don't know who the architect was. It was built on the site of Edsel Ford's former mansion where he lived before moving to Grosse Pointe. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3634 Registered: 10-2003 |
Stopped by today. The architect was Hugh Millar. Dedicated June 1951. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5382 Registered: 10-2003 |
Stephens mansion aka Edsel Ford estate was previously on the site. Actually, I think the mansion coexisted with the UAW for a number of years before being take down. I think George Mason was the architect, but Leonard Willeke helped renovate it. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3635 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, I think it was built on a lot on the east side of Ford's home, before it was torn down. The dedication plaque inside the front door says Architect - Hugh Millar. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 6478 Registered: 11-2003 |
YOUR UAW SHOPPING GUIDE OF UAW-BUILT PRODUCTS. (Partial list) Bradford White hot water heaters. Miller Beer. Land O'Lakes Dairy. Kraft Foods. Folger's Coffee. Perry's Ice Cream. Country Fresh Frosty mix for Wendy's. Bacardi Rum. Lenox Heating Systems. Sylvania Head Lights. Johnson Controls Batteries. Fram Filters. Master Locks. Kohler Plumbing fixtures. Toro and John Deere engines. Tulsa Auto Glass. Taylor Doors. Hillerich and Bradsby hockey sticks, eh. Russell Athletic wear. And cars, trucks, buses; Generous Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda Tribute, Toyota Carolla, Isuzo I-series, Mitsubishi. Feel free to add others. jjaba, Solidarity Forever, for the Union makes us strong. | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 279 Registered: 08-2007 |
yep jjaba, Miller Beer says Union made, and i use Fram Filters, i guess im a good union man. the UAW solidarity house reminds me of some sort of compound deal. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 310 Registered: 03-2008 |
Here is a site with a picture of the Solidarity House before the renovation. It's four rows down, and three to the right. Link: http://reuther100.wayne.edu/vi ewgallery.php?cid=5 | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 282 Registered: 08-2007 |
what an ugly building, looks like a bunch of hookers might be doing there tricks there | ||
Rel Member Username: Rel Post Number: 708 Registered: 02-2008 |
I beg to differ; it's in one of the better neighborhoods, and that stretch of Jefferson has improved a lot over the last few years. I remember being there on business years ago, before it was remodelled... holy cow! It was like walking into a time warp. I felt like I was on the set of "Austin Powers" with all of the shag carpeting and chain-hung pendant mood lights. Far out, man! And that was in the 90's. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5387 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wonder why they built it there in the first place. Maybe at the time, downtown was just too expensive? I though I read that the UAW looked at undeveloped property in New Center when planning an HQ. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3637 Registered: 10-2003 |
They were located in the New Center before they moved to E Jefferson. | ||
Stromberg2 Member Username: Stromberg2 Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2006 |
Anybody have a pic of Edsel's house on Jefferson? Stromberg2 | ||
Sumotect Member Username: Sumotect Post Number: 285 Registered: 08-2004 |
Regarding the original architect. Oskar Stonorov served as a design consultant. He was a personal friend of Walter Reuther, and a respected modern architect from Philadelphia. Stonorov was a collaborator with Louis Kahn, and worked primarily with public housing. He died in the plane crash that killed Reuther. | ||
Strathcona Member Username: Strathcona Post Number: 14 Registered: 03-2008 |
The Edsel Ford House had a boathouse which is still intact behind the UAW. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1204 Registered: 11-2005 |
Forget pix of the Solidarity House, I wanna see the Ford mansion that was leveled!  |
