  Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 71.113.77.221 |
After moving to Seattle 20 years ago, My oldest daughter and I will be visiting my old stomping grounds (Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland) in mid April on a college search. I used to live in Detroit in the mid 60's and then moved to G.R. in '71. I left the state in '86 and haven't been to Detroit since then. My main focus on the 1 to 2 days I have in Detroit will be architectural (and FOOD!). My wish list includes the Fisher Bldg,Penobscot Bldg,MCS,Brush Park,Corktown,some of the urban prairie at Mack and Marborough, some of the old car factories and the NIKE missle base sw of town. Are there any of Kahn's masterpieces left to look at? As far as food goes, I'm sure all of the places I ate at are long gone so any help with BBQ/soul and mexican is appreciated. Any other suggestions regarding architecture I'll try to fit in as best as I can. After all, this trip is supposed to be for my daughter's future - not for rediscovering my past... | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1196 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57 |
Don't forget to visit the Guardian Building!! https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/67174.html?1141551189 | ||
Renf Member Username: Renf Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.43.197.95 |
Information about a variety of sites and locations in Detroit is available at: http://detroit1701.psc.isr.umi ch.edu/ | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 533 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.56 |
Yea, the Guardian bldg blows away the Penobscot bldg. Although, they are my two favorites, make sure you go to the Penobscot first, because anything after the Guardian pales by comparison. I don't know who designed it, but the Patterson bldg in Brush Park is a great building. it's a two story group of townhouses on John R. Not to mention the Row Houses on John R between Adelaid and Winder. As for food, Great BBQ at Slow's in Corktown. Los Galanos in Mexican Town is cool, but I know there are better places around that area, too. Many new ones that I don't know about, yet. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5376 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
DD - Patterson Terrace is one of my favorites too... | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 947 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.42.79.6 |
Food.. Slows on Michigan Ave...great BBQ Mexican Village....17th and Bagley Small Plates on Broadway I agree with the Guardian issue, make sure that is the last building you see. Nothing compares to that structure. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 214 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.242.215.65 |
Carl's and Sinbad's are still here. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 539 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.56 |
Carl's rocks and I don't think they have renovated SINCE the 1960's.... | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 1766 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.2.148.137 |
skip Mexican Village, head to Taqueria Sr. Lopez on Michigan/Central or Taqueria Los Altos on Vernor west of Livernois. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 541 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.56 |
Taqueria Los Altos... that's the one I heard about! It's supposed to be awesome. | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
Thanks everyone for the suggestions - keep 'em coming! Yeah, I can't believe I forgot to mention the Guardian bldg - that was one of the last buildings I exposed a couple of rolls of film on back in 1986 before I left. At that time, I believe MichCon or some energy company was the main tenant. I didn't have a zoom lens or proper flash to do it justice. I have and old Pencil Points architecture magazine from 1928 describing the design and construction of it. The article also has great period photos of it. My mouth is already watering for some great food - the only good BBQ out here is from transplants from the midwest and south. The Northwest palate is EXTREMELY bland!! You know, I just thought of this great Reggae record store that was in the near northside back in the early '80's (near Warren?). It had walls filled with all the latest Jamaican imports and the sound system was incredible - these monster bass bins that would shake your ribcage the whole time you were in the store. The owner always seemed to have a cloud of smoke around his head, if I recall. I suppose all that is left of that place is my memories. Does that ring a bell with anyone? I can't wait to come "home"! | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 918 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.40.22 |
Here are a few large Kahn designed car factories that are sitting vacant: Packard - 1539 E.Grand Blvd Ford Highland Park - Woodward and Manchester Rickenbacker - 4815 Cabot There's the first Hudson/ex-Aerocar (1906) factory on Mack and Beaufait that is still standing, if you're down that way, or the new T-Plex museum at 411 Piquette, for early auto history. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3292 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
There's a million addresses on the Old Car Factory threads. But as for Kahn, try the Fisher Bldg., Ford Rouge Tours now re-opened from the Henry Ford Museum. (Rosa Parks bus and Lincoln chair in Ford's Theater.) Be sure to re-visit Greenfield Village. (Edison, early Ford, et. al.) Try the new African-American Museum in the Woodward ave. Cutural District. Campus Martius has a new Compuware Bldg. with Hard Rock Cafe and a beautiful atrium. The Detroit Historical Museum has the old Cadillac factory coach car drop, exciting if it is working. Top of the Ren Cen is good. Don't forget the homes of Indian Village and a circle tour of Belle Isle. Kahn built the Casino and others on the island. With a guidebook, try the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Detroit, Plymouth, and Bloomfield Hills. Enjoy Detroit again and welcome to the Forum. jjaba. | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
Thanks jjaba (and others)! I have already added the locations to google earth and will be printing out the maps. Funny you mention Frank Lloyd Wright - I lived right across the street from his Amberg house and Meyer-May house in Grand Rapids. We lived in the William Alden Smith (Michigan State Senator) home. It had sandstone mantlepieces and curved leaded glass windows in the turrets. Man, I miss that architecture! | ||
Tomoh Member Username: Tomoh Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.40.205.183 |
I have to agree with the recommendations for Taqueria Los Altos and several of the other authentic taquerias on W. Vernor around Springwells -- good and cheap, just off the beaten path. Mexicantown Bakery on Vernor across from Clark Park and Armando's is great for some treats. There are a couple new books on Detroit architecture, like the AIA's newest edition, you can pick up at the new Borders in Compuware at Campus Martius. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 576 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Detroit Institute of Arts...if u havent been back in 20 years, it will surely be a great experience. Also, the Michigan Theatre Garage...be careful though, I went in last week, and apparently I went in the "back door" of the garage (whatever that is) and an older russian man accused me of being a terrorist  | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 967 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
Hmmmm...the motorcityterrorist2026...has a spooky ring to it doesn't it??? | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 578 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
haha... apparently a group of 12 white kids from the suburbs looking in awe at the ceiling taking pictures is like a terrorist plot.... Guess we were casing the place before our attack on a lovely detroit parking garage??? because, of all places, a parking garage in the city of detroit is surely first on the list of most terrorists! Hah, at least I know the security is good in the garage!!! | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
I'll be sure to bring my camos and starlight scope for a little UE'ing...name, rank and serial number only! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3311 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Although not Detroit and jjaba never does suburbs, but Royal Oak, Michigan's downtown has been transformed into a night club zone. It is quite a stroll on a nice night. We would be remiss without touting Detroit world classe' ruins. Try the Michigan Central Station, Book-Cadillac Hotel, Briggs Stadium, Capitol Park, and a stroll along the Cass Corridor. On Saturdays, the Eastern Market becomes alive. Go there early in the morning for breakfast and shopping. Depending uif you prefer East or West, drive either Grand River or Gratiot to get a feel of the state of the city. jjaba, travel tips. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 283 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
How about a scavanger hunt at the Lee Plaza? Bring along a metal detector for prospecting any hidden copper... | ||
K00jd01 Member Username: K00jd01 Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 143.115.159.54 |
Kahnman Can't believe no one asked yet - which school will she be visiting? FYI, the Albert Kahn Associates is still on the first floor of the Kahn Building, and they have some pretty cool stuff in the lobby and reception area. If you tell the receptionist why you're there, she can probably give you a list of some of the lesser-known original Kahn buildings. | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
Yep Jjaba, The MCS was at the top of my list along with a few of the others - I'll add the rest. I'm planning on a Grand River approach then swing up to Mc Nichols. My dad ran the Dictaphone Corp. office in the 60's there. I want to see if the old building is still there. Livernoisyard, I'll skip the metal detecting but will bring the gps for some geocaching. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 1679 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 129.9.163.234 |
Both the Vinton and Kales buildings were Kahn designs. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 286 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
Speaking of Nike bases: Are there any remnants of them left in Detroit? Back during the mid/late 1960s, I was the CE at a 10-KW AM station in a Milwaukee (then) exoburb. There was a Nike site right next to it about 1/3 mile away on the other end of the peat bog. These sites were phased out in or by the early 1970s, so there shouldn't be much left of them today. They weren't really that big anyway. So it probably was expedient just to bulldoze them out of existence. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 423 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
They've been mentioned a few times here. Try a search? That'd be fascinating to see a comprehensive map of all those sites. There can't possibly be any military risk of publishing such a map today, I would think. There's a lot of info here: http://www.nikemissile.org/ . The only one I've seen is in Shelby Twp and it's been completely remade into the (rather nice) River Bends park. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 287 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
The OP mentioned that one was near SW Detroit. I checked out the history of the few WI sites a few years ago before moving here. Milwaukee had one hidden away in a fancy residential neighborhood right on the Lake Michigan drive that was hard to miss while driving or on a bus in the 1950s. I just came across this Nike-site site and found the designation for the one in Waukesha WI was M-74. I'll check the Detroit sites later. (Message edited by LivernoisYard on March 14, 2006) | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
The NIKE site is near Newport. There appears to be a few remnants left of it. Thanks for the Kahn connection K00jd01, that sounds like mecca for me. Maybe they have some dusty old stationery in a forgotten closet that I can score (...Billy Dreamer)! Oh, and thanks for the interest in my daughter. We will be checking out Northwestern and Wheaton in IL, Calvin and Hope in MI and Oberlin and Cleveland Institute of Music in OH. She is quite an accomplished violinist(impartially speaking of course). After all, I keep reminding myself, she is the reason we are coming out there. Even swinging through Detroit is quite a stretch. I could easily bypass it by going through Ann Arbor but what fun would that be? If anything, I want to dispel the mindset that caused her to say, "Detroit? I just don't want to get shot!" So, you can say I'm going to try to show her the reality of Detroit - both the polished and the unpolished. | ||
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm Post Number: 499 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.189.188.28 |
Hey Kahnman..... .....when you get back, post a full report, would you? We're thinking of heading back to the home front next year for my brother's wedding. It hasn't been 20 years, just 15. One request if you do report. Compare the Eastern Market with Pike Place. Thanks and have a wonderful trip. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 428 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
Livernoisyard, thanks for that link! Beware some of that info seems a few years old. Great info though! | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
Sure thing Douglasm, we'll give a report. Thanks for the responses, everyone. If anyone else has any suggestions, let me know. At this rate, we may not make it to Ohio! | ||
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm Post Number: 500 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.189.188.28 |
BTW, Kahnman, you think resturant food is bland in Seattle (What, you don't like fish?) you should live in Chelan County. It's sad when the best Coney in town comes from A&W, and Red Robin is considered classy dining. | ||
K00jd01 Member Username: K00jd01 Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 143.115.159.53 |
Kahnman, Good luck to her. I graduated from another small liberal arts school - Kalamazoo College. Hope, Calvin, and Oberlin are all great schools. Have fun in the D. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1201 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57 |
Tyree Guyton's Heidelberg Project might be an interesting stop for you and your daughter. http://www.heidelberg.org/ And if you are in Detroit over a Wednesday night, check out the weekly Forum gathering (see Detroit Connections) listed in the latest "FSC for..." thread and join us! | ||
Kahnman Member Username: Kahnman Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 66.15.63.91 |
Thanks for the invite Kathleen. Thursday during the day is when we plan on coming through town. The Heidelberg Project was already on my list - I can't wait to see it! Does anyone else know of any "fringe/outsider" art in the area? I realize the HP is more unique than the usual "lone wolf" artistic expression but surely there must a few "hubcap" or "bottle tree" houses around the area. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 549 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.56 |
Well, there is a "one-of-a-kind" piece of art that formerly hung on the side of a building on Woodward. I would say it is "fringe/outsider", but I believe the current owner of the "House of Nine" sign is hording that gem to themselves!!!!! Damn it!!! |
