  Toledolaw05 Member Username: Toledolaw05 Post Number: 54 Registered: 04-2006 |
What building is this? Anyone have a picture? "The renovation of the Book-Cadillac Hotel got another boost Wednesday with the unveiling of plans to demolish a vacant office building next door in order to construct a new parking garage on the site to serve the hotel. Plans for razing the Detroit Commerce Building at 150 Michigan Ave. were unveiled Wednesday at a meeting of the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. The DDA will fund the $1.4 million demolition using State of Michigan funds earmarked for such projects. Demolition is expected to start in a month or so and take about three months to complete." http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20060920/NEWS99/ 60920012 | ||
Valkyrias Member Username: Valkyrias Post Number: 337 Registered: 02-2005 |
"What building is this? Anyone have a picture?" wasn't there another thread from a month or so ago that went into painfully extensive detail about this building and why or why not it should be demolished? and while i'm at it: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/83322.html?1 | ||
Planner_727 Member Username: Planner_727 Post Number: 56 Registered: 07-2006 |
Yeah, I was drafting the post and as soon as I posted it, noticed that is was alread up there. And yes, there was another thread recently that discussed the building. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10635 Registered: 10-2003 |
...anotha one bites the dust! | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2006 |
It really is a shame that with all the vacant land next to the Commerce building that they couldnt put a garage up there. I was hoping that with the developments happening with the Book Cadillac and the Lafayette building that the Commerce would be next on the list. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 170 Registered: 01-2006 |
Southen, I was thinking the same thing in regards to the Lafayette, but at this point who knows how long it could be until that building even has signs of a futue. As of late I have not heard a word. Have I missed something? | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 96 Registered: 08-2006 |
The thread link above is bad. I tried to search commerce building in the forumn and couldn't find any prior thread. Could someone repost that thread link? I'm interested in learning about the history of that building. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2174 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Lafayette building is going nowhere. The city is still negotiating the development agreement with Peebles. The sides have still not come to terms. No real development will occur until the development agreement is signed. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 933 Registered: 10-2003 |
used to be known as the "peoples outfitting building", a former department store. check out mr. kohrman's wonderful site on the subject for more information: http://www.forgottendetroit.co m/peoples/index.html | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2006 |
Even with the uncertainty of the Lafayette building I still think the Commerce building could have been redeveloped at some point. I hate to see an older building with character demolished for another downtown parking structure. I dont see why the Commerce building cant be included in the parking structure or development. The side of the building fronting the empty lot next to it doesnt have any windows and nothing would be lost for the structure. Also, any reason why the buildings across from the Book Cadillac on Michigan Avenue are not being considered for demolition? I know one is a hotel so thats out of the question but there is also an unremarkable 2-3 story building that could be removed for a structure. | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 97 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thanks Rsa | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 1204 Registered: 04-2005 |
I believe it is the building next door to Kissels Drugs. | ||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3301 Registered: 10-2003 |
No, it's the building next to the gravel lot where Kinsel's Drugs used to be. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1625 Registered: 04-2005 |
Here's a night photo of that block showing watt wuzz.  | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 1205 Registered: 04-2005 |
This picture should set the proper tone. Its the building with People's sign on it  Kissels is under the sign (Message edited by PSIP on September 20, 2006) | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 186 Registered: 03-2006 |
will this structure have ground floor retail? that would at least alleviate some of the pain of the inevitable. Its going to happen guys, it sucks...but its detroit, oh hell....its america | ||
Valkyrias Member Username: Valkyrias Post Number: 338 Registered: 02-2005 |
stecks77...the link above is bad because the original post was deleted (it was a dupe post of this one). not sure what the link is to the other thread from a few months ago on this same topic. i never have luck with searching the archives... | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 953 Registered: 11-2004 |
This is the link that explains the reasoning behind the demolition and what will go up there. It may be long, but it's definitely worth the read if you're interested in the project. https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/62684/61752.html | ||
Valkyrias Member Username: Valkyrias Post Number: 339 Registered: 02-2005 |
wait...that was back in december? wow. either i am thinking of a different thread on a similar topic but different building, or this year has just gone by way too fast for me... | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 43 Registered: 03-2006 |
TAKEN MONDAY  | ||
Baltgar Member Username: Baltgar Post Number: 33 Registered: 06-2006 |
One positive to the demo is that the parking structure will not be as tall as the Commerce bldg., so there will be better views of the Book Cadillac and vice versa (out the hotel windows at the City). | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4458 Registered: 10-2003 |
lol! BTW, as usual, does anyone know who design the People's Outfitting Building, and exactly when it was renovated? Forgotten Detroit seems to make mention of a renovation in the 60's to convert it to what it is today: Detroit Commerce Building. When exactly was it vacated? It will be sad to go not only because it's unnecessary, but because the interior of the building is still in relatively good shape. It's been said before, but for a more money, the developers could bypass demolition and built a vertical deck on the empty lot directly next to the People's Outfitting. They could also look at the huge surface lot right across the street from the PO and BC to construct a deck on. I realize it's about the bottom line, and that Ferchill most likely got a better deal to buy the building, demolish it, and build a parking garage, as the people across the street probably wouldn't sell or were asking more, but it still doesn't make it any less sad to see it go. On the surface, though, it sure does seem like there were multiple options to work around the demolition, but the bottom line has to win out. (Message edited by lmichigan on September 20, 2006) | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4478 Registered: 10-2003 |
I forgot to ask, does the DDA currently own the building? | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 276 Registered: 09-2004 |
Anyone have a date for that awesomd olde time night photo? I'd guess late 40s/early 50s because you can see streetcar wires, but anything more specific would be grand. Thanks! | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2005 |
What about the empty lot next to the B-C itself? There's nothing there and the windows don't start on that side of the building for a ways up. The garage could have wrapped around the B-C w/an entrance on the Washington Blvd. side, no? At least it LOOKS like there'd be enough room, though I don't know what the B-C's parking requirements will be. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4488 Registered: 10-2003 |
The lot to the north is going to include the new conference center and some other hotel amenities. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2005 |
Ahh, I missed that. Thanks, Lmich. Man, with all of that space in that huge building, they have to build an annex onto it? Why not just turn one of the floors into the conference center? | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 548 Registered: 11-2004 |
Yes, it is needed since it will also contain a new ballroom, swimming pool and fitness center |
