  Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman Post Number: 101 Registered: 06-2005 |
Just got back from driving downtown and noticed some people wearing JC Beal hardhats standing at the corner of Elizabeth and Cass. Maybe they were coming out of the Moose Lodge? GAR building? Anyone know what's up? *edit: Fred Beal was among the folks in the group- it was written on his hardhat. (Message edited by Rugbyman on April 26, 2007) | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11530 Registered: 10-2003 |
At one time the Moose Lodge was going to be the replacement for St Andrews Hall, when previous talks of it's sale took place. With talk of St Andrews being sold, who knows, perhaps a rehabbed Moose Lodge is in the works?. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4210 Registered: 08-2004 |
As we know Blair McGowan was (or is?) one of the owners of St. Andrews. Blair also owns the Moose Lodge (per his son who posts here regularly). It is a wonderful building. It would make a great neighbor to a new arena!  I think that a decision on a final location for an arena would really help things along in regards to the Moose Lodge. Banks hate uncertainty. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2003 Registered: 11-2003 |
That would be great for the Moose Lodge and for that part of town - add some life over there! | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1355 Registered: 12-2004 |
I thought the Moose lodge was unsalvagable, because it was falling into its basement or something. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 465 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think the Moose is in great structural shape.  | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1059 Registered: 10-2003 |
The sidewalks that are vaulted are what you are thinking of. Not a problem to fix. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11533 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: No, no, no...that was THE SKY that was falling. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1168 Registered: 11-2004 |
McGowan is working on a replacement for St. Andrews Hall, but not in Detroit. Crofoot building renovations in downtown Pontiac near completion http://www.metromodemedia.com/ devnews/Crofoot0015.aspx?refer rerID=fbce1ca4-4d52-4248-90c8- 1d38b1b5f8cd | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1126 Registered: 10-2003 |
it doesn't have to be one or the other, pontiac is a different market than detroit... | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 124 Registered: 12-2006 |
This is just a hunch, but I wouldn't be overly shocked if the Moose Lodge gets turned into a nightclub if it is re-developed. Think about it. The City, the Fox and the State theaters are all nearby there. can that area support another medium size concert venue in such close proximity? Also, Cliff Bell's has live music in that area too. However, in that general area, there doesn't seem to be too many nightclub/lounge options. You have to go to other parts of downtown for that. Personally, I would love to see another live music venue open up in that area. Perhaps with a concentration of live music venues in one area Detroit could start marketing its live music scene in the way that Austin does. Detroit deserves to have that. Detroit has contributed so much to all forms of American music from Motown to Techno, however, my gut says that it will end up being another too loud, too expensive, meat market. | ||
Skulker Member Username: Skulker Post Number: 3817 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well, now McCourt Music might not have to go so far to get their equipment at the Crofoot. | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2006 |
It seems like the moose lodge is rather large for a music venue. I was at clutch cargos a few days ago and all everyone was talking about was the amazing new venue opening up down the road. | ||
Eastside_charlie Member Username: Eastside_charlie Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2007 |
They probably need someone who can do a nice cheap renovation | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4212 Registered: 08-2004 |
The basement of the Moose Lodge has a larger footprint than the building itself. It also goes under the sidewalk. Since we don't know how much of the Moose Lodge is an actual auditorium type room, it becomes mere speculation to say that it is too big. After all most fraternal organizations contain many other rooms. Each of the lodges at the Masonic Temple contain a maze of ante-rooms. As for Blair McGowan, he's had entertainment venues in both Pontiac and Detroit for many years. If he weren't interested in future entertainment ventures in Detroit, I doubt he would continue holding onto the Moose Lodge. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1060 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Sure we do. The second floor auditorium takes up the second floor with the exception of rest rooms, 2 small offices and 2 stairways. There is also a very small balcony on the sides and some tiered seating with projection room at the rear of house on the third floor. The third floor has a smaller barrel vaulted auditorium that takes up the 2 window bays on the Elizabeth side and 4 window bays of the Cass side in the SE corner. | ||
J_stone Member Username: J_stone Post Number: 365 Registered: 10-2003 |
And yes Toolbox, but what of the bowling balls? Where did they go? I still owe you dinner. And at least 2 good beers, but nothing over $6 bucks a pint so no smoked sausage beer or anything like that. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4221 Registered: 08-2004 |
Toolbox, I was using the royal "we", as I see you were... Thanks for the description. Sounds like a lot of performance spaces. Is it in good condition? Is there any fancy detailing (such as ornate plasterwork)? | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1061 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: They explode when they hit the street in -40°f temps. Or do you mean the part about throwing them at the crack heads trying to break into your work vehicles? There is some nice plasterwork on the ceiling in the main space. The first floor was converted to offices and class rooms with drop ceilings. The basement needs a full gut of what little is left. It's been many years since I was in the building during the clean up. The ceiling in the SW corner was taking a beating from water coming in, the roof drains would freeze inside the building causing water to come in over the roof membrane. (Message edited by toolbox on April 27, 2007) | ||
Eastside_charlie Member Username: Eastside_charlie Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2007 |
My hunch is that Beal is looking at it for Illitch to see what it would cost to demo or redo it. yeah thats it.. Illitch to buy it for the planned red wings arena in the area, less historic crap to deal with if he owns the damn thing. | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 324 Registered: 11-2003 |
I love it, a bear shits in the woods and everyone says he took a piss. Wake up people and use some common sense. | ||
Eastside_charlie Member Username: Eastside_charlie Post Number: 40 Registered: 02-2007 |
everyone thinks he took a piss? what was the real outcome? |
