Flybydon Member Username: Flybydon
Post Number: 110 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 12:40 pm: | |
Looks like new floors are being added. 4/29/2007
Over all images.
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Bvos Member Username: Bvos
Post Number: 2165 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 1:03 pm: | |
As always, thanks for the "sneak peak" on your work. Some great pics of the grand dame. There's no question that work is going full steam ahead now. |
1953 Member Username: 1953
Post Number: 1358 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 1:06 pm: | |
Love the pics; thanks! |
Skulker Member Username: Skulker
Post Number: 3823 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 1:16 pm: | |
As has been covered ad nauseum, the two elevator mechanical penthouses were in such terrible condition that they had to be completely removed and rebuilt. No new floors, just replacement of existing penthouses. (Message edited by skulker on April 30, 2007) |
Llyn Member Username: Llyn
Post Number: 1826 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 2:06 pm: | |
Great pics, thanks. I have a slight sensation of falling looking at a few of them in a row, though... Looks like they're cleaning the copper roofing. Is there any way to preserve the copper without it turning blue again in a year or two or however long it takes? I know we had some discussion about copper corrosion before on a Book Building thread. The corrosion somehow seals it, or removing it unseals it or something? Sorry for the lame memory. |
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 2574 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 2:10 pm: | |
They use copper because they want that bluish green patina. If they want a copper reddish color they would use a different finish material. |
Innercitydoc Member Username: Innercitydoc
Post Number: 34 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 2:11 pm: | |
Skulkers right because the project wouldn't be eligible for the historic tax credit if new floors were to be added. The new copper will bring new life to the roof though. |
Planner_727 Member Username: Planner_727
Post Number: 103 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 2:12 pm: | |
Interesting you mentioned the copper thing... the north penthouse has been cleaned, right? For a minute, I thought it had been stripped to wood. RE: the corrosion, there is a sealer you can put on copper similar to wood sealer that prevents the 'green' corrosion from occurring. I had a bay window installed 10 years ago with copper flashing on top, sealed it up, and still looks like new. Looks great, thanks for the pics!! |
Mjb3 Member Username: Mjb3
Post Number: 153 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 3:20 pm: | |
I kind of miss the old sign? Did they take it down permanently? Once their done, I thing the old Cadillac sign would make a nice touch. |
Patrick Member Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4296 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 3:42 pm: | |
A rooftop pool would look sweet up there. What floor is the pool on anyways? |
Dan Member Username: Dan
Post Number: 1389 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 3:44 pm: | |
WOW! How awesome. Thanks for the pics Flybydon. |
Kenp Member Username: Kenp
Post Number: 479 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 7:04 pm: | |
View from the Tigers game. It will be cool to see it lit up for night games.
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Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 965 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 8:08 pm: | |
Mjb3-- The old sign used to say "SHERATON CADILLAC" and was added in the fifties after Sheraton bought it. I don't miss the sign; it looked dated (not in a good way) and kind of cheap; a reminder of the ugly renovations that Sheraton did. |
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 879 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 8:19 pm: | |
eclectic we like to say Burnsie |
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn
Post Number: 379 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 8:22 pm: | |
oh my word how i look forward to enjoying this building in its restored splendor. i can't wait. |
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 246 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 8:45 pm: | |
Great pics! Man, that has to be the building with the weirdest footprint...it's so deceiving from the ground. |
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 966 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 8:58 pm: | |
Charlottepaul-- Just because something adds an eclectic touch doesn't mean it's worth keeping. If a Reebok ad had been on top of the BC for years, would you have favored keeping it because it was eclectic? |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 699 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 4:41 am: | |
View from the Tigers game. It will be cool to see it lit up for night games. It's lit up for night games now. Has been since Opening Day. |
Apbest Member Username: Apbest
Post Number: 526 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 8:27 am: | |
they are replacing the red light up sign....remember the renderings? It will say Westin Book Cadillac or something |
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 883 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 8:37 am: | |
Burnsie, my answer is probably. I think that those kind of featurewhat helps separate the city from the suburbs just as much as neon lights, or those old ads painted on the side of buildings that are uncovered from decades ago when the building next to it gets demolished. |
Mallory Member Username: Mallory
Post Number: 106 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 9:29 am: | |
For those like me who no longer live in CofD yet still love our old hometown, you have no idea what these pictures mean to me. I worked downtown for 10 years, walked by the old girl at least once a week, and always fantasized of what could be, and now "what could be" is becoming "what will be." Thanks so much for the visual updates. They are most appreciated. <snif> I'm kinda pherklempt. I need a minute. |
Bvos Member Username: Bvos
Post Number: 2166 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 9:43 am: | |
The Snews has a lot of pics of the Book Caddy restoration (starting from a few months back to a few weeks ago). It's right at the top of the home page: www.detnews.com |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 5851 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 10:20 am: | |
New widows are in place in the BC. It's great to have the Louis Kamper's architectual wonder back to life. |
Dalangdon Member Username: Dalangdon
Post Number: 136 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 10:57 am: | |
There's a good, practical reason hotels have big neon signs on top of them - to help arriving guests find them, and to help current guests find their way back home after sightseeing. Plus, they show a brand presence. |
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport
Post Number: 261 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 4:28 pm: | |
I want a big, lit sign up there just to show people who may think that it is still abandoned that it is alive again. |
Michmeister Member Username: Michmeister
Post Number: 172 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 4:54 pm: | |
Somebody pinch me! Ouch, not there! The lady is going to be awesome- again. |
Southen Member Username: Southen
Post Number: 158 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 5:07 pm: | |
Rbdetsport im sure all the lights on inside will be a pretty good indicator that the building isnt abandoned. |
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 967 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 5:23 pm: | |
I'm all for a sign with the hotel's name on top-- I just don't have any regrets for the old SHERATON CADILLAC one. In a way I thought it was kind of neat because it was representative of its period, but overall it looked dated and frumpy. The design of the hotel facade itself, though, is timeless. |
Patrick Member Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4318 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 5:34 pm: | |
What they need to do is take a few giant candles and place them on the roof. That would make it one sweet birthday cake. |