  Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 2689 Registered: 02-2007 |
chutes and dumpsters set up, looks like some site/interior demolition, trucks with company names taped over, no permits have been pulled (from what I've been told) anyone know anything? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2908 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is this a joke Rb? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2909 Registered: 10-2003 |
https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/105585.html?1189806869 | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 2690 Registered: 02-2007 |
thanks. I know it's beal, you know it's beal, beal vehemently denies it. it's the masked off company logos that get me. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 2300 Registered: 06-2006 |
I was there less than 24 hours ago and didn't see any of this stuff Rb336 mentions... | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 2691 Registered: 02-2007 |
I was tipped off by someone I know who works at the michigan bldg | ||
Krawlspace Member Username: Krawlspace Post Number: 324 Registered: 04-2004 |
Was by there last week and saw lights on in the lobby area through gaps in the plywood... | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 956 Registered: 11-2004 |
Any activity today? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5466 Registered: 08-2004 |
From what I've heard, the part of the United Artists Theatre that has suffered the worst weather related damage is the rotunda lobby that connects the office block (outer lobby) to the auditorium. Although many theatres have rotundas, none are anywhere near the intricate filigree work (ornate plaster) that this space has (or had). Because the streets of The Woodward Plan are not perpendicular, the Bagley entrance lobby is angled 50 degrees out of plomb with the theatre. So C. Howard Crane came up with a rotunda design to overcome this odd difference in angles. Fortunately the ornate plaster in this space is repeated throughout the rotunda, so any future possible restoration would only require fragments of the plasterwork (for making molds). | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 299 Registered: 08-2006 |
From my visit in there (December 2006 seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/s outhen/sets/72157594448748685/ ) the rotunda lobby was probably the worst area to traverse through. There was plaster and debris everywhere and much of the ornamentation was completely gone. You could tell that it was a great space at one time, but it was a complete mess. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 199 Registered: 08-2007 |
walked by the UA on Friday and there are folks working inside. (Message edited by gnome on October 15, 2007) | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5524 Registered: 08-2004 |
Maryland has historic restoration firms as well as demolition firms (adding a positive spin!).  Maybe it's someone like this: http://www.irvineconstruction. com/?gclid=CICzpcnKkY8CFQ5lQQo diEAwGQ Why would Ilitch put a new roof on his building, only to tear it down? That doesn't make sense. | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 801 Registered: 07-2006 |
while that is quite a jump to make to come to that conclusion, it's certainly possible. i doubt it though. there's plenty of other demo companies, and it seems unlikely they'd bring in CDI for something like this. the only real obstacle they have is the Michigan building across the street, and that seems a (relatively) simple enough one to avoid. (however, i admit my expertise is entirely the result of the discovery channel) Hudson's was more difficult, because of the sheer size of the building, the number of additions, the lack of blueprints, and the people mover track beside it (which was still damaged). There's nothing particularly special about the UA that would make me think someone else couldn't do it, someone more local. The Hudson's contract was actually awarded to a joint venture of Homrich (a Detroit company) and another company, they chose to retain CDI. | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 200 Registered: 08-2007 |
I should not have floated an unproven rumor. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 955 Registered: 11-2005 |
Why tear down the UA when he's still pitching "great development opportunities" on the outside of it? If anything goes, it's going to be the theater, sadly. But I think those of us who have been inside the theater all know that, like Tiger Stadium, the theater's demolition is inevitable. | ||
Malcovemagnesia Member Username: Malcovemagnesia Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2005 |
How can they get away with doing work in the UA building without any permits or public notice or any official acknowledgment of what they have in store for the place? | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 958 Registered: 11-2005 |
Um, cuz he's Mike Ilitch. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5526 Registered: 08-2004 |
Rhymeswithrawk.... I thought the same thing about the condition of the Capitol Theatre back in 1990 when I visited it. I thought it was beyond repair. But with the replacement of 90% of the plasterwork... we now have the Detroit Opera House! It would take someone with deep pockets to restore the UA Theatre. Now that both theatre and office building roof have been repaired, anything is possible. I don't know how likely it is, but as long as the structural frame of the theatre portion is sound, then replacing the plaster "envelope" of the theatre is doable. And with the acoustic marvel that the UA is (or was), it would be a pity to lose one of C. Howard Cranes best theatre designs (one of his 3 Spanish Gothic/Art Deco UA theatres). After his twin Fox masterpieces (Detroit & St. Louis) theatre buffs consider his 3 UA Theatres his best theatre designs (Detroit, LA-now a Church, Chicago-razed in 1990). With old movie palaces, the poor condition of the plasterwork often makes them look more ruinous than they really are. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 964 Registered: 11-2005 |
The Capitol Theatre couldn't possibly have been in the same disrepair as the UA Theatre, could it? I mean, the UA is in tear-inducingly bad shape. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 2431 Registered: 06-2006 |
Speaking of the Opera House, what is up with the retail space attached to the garage? It there any possibility that any tenant might be moving in there at any point in the foreseeable future? I thought it was bit strange when I saw that space being built, but I figured someone knew what they were doing...that a market study was conducted or that some tenants were lined up...but it still sits vacant... what gives? (Message edited by thejesus on October 17, 2007) | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5527 Registered: 08-2004 |
Rhymes... oh yeah, the Capitol was in bad bad shape. There was a piano "swimming" in the pool that used to be the orchestra pit... huge chunks of plasterwork lying over all the auditorium seats. When I saw this sorry sight back in 1990, one could not tell what the interior colors of the theatre were... it was so bad. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1292 Registered: 10-2003 |
oh yes, the capitol was in that bad a shape. complete with holes in the roof that you could see sky thru and a piano floating in the flooded orchestra pit. the capitol/opera house is the best example of a complete gut and rehab around (the book cadillac may take this title when it's completed). in the past few years a requirement was written into the zoning for the CBD that if you build a parking structure it must include a retail component to it. this is why the commercial building was built along side the opera house parking garage. also because the opera house people wanted to improve the streetscape and pedestrian condition along broadway for the future, even if the market didn't dictate it when it was constructed. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5528 Registered: 08-2004 |
The one major difference between the Capitol and UA is that the Capitols fixtures (chandeliers, sconces, etc.) were still in place, while those in the UA were sold off circa 1972/73. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1832 Registered: 12-2005 |
Gistok--hate to disagree with you, but I was in the capitol as part of a group that was interested in restoring the theatre (the best possible group ended up getting and restoring the theatre in the end) and although the chandleries in the grand lobby were there, the chandeliers that hung in front of each organ grille flanking the proscenium were (and are) gone, the balcony soffit glass panels were gone and on sale at various antique shops in the area and the outer lobby stained glass ceiling was completely stolen. BTW--the UA auction (thank you AAA) was in January of 1975--I was there. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5531 Registered: 08-2004 |
56packman, I know that the original stained glass was gone from the Ford Lobby ceiling. Someone estimated that it would cost $2 million to restore the glass, but as it turned out, that was an exaggerated claim. The replacement stained glass only cost about $50,000. I was mainly referring to the original 4 tall candleabra's in front of the organ grilles. All 4 of them were still there for the restoration (they were there since the theatre opened back in 1922). I don't know about other smaller specific lighting fixtures around the building. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1016 Registered: 11-2005 |
Is that a demo fence that has been erected around the UA? Looks like the same fencing as around the Ilitch-owned Chin Tiki and Moose Lodge. If he razes it, I will start doing the same to Little Caesars Pizza stores. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2002 Registered: 10-2006 |
Demo Days!! | ||
Sciencefair Member Username: Sciencefair Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2007 |
It wouldn't make much sense to put a new roof on a building only to demo it a few months later. But then again, who needs logic? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5714 Registered: 08-2004 |
I can't speak for Chin-Tiki, but the fence around the U/A and Moose Lodge has been there for quite some time... In fact the Moose Lodge fence has been there even when Blair McGowan still owned it before selling it to Mike Ilitch. Also, the basement of the Moose Lodge extends underneath the sidewalk. | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 418 Registered: 06-2005 |
Anyone ever figure out what hes doing here? Any NEW news? | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 2698 Registered: 06-2006 |
^Probably just regular maintenance to prevent water damage and such...the kind of stuff people always complain that he never does... | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1348 Registered: 06-2005 |
Beautiful Building!••••.but...Does it have any chance of surviving the wrecking ball?? | ||
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710 Post Number: 377 Registered: 07-2006 |
The Chin Tiki definitely did not have a fence around it as of August 12, 2006, when I was last there. Does anyone know when the fence was erected? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 6789 Registered: 02-2004 |
Now official construction yet at the United Artists building. Mike Illitch will let the city know that a "PREMIER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY" comes. | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1201 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thejesus wrote, "Probably just regular maintenance to prevent water damage and such...the kind of stuff people always complain that he never does" Um, he hasn't done ANY maintenance--let alone regular maintenance-- until now on that building, if that's indeed what he's doing. Preventing water damage? More like a last-minute attempt to stop water from wrecking the building completely, since it has a TON of water damage already. | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 419 Registered: 06-2005 |
Do you think Illich knows were all getting an ulcer over this? LOL | ||
Billk Member Username: Billk Post Number: 165 Registered: 09-2005 |
A crew has been working inside the UA since this spring. As for the Moose & Chin Tiki, earlier this summer they put up a new fence that goes out to the street because the basement goes out to the street. | ||
Billk Member Username: Billk Post Number: 166 Registered: 09-2005 |
...and work is progressing on the CC Bar. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 3144 Registered: 10-2003 |
Do you really think Ilitch is aware of this forum? Come on. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 703 Registered: 11-2006 |
I am sure his people are. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5732 Registered: 08-2004 |
Exactly... I went to lunch a few weeks ago with someone on this forum. They work for Oakland County government. They often check this forum for their superiors since some information often gets here before it hits elsewhere. So while the powers that be may not be on this forum, you can bet that the folks who work for them will check it out periodically for a heads up! | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 421 Registered: 06-2005 |
Hey did we ever figure out whats up with this work going on at the theater? Gistok? I check this website every day and pray for its restoration! What a great motown theater it would be. Put some motown sound in there and give people another reason to come downtown. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5778 Registered: 08-2004 |
The only thing I can figure out Exmotowner is that the roof to the theatre and office block have been repaired to prevent further deterioration. So the building appears to be basically mothballed awaiting an announcement by Dan Gilbert. Unless there are other construction type goings on in the building at the moment.... | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 422 Registered: 06-2005 |
Thanks Gistok, I guess we'll just continue to hold our breath and hope! | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1037 Registered: 11-2005 |
Ilitch owns it. Why would he allow a theater in the same part of town compete with his Fox? He's too selfish to ever allow that to happen. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5789 Registered: 08-2004 |
... not if he controls the bookings... The Fox has 5,174 seats, while the United Artists had 2,070 when first opened, but later scaled back to 1,688 seats. So they are 2 different sized venues. A venue for smaller acts wouldn't hurt the Fox. And since Dan Gilbert is great friends with the Ilitch's, having a Quicken Center for the Performing Arts center owned & restored by Gilbert, and booked by Ilitch, that would be a win-win for both. |
