 
Sciencefair
Member
Username: Sciencefair
Post Number: 52
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 2:49 pm: |    |
It appears there is more exterior work being done on the Whitney building, this time on the first floor entrance from Washington Blvd. The eye-sore cmu wall has been removed, exposing the elaborate former entry way. Not sure what the next move will be, perhaps new store front windows? Anyone know anything about this? |
Tetsua
Member
Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 1405
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 3:27 pm: | |
I don't understand how the work going on here could remain a secret for so long. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 6213
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 3:38 pm: | |
Well there's still secret work going on at the United Artists Building as well. A lot of men in hard hats have been spotted there as well in the last 2 weeks with lots of lights on inside. |
Detroitstar
Member
Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 904
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:19 pm: | |
2 long vacant, high profile empty buildings downtown with secret happenings going on just a block apart. There is no doubt in my mind the efforts going on at the two buildings are connected.
I would think that will all the investigative power of this forum, that someone would be able to get to the bottom of things. |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 5465
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:26 pm: | |
Can anyone say Quicken? |
Crew
Member
Username: Crew
Post Number: 1399
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:32 pm: | |
Casino Windsor is secretly expanding....you just can't trust those sneaky Canadians. |
Sturge
Member
Username: Sturge
Post Number: 205
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:45 pm: | |
Maybe the "evil doers" are laying the thermite charges so the Bush's can make their October surprise by making a 9/11 in Detroit. 
At least they are merciful in taking down abandoned ones. |
Viziondetroit
Member
Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:50 pm: | |
Detroit Stylin...hit me up kevin@ crushmediagroup dot come |
French777
Member
Username: French777
Post Number: 316
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:50 pm: | |
LOL CREW!! |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 4845
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:54 pm: | |
Ilitch will put sign on this PREMIER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, King Kwame will anounce with Quicken their new HQ.
Haha, I beat Danny. |
Monahan568
Member
Username: Monahan568
Post Number: 270
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:57 pm: | |
here is an idea if you see some one working on the building don't be afraid they will not laugh at you just ask them what they are doing 9 times out of ten they we TELL YOU!! |
Spiritofdetroit
Member
Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 809
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:57 pm: | |
hahaha... I didnt even look to see who wrote that, assuming it was danny until the last line. good one johnlodge |
Rugbyman
Member
Username: Rugbyman
Post Number: 215
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:00 pm: | |
I have to admit I'm pretty shocked that in the months of speculation about the UA work and the weeks since whomever lives in Trolley Plaza or whatever they're calling it now posted the pics of the Whitney Building's exterior walls NO ONE on this forum has solid proof about what's really going on. There was a time there were all sorts of scoops on here and now it just seems like banter and asking who remembers high school.
That said, my own bit of speculation is that it's the result of the other connotation of speculation. If Quicken were to come out tomorrow and make the announcement they're moving to the Statler site, a functioning HQ could be on that site in under two years. How many years (decades?) did the Book-Cadillac renovation take to get the financing in order for a building in terrible shape? How long did the Cadillac Square development take to get off the ground using out of state financial resources and developers? Exactly.
Put a little work into the buildings so if/when the announcement comes you can tell your out of state investors what a steal the building is and how the renovations have already begun. How many times have we read about out of staters saying how cheap everything is? Even an inflated price by Detroit standards would look like a bargain for a partially renovated property across the street from a huge new HQ with thousands of workers to a less-savvy out of state investor.
I don't see this as a "they know something we don't." I think it's more of a getting ready to make a killing if the opportunity presents itself. Don't look for anything much more than cosmetics or shoring up structure on either project.
(Message edited by rugbyman on January 28, 2008) |
D_mcc
Member
Username: D_mcc
Post Number: 166
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:02 pm: | |
New party palaces for King Kwame...the Last King of Detroit |
Civilprotectionunit4346
Member
Username: Civilprotectionunit4346
Post Number: 618
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:15 pm: | |
Probably whats going on is they are cleaning up the exterior & fixing some issues with the outside structure. Might look like they might be putting it up on the block for sale in the next few months...spring is almost upon us. |
Civilprotectionunit4346
Member
Username: Civilprotectionunit4346
Post Number: 619
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:23 pm: | |
What seems like is going on is they are cleaning the outside structure & fixing some of the outside structual issues like bricks that have fallen off of it & etc. Probably they are going to put it on the market for sale this coming spring. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 6218
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 6:14 pm: | |
As has been stated, repairing the neighboring building does 2 things...
1) makes it more likely that Quicken may choose the Statler site if the buildings bordering it look nicer.
2) making the upgrades also makes it more likely that with a Quicken HQ next door, the neighboring buildings will be more marketable for other investors. |
Wolverine
Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 411
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 6:27 pm: | |
Even in its vacant state, the Whitney really shined on the inside. It's a shame the interior went from perfect condition to trashed over a matter of just a few months two summers ago. Hopefully they've been able to get things back to normal on the inside. |