Discuss Detroit » Archives - January 2008 » New Work at the David Whitney Building « Previous Next »
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Sciencefair
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Username: Sciencefair

Post Number: 52
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 2:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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?
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Tetsua
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Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 1405
Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 3:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't understand how the work going on here could remain a secret for so long.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 6213
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 3:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.
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Detroitstar
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Username: Detroitstar

Post Number: 904
Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.
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Detroit_stylin
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Username: Detroit_stylin

Post Number: 5465
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Can anyone say Quicken?
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Crew
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Username: Crew

Post Number: 1399
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Casino Windsor is secretly expanding....you just can't trust those sneaky Canadians.
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Sturge
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Username: Sturge

Post Number: 205
Registered: 05-2007
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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. :-O

At least they are merciful in taking down abandoned ones.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1394
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroit Stylin...hit me up kevin@ crushmediagroup dot come
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French777
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Username: French777

Post Number: 316
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LOL CREW!!
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Johnlodge
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Username: Johnlodge

Post Number: 4845
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ilitch will put sign on this PREMIER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, King Kwame will anounce with Quicken their new HQ.

Haha, I beat Danny.
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Monahan568
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Username: Monahan568

Post Number: 270
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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!!
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Spiritofdetroit
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Username: Spiritofdetroit

Post Number: 809
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 4:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hahaha... I didnt even look to see who wrote that, assuming it was danny until the last line. good one johnlodge
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Rugbyman
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Username: Rugbyman

Post Number: 215
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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)
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D_mcc
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Username: D_mcc

Post Number: 166
Registered: 12-2007
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

New party palaces for King Kwame...the Last King of Detroit
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Civilprotectionunit4346
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Username: Civilprotectionunit4346

Post Number: 618
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.
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Civilprotectionunit4346
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Username: Civilprotectionunit4346

Post Number: 619
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 5:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 6218
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 6:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.
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Wolverine
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Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 411
Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 6:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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.

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