Discuss Detroit » Archives - January 2008 » Bank of America « Previous Next »
Top of pageBottom of page

Andyguard73
Member
Username: Andyguard73

Post Number: 283
Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't remember seeing a thread lately on Bank of America, so I thought I'd mentioned. I was in Pinkney this weekend for the Trail Marathon, and was visiting with family my cousins there the night before. One of their friends works for Bank of America, and I asked her if there were any rumors going around about a headquarters in Detroit. She said, fairly definitively, that they were putting a head quarters. I don't remember exactly what she said, but I'm under the impression that it'd be new construction. Full disclaimer: this is what I was told by an employee is going around. I haven't seen anything official, I just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else has heard anything about it.
Top of pageBottom of page

Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise

Post Number: 2015
Registered: 09-2007
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, I sorta kinda got the hint from their Banner in Foxtown. :-)

https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/134146.html?1207793051

If this is true, I hope they do something like what Key Bank did in Cleveland.

(Message edited by DetroitRise on April 27, 2008)
Top of pageBottom of page

Lifeinmontage
Member
Username: Lifeinmontage

Post Number: 118
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

what did Key Bank do in Cleveland, Detroitrise?
Top of pageBottom of page

Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise

Post Number: 2016
Registered: 09-2007
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"what did Key Bank do in Cleveland, Detroitrise?"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/t fiz/518460609/
Top of pageBottom of page

E_hemingway
Member
Username: E_hemingway

Post Number: 1658
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a hard time believing BOA will be building anything in the immediate future.

Bank of America's earnings drop 77% and troubles may only grow

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If the 77% drop in Bank of America's first-quarter earnings is any indication, the economy may have a long way to go before it works out the problems that began with the subprime-mortgage crisis.

On Monday, the nation's largest retail bank quintupled the money it set aside for loans that go sour and hinted that consumer weakness and the housing slump mean that things will not get better for it -- or for the economy -- for some time.

"I think... it would be too early to strike up the band and sing 'Happy Days are Here Again,' " Chief Executive Ken Lewis told analysts. He said the situation in the capital markets was particularly tough in March.

Like many other banks, Charlotte-based Bank of America is besieged on two sides. Its bread-and-butter banking business is ailing because more people are failing to repay their loans.

The credit crisis is also hobbling the value of many bank investments. Last week, crosstown rival Wachovia Corp. said it lost $393 million in the first quarter because of bad credit and tumultuous financial markets. Washington Mutual Inc. lost $1.1 billion.

Wells Fargo & Co.'s profit fell 11%, JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s profit slid 50% and Citigroup Inc. posted a loss of $5.1 billion.

If the economy doesn't turn around soon, more troubles could loom for Bank of America. It's set to acquire distressed subprime-mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp. later this year, and it holds the nation's biggest credit card business and retail branch network.

In January, Bank of America agreed to acquire Countrywide, based in Calabasas, Calif., in a deal valued at about $4 billion in stock when it was announced. Countrywide is among the dozens of mortgage lenders that have battled an increase in mortgage defaults and foreclosures. Bank of America's shares dropped 95 cents, or about 2.5%, to $37.61.

Write-downs -- largely in part because of more and more people missing payments on their credit cards and home loans -- led Bank of America to report a decline in first-quarter profit of $1.21 billion, or 23 cents a share, on $17 billion in revenue. That compared with net income of $5.26 billion, or $1.16 a share, a year earlier on $18.16 billion in revenue.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=2008804220307
Top of pageBottom of page

Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 4700
Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

BoA has built a lot of new buildings in the recent past: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B ank_of_america
^read their list of corporate buildings.

Obviously there is nothing in Michigan yet, a market they are just entering in a big way. If they can build huge buildings in Atlanta and Jacksonville and St. Petersburg, I'm sure they'd be pondering a corporate HQ to accompany their new MI operations. With their interest in central cities, and the mayor's proficiency in attracting businesses, one should like Detroit's chances to get a regional HQ.
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5959
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 4:47 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Even if things were going well, they'd have little need for something huge up this way.

Please do remember, mack, that the Atlanta tower wasn't built for BofA but NationsBank, and that the Jacksonville Tower was built for Barnett Bank. In fact, many of BofA's towers were not built for the bank rather something they acquired through takeovers/mergers.

Please do remember, too, that where BofA has built giant towers they've done so in fast or relatively fast-growing markets. Population growth does account for something. At the moment, the Detroit market is a mature and stagnant market. Pointing to places like Atlanta, Jacksonville, and St. Pete are inappropriate comparisons at best.
Top of pageBottom of page

El_jimbo
Member
Username: El_jimbo

Post Number: 653
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 8:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hemingway,

While the 77% drop in profits is troubling, do keep in mind that they did still turn a profit. If a bad quarter for them still leaves them in the black then they are WELL ahead of the Big 3. Think of this comparison. Ford has a $100 Million first quarter and we are talking about how they are making positive steps. BoA has a $1.21 BILLION quarter and they are concerned.
Top of pageBottom of page

Crew
Member
Username: Crew

Post Number: 1427
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 10:05 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lmichigan, While it's true that the BoA building in Atlanta was built for NationsBank, that's the same company. Nations Bank bought BoA and decided to use the BoA name and drop NationsBank.
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5963
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 6:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for that correction. Still, it doesn't change the fact that many of BofA's current regional headquarters were acquired through takeovers and merger. My only point is that to expect some giant new tower in downtown Detroit would be more than premature.
Top of pageBottom of page

Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul

Post Number: 2467
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 6:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Trust me. From the point of view of an employee in the architecture profession in Charlotte, NC, B of A isn't holding back much on building many more corporate high rises here in uptown Charlotte. For example, our firm is working on a 1400 space parking deck for one of the their new buildings. The high rise that they are currently building has work crews on it 7 days a week and 3 large carnes = lots of $$$. Chances are that if they were planning to build a new HQ in Detroit, that that as well would not be slowing down for any reason.
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5966
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 7:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Charlotte is a growing market with many more potential new customers.
Top of pageBottom of page

Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul

Post Number: 2468
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 7:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, you also could argue that Charlotte is growing because it is Bank Town, USA, but that doesn't mean that B of A wouldn't consider about investing in other markets which it serves. I guess my point is that if they are doing so much building down here, it might be natural to expect some spin-off in other locations.
Top of pageBottom of page

Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 4706
Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 7:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'd be happier if they just renovated the Stott Tower. No new buildings neccessary.
Top of pageBottom of page

El_jimbo
Member
Username: El_jimbo

Post Number: 654
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 10:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LMichigan,

For BofA, Detroit could be considered a growing customer market for them. With Comerica so firmly entrenched here for so many years, BofA didn't make a lot of headway in the Detroit market. Now with Comerica choosing to move its investments elsewhere, there is a whole in the market available to be filled. Don't forget that in spite of the economic conditions this is still a market with over 5 million people in it. That is a LOT of potential customers out there.
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5969
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 10:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good point, but didn't LaSalle and National City pick up where Comerica left off? And, I wonder how many Comerica customer really dropped their accounts with the bank?

Really, I'm not trying to imply that BofA couldn't have a larger presence in this market, but all of this talk of new signature skyscrapers just seems so incredibly premature.
Top of pageBottom of page

Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok

Post Number: 6741
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 1:59 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All they would need to do is lease 1001 Woodward, and they would already have a bank tower taller than the nearby Chase Tower (former NBD HQ).

Granted it's not the Key Tower or the Charlotte HQ, but in this market, it'll do. Plus it would have a premium corner in downtown on Campus Martius, and take care of an empty, but elegant granite clad former bank tower.
Top of pageBottom of page

Fastcarsfreedom
Member
Username: Fastcarsfreedom

Post Number: 310
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 3:05 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Okay...not to be picky, but the Atlanta tower wasn't even built for NationsBank--it was built for Citizens & Southern (C&S) which was a major Southeastern US regional that NCNB (NationsBank's legacy name) bought prior to the new building being completed. Indeed, Jacksonville was the Barnett HQ (Barnett's sale is still a big sore point down that way...)

As for Key--Key inherited the building in Cleveland which was built by Society Bank. Key had been headquartered in New York State--but liked the Cleveland Society Center so much that they moved in. Cesar Pleli the great post-modernist is responsible for the Society Center turned Key Tower.
Top of pageBottom of page

Crew
Member
Username: Crew

Post Number: 1428
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 9:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fastcars, thanks for the clarification! That being the case, don't they now own the large building in Troy which was the HQ for Standard Federal? I understand that BoA prefers to be located in downtown locations but in this market they won't be able to sell the Troy building. I doubt we'll see them downtown anytime soon.
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5974
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 7:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

National City bought the Top of Troy Building, unless BofA bought some other signature office building in Troy.
Top of pageBottom of page

Viziondetroit
Member
Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1652
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 8:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does it really matter? Do we need a building or a sign atop one to validate anything?
Top of pageBottom of page

El_jimbo
Member
Username: El_jimbo

Post Number: 656
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 8:50 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Viziondetroit,

The building and the sign aren't the point. It is what they represent. If BofA moves their offices downtown then that means more people downtown to support local business and more taxbase for the city.
Top of pageBottom of page

Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise

Post Number: 2028
Registered: 09-2007
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 9:01 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Besides, I think it's about time Detroit received a new skyscraper with a huge presence in the skyline (the casinos aren't seen in most pictures), and B of A + Quicken could be the ones to take that step.

Does anyone else agree?

(Message edited by DetroitRise on April 30, 2008)
Top of pageBottom of page

Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc

Post Number: 4191
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 10:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

Besides, I think it's about time Detroit received a new skyscraper with a huge presence in the skyline (the casinos aren't seen in most pictures), and B of A + Quicken could be the ones to take that step.

Does anyone else agree?



No. See: Renaissance Center, 1977.
Top of pageBottom of page

El_jimbo
Member
Username: El_jimbo

Post Number: 657
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 10:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Danindc,

It depends upon the design of the structure. If the design is open and inviting to the area around it, then the building will tie in nicely with the surrounding area. However, if it is built like a fortress, as the Ren-Cen was, then it will be a failure.
Top of pageBottom of page

Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc

Post Number: 4194
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 11:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The fortress issue is irrelevant. Go to Atlanta and tell me that isn't an entire downtown of fortress architecture.

The Renaissance Center was pushed by Henry Ford II in an ill-advised effort to spur investment in downtown Detroit. The massive complex was supposed to INSPIRE people to want to invest their money there. Instead, the massive glut of space kept the downtown real estate market depressed for decades. No one invests millions of dollars based on their postcard collection.

Lease rates are currently extremely low in Detroit. Adding a "signature" tower is virtually guaranteed to keep those rates low. Developers aren't going to build if they can't recover their investment. Detroit would be better off by filling the existing space it has, and tightening the market up a bit.

One final thought: Paris is a city of 8-story buildings.
Top of pageBottom of page

3rdworldcity
Member
Username: 3rdworldcity

Post Number: 1116
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 11:33 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gistok: Your suggestion is way too practical for the institutional mind to grasp.

Danindc: Not to nitpick (although I will anyway), rents in Detroit are not "low." They are what they are...what the market seems to be saying is what they should be (notwithstanding the continuing serious vacancy problem.) Rents may be higher or lower than historical averages or the rents in other markets, but I believe classifying them as high or low is not appropriate.

It may be of interest to know some of BA's plans. An associate has many real estate loans with LaSalle/ABM Ambro, now BA. He recently was notified that BA will not renew any of its $3.5 billion in commercial (incl RE) loans when they mature. The scamble is on, believe me. I can think of nothing more disastrous to the regional economy that that.(My friend's loans are on properties in the suburbs and several other states, once totalling almost $50 million.)
Top of pageBottom of page

Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed

Post Number: 3057
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 11:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

Rents may be higher or lower than historical averages or the rents in other markets, but I believe classifying them as high or low is not appropriate.



How about rents are low in relation to those of other comparably sized metropolitan areas?
Top of pageBottom of page

Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc

Post Number: 4198
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 11:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

Not to nitpick (although I will anyway), rents in Detroit are not "low." They are what they are...what the market seems to be saying is what they should be (notwithstanding the continuing serious vacancy problem.) Rents may be higher or lower than historical averages or the rents in other markets, but I believe classifying them as high or low is not appropriate.



$25/sf for Class A space is dirt cheap. You can't make any money leasing new construction at those rates, especially when you have to build a 50,000 space parking structure to accompany it.
Top of pageBottom of page

1953
Member
Username: 1953

Post Number: 1565
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 4:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What are we to make of the full page Bank of America add in today's Freep (4A). It has the catchphrase, "Coming Soon: Even More Opportunity," written over an image of the Fox Theater's marquee...then it says we should wait until May 5th...
Top of pageBottom of page

3rdworldcity
Member
Username: 3rdworldcity

Post Number: 1117
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 5:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

D-in-DC: You missed my point completely. Oh well.

You say $25/sf for Class A office space is "dirt cheap." It may be in Manhattan. It's way too high for Detroit.

Listed below are some asking rates for downtown Detroit buildings, several of which are Class A:

525 E. Jefferson $12/sf annually

150 W. Jefferson $14 (may be a typo from the source, but not higher than $18.00)

Historic Globe Building $14.40

Barden Companies (next to DAC) $20 (probably no space available and I don't think he rents to the public.)

One Kennedy Square $23.50 (asking)

Marquette Building $13.00

Dime Building $19.50 (asking; get it for much less if you need a lot of space. The bldg is a financial disaster.)

Penobscot/First National $14-15.50 (very high vacancy)

It seems to me (does it not for you ?), that the asking rates above may be too high, based on the vacancy rates.

The source for the asking prices above is loopnet.com, but you have to be a paid subscriber to access the info. Perhaps there's someone else on the forum who can check out the numbers. (Loopnet is a leading source of national real estate info re: sales, leasing etc.)

It's true that the Comerica Building (formerly, Hines, which went broke)has firms (MI Bell, Det Edison et al) paying $26/sf, but the tenants signed accomodation leases in order to help get financing, those tenants never occupied the building, and early on sublet their space for much, much less.

I notice your reference to a "50,000" space parking structure. Possibly a typo?

Dan, your posts evidence a superficial knowlege of the topics you comment upon, but especially real estate related ones. They're therefor misleading for others on the forum who may, because of your claimed expertise, want to rely on your views for some reason.
Top of pageBottom of page

Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc

Post Number: 4212
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 6:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

It seems to me (does it not for you ?), that the asking rates above may be too high, based on the vacancy rates.



So WHY on earth with anyone having half a brain suggest to build a humongous "signature" tower in downtown Detroit? THAT is the question!
Top of pageBottom of page

3rdworldcity
Member
Username: 3rdworldcity

Post Number: 1118
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 6:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And, it's a good question. What do you think is the answer?
Top of pageBottom of page

Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5980
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 6:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Instead of arguing over irrelevant issues with him, 3rdworld, perhaps you should have taken note of his main point which happens to be my main point. If BofA is building a single-tenant tower for themselves, that's one thing, but building huge amounts of speculative space in hopes of attracting other tenants doesn't seem to be smart, at the moment.
Top of pageBottom of page

3rdworldcity
Member
Username: 3rdworldcity

Post Number: 1119
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 6:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lmichigan: In my opinion, you are correct. In my opinion, BA is never going to build a regional HQ in Detroit. The current HQ in Troy is a unique, modern, efficient and beautiful building. Why leave it?

If BA wanted to build a new HQ anywhere, it would have to be a single occupant building as you state, because as you and Dan conclude, it makes no economic sense at all to build a new rental building and won't for many years in my opinion, if ever.

On the other hand, did anyone consider that the proposed, highly subsidized Quicken HQ be shared as a joint HQ w/ BA? BA is trying, as evidenced by its proposed acquisition of Countrywide, which bought most of Q's loans, to become the largest presence in residential lending over the years, and BA may finance the Q HQ, for example, or be the major or sole tenant in the second bldg Q has to build. Get some naming rights to part of the bldg. (OK, so it's far fetched.)
Top of pageBottom of page

Mrsjdaniels
Member
Username: Mrsjdaniels

Post Number: 836
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:21 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

BofA bought LaSalle
Top of pageBottom of page

Wilus1mj
Member
Username: Wilus1mj

Post Number: 264
Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 10:20 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They're donating 500K to Eastern Market this year.
Top of pageBottom of page

Viziondetroit
Member
Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1668
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 11:02 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I love hearing from the economic development gurus in this forum. If Dyes'ers had their way, downtown would look like the Tokyo with a million high rises and the rest of the city would look like shit. All old buildings would be left standing and renovated with funds from the never ending pot of gold for preservation.
Top of pageBottom of page

Thegryphon
Member
Username: Thegryphon

Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 11:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Question: why does Troy have all those regional banking hqs anyway? EG. the massive National City, Huntington, BoA (old LaSalle) etc.
Tax difference?
Top of pageBottom of page

W_chicago
Member
Username: W_chicago

Post Number: 19
Registered: 01-2008
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 1:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A few new towers would be nice in Detroit, but they would have to be really really nice architecture, as good if not better than the other towers downtown (no monolithic ugly box). But I agree with folks that say we need to fill the existing empty space first, although a lot of it could be filled with lofts, apartments and smaller offices. Also we need to fill up all the empty parking lots downtown. I'd like to see them all get built on first, before thinking about new towers. 8-12 story buildings would be perfect for Downtown. I agree with the "fortress" sentiment in regards to huge towers, and ESPECIALLY the RenCen. Infill and building the street wall are more important the big flashy towers.
Top of pageBottom of page

Fareastsider
Member
Username: Fareastsider

Post Number: 881
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So what was the big news from BOA today that was in that ad last week?
Top of pageBottom of page

Busterwmu
Member
Username: Busterwmu

Post Number: 477
Registered: 09-2004
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I wouldn't mind seeing a Key Bank type tower (Cleveland) on the Hudson's site. Perhaps not of the same scale as Key Tower, but I love the way it fills the Cleveland Skyline and think it's a very aesthetically pleasing building. It would compliment the Madden Building and Comerica Tower in modern skyscraper architecture.

Speaking of Bank of America, has another heard their new radio adds highlighting some elements of Detroit's history. I heard one today on Channel 955. Pretty cool.
Top of pageBottom of page

Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok

Post Number: 6775
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The underground parking structure on the Hudson's site will not support anything taller than about 15-20 floors.
Top of pageBottom of page

Thnk2mch
Member
Username: Thnk2mch

Post Number: 1205
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

So what was the big news from BOA today that was in that ad last week?



They revealed the BOS signs today, replacing the LaSalle signs.
Top of pageBottom of page

Greatlakes
Member
Username: Greatlakes

Post Number: 198
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They certainly are pushing Detroit icons in their new website:

http://lasalle.bankofamerica.c om/michigan/welcome.jsp
Top of pageBottom of page

Rbdetsport
Member
Username: Rbdetsport

Post Number: 492
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 9:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They have got to be planning a regional headquarters move downtown! Everything that they have done for the area has been in Detroit City Limits. I can't wait to hear something.
Top of pageBottom of page

Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 4739
Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 9:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah it's all Detroit imagery on their regional website, and there are multiple videos highlighting business they've already done with Detroit entities like Eastern Market. They seem to really regard Detroit in an interesting way, and I'm waiting patiently for some interesting news.

W_Chicago, I agree with your post. Exclamation points are nice, but we really need to fill things in. A rehab of the Broderick, Book, and Stott Towers should really be counted as exclamation points just as much as the creation of new buildings.
Top of pageBottom of page

Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise

Post Number: 2052
Registered: 09-2007
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 9:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm sure it's also a marketing ploy too. B of A is known for their CBD/downtown presence, and it would be a good idea if they advertised as if they had a presence in downtown Detroit.
Top of pageBottom of page

Beatsworking
Member
Username: Beatsworking

Post Number: 115
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Did anyone see the ad in today's Free Press? It was a 2 page, color spread featuring the Joe Louis fist. It was pretty sweet.
Top of pageBottom of page

Daytwa
Member
Username: Daytwa

Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 11:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There were BOA reps walking around the CBD today handing out little marketing freebies. I got a BOA stressball that looks like a baseball.
Top of pageBottom of page

Dougw
Member
Username: Dougw

Post Number: 2098
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 11:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

He recently was notified that BA will not renew any of its $3.5 billion in commercial (incl RE) loans when they mature. The scamble is on, believe me. I can think of nothing more disastrous to the regional economy that that.


Just curious about what you mean by not renewing loans? Are the terms of the loans becoming more strict? It is true that lenders are tightening up lending standards right now (as they well should be).

I noticed some of the local La Salle branches have just switched over to BofA. I've had my checking account with Michigan National -> Standard Federal -> La Salle -> Bank of America for a while now. BofA seems like a relatively well run lender. Well, except for their recent offer to buy Countrywide... hopefully they will come to their senses and walk away from that disaster.

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.