Izzyindetroit Member Username: Izzyindetroit
Post Number: 175 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 10:56 am: | |
My roommate came home from school yesterday saying that there were many rumors going around Wayne State that the Forest Arms Apartments had been purchased and that they will be renovating them soon. Unfortunately that is all the information I could get out of him. Any validity to these rumors? (Message edited by izzyindetroit on February 12, 2009) |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3498 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 11:04 am: | |
More like knocking them down and starting over I bet |
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar
Post Number: 1423 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 11:05 am: | |
I will shit a brick if this is true. Im hoping that brick comes, I just dont see it happening... |
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 58 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 11:17 am: | |
The rumor I heard is that they are going to preserve the facade and rebuild, but tear down the interior structure. I have nothing to back that up though, just a rumor. |
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine
Post Number: 1709 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 11:21 am: | |
i think these rebuild/renovation rumors have been floating around since just a month or two after the fire. if that is actually a plan in the works, i'd be willing to bet the credit crisis probably hasn't helped it along |
Bobl Member Username: Bobl
Post Number: 492 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 12:04 pm: | |
Lived there, many decades ago. A South End article recently had a 9 million dollar estimate for renovation costs. It was a nice building. Sad to see it sit, broken, more than a year after the fire. |
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 709 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 12:17 pm: | |
It'll happen. No one would let this gem fall to the ground. It may have to sit vacant for a while, and weather this economic crisis, but word on the street is that there are many parties eager to rehab this building because of its historic integrity, proximity to campus, and active location. Gutting, saving the facade, and rebuilding the insides seems the best option at this point. |
Birdie Member Username: Birdie
Post Number: 89 Registered: 04-2007
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 2:42 pm: | |
i heard today that a prominent local business-owner is buying it to renovate... does anyone have more info? yes!!! |
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn
Post Number: 1074 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:58 pm: | |
I do, but am not at liberty to say. This is really really good. |
Gdub Member Username: Gdub
Post Number: 265 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 12:40 am: | |
That location is too prime. Someone will step up with funds. Units won't be as cheap as they were, but people are paying relatively high dollar next door at the ABC for rundown apartments. New ones will capture the small niche market of students with larger housing budgets. This is a good opportunity for someone with capital and some determination. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1699 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 3:16 pm: | |
I got confirmation that WSU overpaid for the building to spare it from demolition and will be restoring it from the bottom up. Source cannot be revealed, but it was a preservation official whom I trust. This is great news. I was worried with the talk of the demo but saving the facade. Then again, we'll see what happens once they get in there and see if it can be saved after a year and a half of rain and snow - and the fire, of course. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1701 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 3:22 pm: | |
By the way, I also was told to look for a roof to be put on it once the snow goes bye-bye. |
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker
Post Number: 659 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 4:05 pm: | |
Ohh you are completely correct about ABC being run down i lived there for 2 years |
Blueidone Member Username: Blueidone
Post Number: 481 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 4:26 pm: | |
Rhymeswithrawk: One of the companies I work for put the new windows in Forest Arms about a year before the fire. We would like to know who to contact regarding replacement when they decide to rebuild it. If you have a contact person, would you please e-mail me at corneroffice2 at aol dot com. Thanks! |
Eastdetroit224 Member Username: Eastdetroit224
Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 7:31 pm: | |
I toured the building today with the new owner, I can tell you one thing, what was paid for the building was not over priced at all. This building is a gem. I would say that it is the most sound building I have ever seen, even in the condition it is in. The place will surely be a gem in the heart of Detroit |
Tkshreve Member Username: Tkshreve
Post Number: 749 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 7:37 pm: | |
Did they ever get the cat out of there? |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1719 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 7:40 pm: | |
Great to hear, Eastdetroit! Blueidone: Contact WSU student housing. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1720 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 7:43 pm: | |
http://detroitmidtown.com/05/d evelop_projects_medical.php?ms ub=5 UCCA, not WSU, sorry. "Forest Art Complex George N'Namdi is renovating two historic buildings on Forest for galleries, a bookstore and cafe. The estimated cost of the project is $2 million." |
Korridorkid Member Username: Korridorkid
Post Number: 110 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 7:56 pm: | |
Perhaps I missed something? Will the Forest Art Complex have anything to do with the Forest Arms Apts? |
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle
Post Number: 513 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 8:05 pm: | |
I didn't believe it did. The Forest Art Complex I believ will be near the DMC. N'Namdi helped get the Garfield renovated and tought that he had sort of "staked his claim" to that small area near MOCAD some time ago. A good friend's grandmother's friend's son.. ( this isn't a joke) owned Forest Arms. last I had heard, last summer, he was battling the insurance company who claimed that arson couldn't be proven and was trying to sell the building in the mean time. Perhaps I'll dig a little in the coming weeks to see if I can figure out who the building was sold to. |
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle
Post Number: 514 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 10:01 am: | |
ModelD Forest Arms Apartments to get new lease on life: Developer buys Midtown property http://www.modeldmedia.com/dev elopmentnews/forestarms17909.a spx |
Bobl Member Username: Bobl
Post Number: 505 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 12:16 pm: | |
I wish Scott Lowell and Detroit Investment Fund well. I love that building. Lived there late 60s, and worked as a maintenance person briefly. At that time, there were several tenants on the upper floor who had lived there for years, even decades. |
Atwater Member Username: Atwater
Post Number: 381 Registered: 09-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 1:31 pm: | |
"The building will receive a new roof, an improved facade and solar hot water panels." An improved facade? What's that mean? |
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj
Post Number: 787 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 1:41 pm: | |
I think it is pretty obvious what they mean. |
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine
Post Number: 1717 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 1:45 pm: | |
looks like the rumors from way back when held up after all. good news. I'm not bitching here, i realize it takes enormous effort to get through the red tape and secure funding on this stuff, but its too bad construction can't start tomorrow |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 4486 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 2:08 pm: | |
Good! Please fix the Forest Arms Apts. Student Housing is in high demand! |
Bshea Member Username: Bshea
Post Number: 16 Registered: 01-2009
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 4:39 pm: | |
If you're a Crain's subscriber, the full story from Monday: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/a rticle/20090215/SUB01/30215995 4/1069 |
Apbest Member Username: Apbest
Post Number: 661 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 4:44 pm: | |
could you copy and paste some text of the article for those of us who arent subscribers? |
Bobl Member Username: Bobl
Post Number: 512 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 6:41 pm: | |
From Model D: Detroit Development News February 17, 2009 Forest Arms Apartments to get new lease on life: Developer buys Midtown property After a tragic fire decimated the Forest Arms Apartments last year, one could be forgiven for assuming that its future held nothing but a wrecking ball. Luckily, Midtown developer Scott Lowell has purchased the building and plans to completely rehab it. The five-story building, located at Second and Forest, has 74 small residential units, all one-bedrooms and studios. "There's a market for that," says Lowell. He should know, as he has already tackled the Blackstone Apartments and is wrapping up work on the Beethoven, which should see tenants this spring. Lowell is partnering with the University Cultural Center Association and Corey Leon on the project. He says an "optimistic" estimate on construction is two years. The building will receive a new roof, an improved facade and solar hot water panels. The two walk-down spaces that previously housed Peoples Records and Amsterdam Espresso will remain commercial. The Detroit Investment Fund is involved in the project, and historic and brownfield tax credits will be pursued. Source: Scott Lowell and architect Mike McClear Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh |
Russix Member Username: Russix
Post Number: 190 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 12:43 pm: | |
A large security gate and fence have gone up in the front of the property. I'm assuming from the way this gate is position that the front yard wall is going to be removed to bring in construction equipment. Should this new roof have been put on a year ago? I'm also a little confused that in the wake of Ilitch clear cutting perfectly sound buildings from the urban fabric that this building is being restored(not that I don't want it saved, it just seems like the left hand is doing something totally opposite from the right hand). |
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 742 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 12:45 pm: | |
If you know Scott Lowell, you'll realize he's a helluva lot different than Mike Illitch. |
Russix Member Username: Russix
Post Number: 192 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 12:56 pm: | |
I'm gonna have to read up on Scott Lowell, the bad are grossly over publized. |