Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander
Post Number: 1439 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.42.168.234
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 5:40 pm: | |
On my drive home from work today I noticed that they were hanging a sign on the Detroit building on Park across the street from the Centaur Bar. The sign said that the building was going to be restored it looks like BC Beal will be on the team restoring it. I didn’t see who else was involved but the sign looks just like the one on the Broderick Towers. |
Boshna Member Username: Boshna
Post Number: 112 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 141.213.217.188
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 5:41 pm: | |
I wonder how much it costs the city to rent a JC Beal sign for a month. (Message edited by boshna on January 09, 2006) |
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2258 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 5:52 pm: | |
lol BOshna yeah it does kinda make ya wonder... |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2976 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 5:55 pm: | |
And this is just after the rumor Ndavies heard that Illitch was planning on taking down at least 4 of his properties... How much does it cost to rent a J.C. Beal Superbowl sign, indeed. |
Rokk_krinn Member Username: Rokk_krinn
Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.249.60.2
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:07 pm: | |
I remember reading on the detroitblog what a shambles the upper floors of this building are in. I had written it off as an eventual tear down, but I would love to see it saved. I think this building is great looking - the cornice, small footprint, and arched windows give it a unique look. Anyone else have news on this? Is this all hype? Should we expect similar signs on the GAR, Hotel Vermont, and Blenheim? |
Bobj Member Username: Bobj
Post Number: 336 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.221.183.120
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:08 pm: | |
JC Beal is going to be very busy if all this really comes true!! Although the sign rental revenue stream may be more profitable! |
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2260 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:11 pm: | |
Yeah look at what whoever owned the scaffolding that sat on the Wayne County bldg for 5+ years made off with... |
Bobj Member Username: Bobj
Post Number: 339 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.221.183.120
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:14 pm: | |
I want one for my house to impress my neighbors. |
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 644 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 4.229.51.211
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:41 pm: | |
Theres already a foofoo sign on Broderick... |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 353 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 70.236.178.13
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:45 pm: | |
Well, Ilitch said an announcement regarding possible development early 2006. This could actually happen I suppose. However, JC Beal sure does seem to have lots of signage around town, but not much progress. If any of Ilitch's properties would be renovated now, this would have been my guess, still in his Foxtown near new thriving businesses... |
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu
Post Number: 186 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 24.247.221.241
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 7:05 pm: | |
Who will be the first to post a photo for those of us not able to get to down town? |
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander
Post Number: 1440 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.42.168.234
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 7:07 pm: | |
JC Beal is working on the red building on the corner of GR and Woodward. JC is also currently working on the research lofts so JC Beal actually does construction work. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2977 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 7:11 pm: | |
Yeah, they do do construction, that much is a given. The question is, how much can they do? They aren't a huge company/firm. |
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander
Post Number: 1441 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.42.168.234
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 7:19 pm: | |
Lmich, it takes time to process all the tax credits that these projects receive that is why projects get announced then normally don't get started for up to a year. JC Beal is big enough to handle multiple projects at one time. |
Eric Member Username: Eric
Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 35.11.158.84
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 8:16 pm: | |
Beal is also working on Como's new Woodward location. I just hope this isn't some ploy by the Ilitches to deflected in any critism about their slumlording that might arise during the SB |
Aaron Member Username: Aaron
Post Number: 102 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 69.241.224.171
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 8:49 pm: | |
I'll believe it when it comes straight from the mouth of Danny's Street Prophets. |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 448 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 69.246.5.196
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 9:47 pm: | |
This link (Courtesy of Allan from Urbanplanet.org) shows indoor pictures of the Detroit building. http://flickr.com/photos/tedgu y49/sets/1331674/ The following link discusses the credibility of all the JC Beal signs that are popping up all around downtown ... kinda
quote:The company is going to be based in Detroit because we see that there's going to be a tremendous amount of work in the historic downtown buildings there in the coming years,'' said Stewart Beal. "We see it as a growing market
http://www.mlive.com/business/ aanews/index.ssf?/base/busines s-4/1136389239282770.xml&coll= 2 |
Royce Member Username: Royce
Post Number: 1398 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.215.247.64
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 10:22 pm: | |
A 22 year-old heading a company like this. Sounds like small potatoes. Can they handle all of the work now being thrown at them? What's this grandson's tract record? Maybe I'm jealous, but 22 seems a little young to be in charge of this end of the business, unless it's small potatoes. What's the skinny? |
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal
Post Number: 525 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 69.14.76.187
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 10:29 pm: | |
Tetsua (or anyone else), Just read both articles. Can someone explain a few things to me. 1. This Stewart guy is 22, I hate to jump to conclusions, but does he have a reputation or is he just put in charge because his family owns the company? 22 seems young to be in charge of anything. Then again, not everyone was a moron at 22 like I was. 2. When I hear demolition, I tend to think of knocking down a building. I would immediately think that this company specializes in tearing down buildings. But the article leads me to believe that there is "Interior Demolition" which I assume would be knocking down walls and removing asbestos? Sharmaal - Humbly awaiting the tuteledge of architecture and design gurus. |
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear
Post Number: 112 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 70.233.6.246
| Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 10:43 pm: | |
Sharmaal, interior demolition is pretty routine in restorations, particularly where the plasterwork is shot or where you need to move a wall. They did a lot of that at the Opera House. On a building that has been empty for 40 years, there's a lot to be done. |
Chow Member Username: Chow
Post Number: 232 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.171.71
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:00 am: | |
Speaking of Illitch properties, the UA has got some new fencing. |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 449 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 69.246.5.196
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:08 am: | |
Sharmaal, I don't know anything about the guy, but based on his quote he seems enthusiastic about the historic structures in the city. Sometimes enthusiasm is enough if you've got a marginal amount of sense. And again, he could be well qualified to run a business |
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander
Post Number: 1442 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.164.127
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 8:50 am: | |
Is it possible the the demo loans Ndavies said Illitch applied for will be used for interior demo which would get the building ready for restoration? Can these loans be used for restoration projects? |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1264 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 208.44.117.10
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:04 am: | |
I am not speaking towards the veracity of the JC Beal signs popping up everywhere, but to the age of the person running the business. David Farbman took over the Farbman's development business when he was in his mid-20's. He and his brother (whom I believe is 2 years younger) have done an incredible amount of work over the last decade. I am not saying that it is desirous to have such a young person at the helm of a business, just that it does happen, it has happened, and it can be successful. |
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve
Post Number: 2614 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 136.181.195.17
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:13 am: | |
There are no loans to speak of. The state legislature passed a law last spring that allocated $8 million for building demolition within certain boundaries. Without searching through my email, I believe the official boundaries were the DDA's, but the working boundaries was within a several block radius of Ford Field. |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 3635 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 141.217.174.237
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 2:43 pm: | |
I wonder what happen to the Detroit Life Insurance Company? |
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1284 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 3:22 pm: | |
JC Beal was already a well-established developer/construction company in Ann Arbor before they started getting involved in the Detroit market. One of the most reputable, as a matter of fact - their name on a project was always a sign that it was a quality project. There was an article a a year or so ago in one of the Ann Arbor publications (Observer, or the business-to-business news) about how they were branching out into the Detroit market and restoration projects there. They have expanded appropriately to handle the additional work. Please note in the article where it says the 22 year old son was in charge of the INTERIOR DEMOLITION company, not the entire Detroit construction component. The Beal name on a project does mean quality work will be done - I guess now the trick is to know which Beal company is doing the work. |
Skulker Member Username: Skulker
Post Number: 3360 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.103.104.93
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 5:48 pm: | |
quote:"The company is going to be based in Detroit because we see that there's going to be a tremendous amount of work in the historic downtown buildings there in the coming years,'' said Stewart Beal. "We see it as a growing market.''
Playing devils advocate, it also doesn't hurt for an Ann Arbor based construction company to form a Detroit based subsidiary that is contracted to get the demolition work for projects utilizing public subsidy. Most City approved public subsidies like NEZ and other abatements or loans require that developers meet the goals of Executive Order 2003-4 which requires 30% of contract dollars be awarded to Detroit Based / Headquarted companies. By seperating out the demo portion of the contract dollars to a newly created subsidiary that is Detroit based, JC Beal will now be able to do more work themselves through the subsidiary with out sub-contracting to other Detroit based or HQ firms and sharing contract dollars. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1283 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 208.44.117.10
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 5:53 pm: | |
quote:By seperating out the demo portion of the contract dollars to a newly created subsidiary that is Detroit based, JC Beal will now be able to do more work themselves through the subsidiary with out sub-contracting to other Detroit based or HQ firms and sharing contract dollars
...and if they don't pistol whip people the sky is the limit for this demoloition company. |
Psip
Member Username: Psip
Post Number: 821 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 7:32 pm: | |
Gee, with all the construction works coming downtown from Ann Arbor, maybe they could build a HIGH SPEED RAIL while they are at it? |
Caseyc Member Username: Caseyc
Post Number: 573 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 206.18.111.5
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 7:53 pm: | |
Let us not forget that Fred Beal and Co. were the ones who were eager to re-do the Mad-Len....of course, they couldn't get the Ilitch family to return their calls. Landscaped parking lot-atcha. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2986 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 9:17 pm: | |
Landscapped? We wish, don't we? |
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve
Post Number: 2616 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.215.243.150
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 9:17 am: | |
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060111/NEW S01/601110357/1003/NEWS "It appears the Ilitch clan is moving ahead on developing some of the downtown property it owns. Details were not available Tuesday, but look for an announcement soon." |
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field
Post Number: 458 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:22 pm: | |
I will be shocked if the UA building is rehabbed. |
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1292 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:37 pm: | |
"... a self-proclaimed world-class region." I love it! |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 451 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 69.246.5.196
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 4:36 pm: | |
Just notice that the UA building now has a huge ass sign that practically covers the entire north side. It's advertising a 5 acres of historical development (Can't remember exactly what it says). I did however take down the phone number (Olymipia development 313 983 6200). |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6392 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 4:51 pm: | |
Olympia development - what an oxymoron. |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 452 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 69.246.5.196
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 4:51 pm: | |
Turns out someone on Urbanpanet took a picture already. What "5 acres" are they talking about? Scroll close to the bottom for the visual http://www.urbanplanet.org/for ums/index.php?s=ed0da20d32148c 1d4f98b4824d39461d&showtopic=2 0125&st=15 |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 700 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.18.91
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 5:26 pm: | |
In case anybody has trouble reading the sign at the link Tetsua posted, I brightened it up a bit in PS for you.
|
Dnvn522 Member Username: Dnvn522
Post Number: 83 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 204.24.64.25
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 5:46 pm: | |
quote:What "5 acres" are they talking about?
Good question. That block is only approx. 2.2 acres. |
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1297 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 5:49 pm: | |
Are you counting the miles and miles of parking up and behind Park Ave? |
The_aram Member Username: The_aram
Post Number: 4636 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 141.213.175.233
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 7:12 pm: | |
here's an article about Stewart Beal. http://easternecho.com/cgi-bin /story.cgi?1716 |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 1737 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 207.69.137.38
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 7:25 pm: | |
Maybe the 5.5 acres includes the block west of the Tuller/UA block, from Clifford to Cass, and Adams (on the north) to Middle St. That's the empty block with only the Cass-Adams Building on its' southwest corner (6 story MotorCity Casino training building). |
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear
Post Number: 114 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 192.217.12.254
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 8:56 pm: | |
Why doesn't someone who knows the right development questions simply call the number and ask? You don't have to speculate. |
Bussey Member Username: Bussey
Post Number: 130 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 69.212.231.231
| Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | |
good answer good answer let me see.... "call the number and ask" _____ |\ /| | \/ | | /\ | |/ \| ------ |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1101 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 9:06 am: | |
Or stayed tuned for the Ilitch press conference this morning at 10:30, as reported this morning by WDIV News? |
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 773 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 204.39.225.236
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 10:47 am: | |
quote:Another bright spot: People downtown are saying Ilitch and company may restore the vertical sign on the front of their Fox Theatre headquarters, which they renovated in the late 1980s. In the old days, that sign spelled out F-O-X in huge letters.
I was confused by this blurb in the freep article that ham_steve posted. Doesn't it still spell out FOX in big letters? It seemed to be working yesterday when I got drove by. What he hell is the freep talking about? |
Rust Member Username: Rust
Post Number: 69 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:04 am: | |
Gumby, I am not sure but there is a tower on the top of the Fox Theatre that use to have spelled out F-O-X. The tower is still there but the letters have been removed. You can see the tower in this photo: I will try to find a historic photo detailing how the tower looked when it was lit up with the FOX letters. |
1953 Member Username: 1953
Post Number: 661 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 209.104.146.146
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:13 am: | |
The sign on the front of the building used to be slightly different from the one that is their now. That's all this means. |
Rust Member Username: Rust
Post Number: 70 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 12:15 pm: | |
Gumby, Here is a historic picture that shows what the tower on top of the Fox used display:
|
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 774 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 141.216.1.4
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 2:33 pm: | |
Oh sweet. That is pretty cool. thanks Rust. |
Rust Member Username: Rust
Post Number: 72 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 2:56 pm: | |
Your welcome! |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1308 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 208.44.117.10
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 3:08 pm: | |
Rust -- do you ever sleep? |
Rust Member Username: Rust
Post Number: 73 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 3:48 pm: | |
Dabirch, Why do you ask? |
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris
Post Number: 120 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 3:59 pm: | |
Rust, Methinks it's a Neil Young Joke. |
Eric Member Username: Eric
Post Number: 288 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 35.11.158.84
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:21 pm: | |
There's even a website http://www.thedetroitlifebuild ing.com/ |
Gumby Member Username: Gumby
Post Number: 777 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 141.216.1.4
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:24 pm: | |
I love how the final picture on the website convieniently leaves out the store fronts. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1310 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 208.44.117.10
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:27 pm: | |
Thanks Wmu... |
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 584 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.21.62.206
| Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:28 pm: | |
The floor plans on the site look as if they were drawn by Ilitch on a cocktail napkin. I can just see it now: Web Designer: "Mr. I, we should have floorplans on the site." Ilitch: "Floor plans?! Fuck 'um. Here...put this on there." (Message edited by Eric C. on January 12, 2006) |
Dnvn522 Member Username: Dnvn522
Post Number: 84 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 204.24.64.25
| Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:14 pm: | |
quote:Or stayed tuned for the Ilitch press conference this morning at 10:30, as reported this morning by WDIV News
Was there anything to this? |
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine
Post Number: 758 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18
| Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:23 pm: | |
yes, your answers can be found in a thread entitled "Illitch Press Confrence" whodda thunk it?! (Message edited by gravitymachine on January 13, 2006) |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6429 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24
| Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:24 pm: | |
There is an Ilitch Press conference thread below. 3 things: Restoring this adding Fox letters on top of building looking to accept bids for development. |
Dnvn522 Member Username: Dnvn522
Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 204.24.64.25
| Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:49 pm: | |
Sorry, reading from the bottom. D'oh. |
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear
Post Number: 128 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.79.96.11
| Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 11:41 pm: | |
Has anyone any further info on the building? Maybe some simple info such as: are they selling or developing it themselves? |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 727 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.25.20
| Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 11:52 pm: | |
I think I remember them saying that they'd move their offices to the building. Not sure exactly what offices were mentioned. I found this photo it WSU/VMC, they had it reversed. (Message edited by Hornwrecker on January 17, 2006) |
623kraw
Member Username: 623kraw
Post Number: 743 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200
| Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 6:22 am: | |
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