  Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 36 Registered: 06-2007 |
I drove by today and saw a crane hoisting things up to the roof of what looked like the United Artists building. Anyone know what they are doing? | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1175 Registered: 10-2006 |
I just picked up on that too in this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/b ohemianrobot/602038244/ | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1489 Registered: 11-2003 |
Illich preparing for demolition of another Detroit jewel? | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1176 Registered: 10-2006 |
Possibly, but why then would you need a crane to hoist things onto the roof? Just implode it. | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1179 Registered: 12-2006 |
I was down there earlier as well. I asked the person who was blocking off Clifford what they were doing and he said they were lifting equipment to the top of the UA. By the looks of it, they are cleaning out the building. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 337 Registered: 08-2004 |
I saw it too, are they securing the facade? | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1177 Registered: 10-2006 |
"cleaning out the building" OR clearing out the building a.k.a. "gutting it"? | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1180 Registered: 12-2006 |
Heck, they didn't say they were demolishing it. But gutting it sounds about right. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1490 Registered: 11-2003 |
Maybe they are getting rid of the theater portion and keeping the office building portion. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 714 Registered: 10-2003 |
Glad something's happening to it. Even if they tear it down. Winds of change are blowing, sacrifices will be made. Fine with me. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1179 Registered: 10-2006 |
Interesting thing is, you rarely hear anything about how spectacular the office portion was (or maybe still is). Much more often when people talk about United Artists it is focused on the theatre portion. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1180 Registered: 10-2006 |
sacrifices!!! The building across the street was sacrificed. How many more sacrifices to please the gods of development????? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 715 Registered: 10-2003 |
But they've been sitting there rotting forever! So many good things have been going on downtown finally, and some of it involves demolition. I love these old buildings and the architecture, but I've been admiring them as carcasses for too long. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1491 Registered: 11-2003 |
Quicken Loans related? | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1181 Registered: 12-2006 |
That's what I was wondering. | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1047 Registered: 11-2003 |
Anything lifted *to* the roof is likely part of a mechanism and support structure to ease the cleanout/gutting (buckhoist, chute, etc.) Or maybe the crane is lifting materials to repair holes in the roof. Junk and hazardous things taken *out* of the building would be put into a dumpster on the ground, not lifted to the roof. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 871 Registered: 11-2004 |
Remember not too long ago it was reported crews for JC Beal's demoltion company where seen there. But they only do interior demolition not entire buildings. Anyone know what company these people are from? quote: It's not like Hudson's where building is impossibly huge. Or the Statler where there were questions if it was damaged beyond repair. The UA's office portion is in pretty good condition there's no reason why it can't be reused. Who could've forseen the Book-Cadillac five years ago? Don't be so quick to give up when the building finally has a fighting chance to be reused (Message edited by eric on June 23, 2007) (Message edited by eric on June 23, 2007) | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 428 Registered: 04-2006 |
in the AIA book on Detroit architecture (American Institute of Architects) they say in the introduction, and I agree with them... that Detroit's real asset as it looks to reviatlize itself (maybe ONLY aside from the water frontage?) is its turn of the century / 1920s architectural stock... the book says it is the "3rd best in the nation" (it may have even said world...) I would assume 3rd after New York and Chicago... The thing is guys... since this was written (2004?) we've lost the statler and madison lennox... and of course, before it was written we lost the Hudsons building... WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANYMORE GEMS... they are what make us a beautiful city. tear them down and build some cheap crap and what are we? Arizona? Tigers Stadium and the basically guaranteed loss of MCS is enough. NO MORE. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 719 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't want to give the wrong impression, I prefer renovation to demolition. But I prefer demolition to letting the building sit there rotting and adding to blight for even more decades to come. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4649 Registered: 08-2004 |
Charlottepaul, that's because the office portion of the building had much of its' exterior embellishments removed decades ago. Especially the first 3 floors (Corinthian columns and Romanesque arches were all removed).  But the theatre was not remodeled, and still has its Spanish Gothic/Art Deco look, albeit in a deteriorated state. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4650 Registered: 08-2004 |
Gotta love double meaning thread titles. At first it sounded like the architect (C. Howard Crane) was at the United Artists Building. But they'd have to dig him up in London England first, where he's been buried for the last 55 years. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 1929 Registered: 04-2005 |
Exactly what I thought when I saw that headline Gistok. The question is, what are the putting up there? or removing.. Maybe AC units,, high tech scrappers? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 6096 Registered: 02-2004 |
Illich will not demo the building. He will keep it an "PREMIER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY". That gentrification talk for a new loft, condos and retail building. The U.A. Building is here to stay. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4655 Registered: 08-2004 |
Danny, most of us aren't that optimistic, but I hope you are right! | ||
Emu_steve Member Username: Emu_steve Post Number: 354 Registered: 11-2006 |
Let me toss a curve ball here. Will all of the new river front condos reduce the possible future demand for lofts such at possible development projects as U.A.? What I'm getting at does prospective buyer X now choose between say a river front condo, a CBD loft, a mid-town loft, etc. Maybe there will be more units available then buyers and it would slow development in the CBD? (and makes Danny's thought not realistic?) (Message edited by emu_steve on June 24, 2007) | ||
Atperry Member Username: Atperry Post Number: 257 Registered: 12-2004 |
From what we've seen, the developments on the river are skipping a large chunk of the downtown market. That is, they seem to be starting at the top, starting at $300k and up. It also does not appear that there will be all many rental units I think there is still significant demand in downtown and midtown for the 130 - 280 range. Also, downtown still does not have that many quality options for those who want to rent | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1188 Registered: 10-2006 |
The demand is there until we hear of a new condo conversion project that doesn't nearly sell out on its opening day for deposits. | ||
Atperry Member Username: Atperry Post Number: 258 Registered: 12-2004 |
I mean, the Detroit Investment fund market study suggested that the downtown alone (between the freeways) has a demand of 1700 units. I am going to assume that the study is pretty accurate, since the developers and bankers who will rely on it tend not to be easily fooled. If it is true, that's a whole lot of units. Theoretically you could redo the Broderick, UA, EVERY building on lower Woodward, the Book Tower, The Free Press Building, and you would still have a couple of hundred units to spare | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 3078 Registered: 02-2005 |
Atperry, I agree...more rental apartments, too. Not everything has to be an over-the-top luxury loft rehab with unneccesarily fancy materials. You need more than geriatrics, yuppies, and well-heeled hipsters. If you're aiming for the "creative class," or just young people in general, you need cheaper places and places that allow a person to get up and move, therefore, more rentals. There are a lot of "creative" people we want downtown who aren't making bank. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1492 Registered: 11-2003 |
Speaking of Broderick, is that project still a go? I would imagine a project like that would take a while to get all the financing in place (ala Book Cadillac). | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 569 Registered: 03-2006 |
last I heard they were re-doing the finances due to changing their strategy from apartments. Now they are going to offer the development as for-sale condo's, apparently with construction starting hopefully in early 08 | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1241 Registered: 01-2004 |
Has there been any activity at the UA today? | ||
Billk Member Username: Billk Post Number: 23 Registered: 09-2005 |
There are trucks and cars there most every day. | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1417 Registered: 10-2003 |
So will the Broderick still be taking advantage of the historic tax credits? It would be stupid of them not to take advantage of the credits, though the buyers would have to wait 5 years. How will the change affect the layouts? | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 322 Registered: 06-2005 |
Anyone ever figure out what their doing with the UA? Demo? Restoration? gutting? (man I hope they save it - I will make a trip back up just to go see this one if its restored)! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9452 Registered: 10-2003 |
I doubt believe anything is really known. Just a lot of speculation. My gut tells me that once something is announced, regardless of the announcement this thread will get pretty ridiculous with over optimistic posts or a lot of posts about how much Ilitch sucks. | ||
Digitaldom Member Username: Digitaldom Post Number: 633 Registered: 08-2004 |
well I canary I talked to said that the illiches are up to a huge rehab project.. could this be it? I saw the same thing when I was a sheppard on the downtown tour.. Putting equipment onto the roof can only mean they are going to repair.. How killer would that be.. another downtown theatre! Can the market support it? | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 352 Registered: 11-2003 |
nope. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5715 Registered: 10-2003 |
Are we talking the roof of the theatre or office tower? I was under the impression we're talking the tower, and if that is the case, it is quite a leap to assume that that necessarily means renovation of the theatre, as well. In fact, I find it far more likely they'll tear the theatre down, or reconstruct it as some other usage. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4675 Registered: 08-2004 |
True, the condition of the building is in better shape than the condition of the theatre. From an artistic view, the theatre would be a greater loss. But from a development view, the building would be a greater loss. We'll have to wait and see... keeping my fingers crossed for both!! With holes in the roof of the auditorium, I'm surprised that a lot of the plasterwork is still relatively intact!  (Message edited by Gistok on June 27, 2007) | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 736 Registered: 01-2005 |
I asked a friend to check for a City Permit the next time he was downtown, which is required to be posted at every construction site. There wasn't one. He questioned a couple of the workers who would not disclose who they worked for or what was going on inside. They said they "didn't know." One p/up truck had the name of the company duct taped over. He said there was one p/up truck w/ the logo "Spider" on the door. Anyone ever heard of that company? I asked a builder friend to check out permits at the Dept of Building and Safety Engineering a couple of days ago. He did and claimed that no permits (Building Permit, Demolition Permit or any other kind of permit) have been issued. [The work has been ongoing for several weeks now.] He said the only thing of record are some old building violation notices and a sign violation notice, apparently relating to the banner advertising the building about floors up; he did not look to see if it was still there. He said the lady working for the Dept. was very polite and helpful and seemed surprised that there is work going on that's not permitted. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1713 Registered: 05-2005 |
do scrappers have cranes these days? | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1421 Registered: 12-2004 |
Something is going on and forumers will solve it! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4678 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks for checking 3WC.... the plot thickens... | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 738 Registered: 01-2005 |
I mentioned that a friend who checked out the site saw a "Spider" p/up truck parked there. I had someone check it out and it appears that Spider is a national company based in Seattle w/ a Detroit area office. Spider makes all kinds of construction safety equipment and such things as "swing stages," those platforms that are suspended on the outside of buildings for inspections, window washing and so forth. It also provides swing stage services to the construction industry. It's a highly regarded company. They could be @ the UA for any number of reasons. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1494 Registered: 11-2003 |
It is entirely possible that the permits are pulled, but they are keeping it quiet for whatever reason. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4681 Registered: 08-2004 |
And since folks at the scene aren't talking... it looks like whatever is going on there is being purposefully being kept hush-hush from the public... the workers at the building, at city hall, the news media, and those of us who-need-to-know!  | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1492 Registered: 06-2006 |
I don't know...all these conspiracy theories swirling around the rehab of an old building? I don't think there is enough public interest in these types of projects to warrant that kind of secrecy (i.e., contractors duct taping over their logos)sure, it's a big deal to all of us here, but we're a small group...most people read little blurbs in the paper about this stuff, look at it once, say, "isn't that nice" and move on and go about their business... | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1204 Registered: 10-2006 |
So Thejesus, it sounds like they are trying ot keep it secret from the DetroitYES! forumers... | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 740 Registered: 01-2005 |
Bob: A Permit is a public record and the law is that once pulled it is a violation not to post it in plain view at the work site. It is highly unlikely that permits have been applied for or issued. Even for Ilitch, I don't think the Bldg and Safety Engineering Dept would participate in a clearly illegal act. Permits are to be issued for a purpose; the City reviews an application and imposes necessary or advisable restrictions, conditions etc. A substantial fee must be paid. The fact is they are working w/o a permit. (I presume the nature and extent of the work requires a permit.) If so, they're in violation of the law and are depriving the City of needed revenue. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 875 Registered: 11-2004 |
It not just us, this site has broken it's fair share of news stories. Just a couple weeks ago DY thanks to Verifiable showed a possible Ilitch connection with the Moose Lodge, of course, a few days later there was story in the News. You can bet they know there are a lot of eyes on them and they want to leave as few footprint as possible. It's not necessarily they're trying to hide something bad, but they don't their dealings broadcast before they're ready say something. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1496 Registered: 11-2003 |
Then the million dollar question is, SINCE they do not have any permits pulled what could they be doing with the equipment they have used that does not require a permit? | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1210 Registered: 10-2006 |
More elementary question: what type of work does require a permit? | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 536 Registered: 07-2006 |
Have they started any actual work, or are they just putting supplies in place, possibly in anticipation of a permit (and presumably an announcement)? With all the failed renovation proposals of various buildings over the years, announcing something and immediately having work begin could be a smart PR move. Getting materials in place would allow that. | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 696 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bug Bunny Cartoon: Maverick: Get that crane and lower me down some dynamite! Oil Tycoon: I'm gonna blow that rabbit to the outskirts of Dallas! | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 876 Registered: 11-2004 |
If this is for demolition they also may want material on site so they can move quickly and limit any public outcry. I don't belive the UA is protected Historic District Commission so they could demolish anytime they like, but without the months of controversy leading to actual work. |
