  Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge Post Number: 558 Registered: 08-2006 |
quote: That's the biggest bunch of bull I've ever heard. Who says we shouldn't take big steps to bring uniqueness and improvements to our city? Who says there needs to be an established "architectural language" before we can build something like this? Has Detroit EVER had an "architectural language"? It's always been a compendium of contrasting designs. There have been trends (deco towers and theaters) and there have been big steps (Lafayette Park and the RenCen). Who are you to say that this can't be done? Does every piece of architecture have to have something similar around it to work? Of course not. We cannot hold back because of some architectural tradition that has long since collapsed. If Detroit wants to stand out as a city that has turned itself around after one of the biggest civic disasters in America's history, it needs skip the crawling, skip the walking, and jump right into the 100m dash. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2193 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Otherwise it will stick out as a isolated no context whatsoever structure. That could even work, but not for a location as prime and as important as that one for the city." Oh wait, you mean like the Renaissance Center????? | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 867 Registered: 01-2006 |
I already enjoy the Riverfront 4 Theaters. I dont thin Detroit can support 10 screens in 2 downtown locations. Looks like the Ren Cen will have to find an alternative for that space. | ||
Elwoodp Member Username: Elwoodp Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2006 |
This "development" announcement is little more than a feasibility study. It also appears only $25mm of the $150 has been secured. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20080109/U PDATE/801090447/1361 | ||
Wschnitt Member Username: Wschnitt Post Number: 53 Registered: 07-2007 |
I did not like that article. It seemed to contradict the Freep article saying that all the money was secured. | ||
Eboyer Member Username: Eboyer Post Number: 58 Registered: 01-2007 |
After this story broke, I mentioned that they were given an 18-month option on the parcel, much like the city's agreement with Quicken Loans. The Freep's original article was VERY misleading. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 868 Registered: 01-2006 |
That article makes it sound like Northern's investment is $25M...but isn't it possible that there are other lines of funding that complete the $150M price tag that the Freep says is already in place? | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4790 Registered: 10-2004 |
What's wrong with running feasibility studies? Having finances secured (probably dipping into their own pockets) and wisely spending those funds are two entirely different animals. Besides, it's not easy to line up prospective renters 47 months or more into the future in an unstable market. It's better having that parcel undeveloped if it won't be productive because its existence might cause financial hardships for the other downtown businesses, and the entire downtown will suffer as a result. If the study indicates it's feasible--go for it. Otherwise, don't. It's just common sense, and over-zealous cheerleaders aren't necessary at this point if foolish rooting for anything built downtown leads to faulty business decisions. | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 4400 Registered: 02-2007 |
the press release from prnewswire (essentially identical to the freep's alleged "exclusive") says: "All financing for the project is in place and is being handled by the Northern Group using its private funding sources. " also, re caradonna, has anyone found anything he's done other than interiors? | ||
Xd_brklyn Member Username: Xd_brklyn Post Number: 358 Registered: 10-2003 |
"This group really wants to make this their marquee project in the world" If they can make this work, it will definitely be something they could boast to other municipalities. However, downtown Detroit is not ready-made like NYC nor as far along as Philly in embracing an urban lifestyle. So not only do they have to sell their project, but they are going to have to get involved in selling the entire downtown Detroit to a metro area that overwhelmingly suburban. That is one tough sell to be sure. Am impressed they have the guts to have gotten this far along. The Detroit big wigs came out in force to make the revamped DIA happen, but am unaware of any major undertaking by them like this downtown. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4306 Registered: 02-2005 |
What did you think they would be doing for the next year or so...of course there is a feasibility study. $25 mil of their own money is a ton...the rest of the money is from lenders they've lined up. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 3192 Registered: 06-2006 |
damnit...I was pretty certain that I hated this design, but each time I see the renderings, it grows on me also, when I drove through CM yesterday, I visualized what the building would look like sitting on that corner and actually looked pretty exciting in my mind | ||
Boynamedsue Member Username: Boynamedsue Post Number: 25 Registered: 03-2005 |
When is this press conference? | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 1069 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mike Thompson did a nice cartoon and commentary on some peoples negative reaction to developments in Detroit http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20080108/BLOG24/ 80107054 Keys to a new Cadillac Remember the old Saturday Night Live characters Doug and Wendy Whiner? The grating fictional couple played by Joe Piscopo and Robin Duke back in the 1980s come to mind whenever I read about local reaction to any new downtown Detroit development plan. Just check out a few of the reader reactions posted on Freep.com after our Sunday exclusive news story about plans for a stunning new $150 million Cadillac Centre complex to be built near Compuware's downtown headquarters. "If they have armed security and personal shoppers I might try it once," wrote one reader. "Another project that will never get anywhere...." opined another. "Uh ... I'm sorry folks. You shouldn't get your hopes up" added a third reader. While nothing in life is certain, it's amazing to me that even after successfully hosting a Super Bowl, the World Series, the Baseball All-Star Game, the construction of two new world-class stadiums, two stunning permanent casinos and billions of dollars in new development, so many area residents cling to the notion that Detroit is still its same old completely dysfunctional self. Look, Detroit obviously still has a lot of major problems, but anyone who's driven through downtown recently knows that the city's business district has clearly turned the corner. We've had our share of disappointments when it comes to downtown projects, but so has every other major city. So what's it gonna take for folks to abandon the knee-jerk sniveling that follows any development news coming out of Detroit? The completion of a life-size replica of the Giza pyramid complex on Woodward Avenue? The fictional SNL Whiner couple were said to suffer from Diverticulitis, which accounted for their incessant, grating whining. At least they had an excuse. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 4497 Registered: 10-2003 |
Great cartoon. Sums up a lot of posters I know. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1387 Registered: 01-2004 |
update http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080109/BUS INESS06/80109035 | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 4505 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Oh, that Kwame! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11158 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Were is that info coming from? | ||
Rob_in_warren Member Username: Rob_in_warren Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2007 |
Caradonna said he hoped this building would become "the defining image" of Detroit's next decades. I'm all for the bold new design presented by this group. I hope every inch of it is built. But lets not figuratively pin the hopes of Detroit on a mall and movie theater (theatre?). If I'm picturing this correctly... I like the idea of bringing national retail shopping back to downtown in a smaller, indoor mall. That may ease the minds of investors and retailers knowing that the stores are set in a more controlled setting. I'm picturing a smaller version of the Bev Center in LA. That would be a good start. | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 4414 Registered: 02-2007 |
does the bev center have residences? | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2478 Registered: 04-2006 |
I think the Beverly Center is a lot more mallish than is the intention for this development. I'm thinking along the lines of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle in NYC. | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1512 Registered: 12-2004 |
What on earth does this have in common with Rockefeller Center??? | ||
Rob_in_warren Member Username: Rob_in_warren Post Number: 63 Registered: 11-2007 |
No, but it is a theater, built on a mall, built on a couple anchor stores. I've been there twice, and it is quite an attraction for people all over LA. That is where I draw the comparison. The Bev Center is not a nice looking building at all. The apartment towers are what make the planned building world class. Hopefully the apartments aren't scaled back when the final design is submitted (as was done with the casino's hotel rooms). To me the shopping center and entertainment are the most exciting part of this plan from a functional standpoint. | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 377 Registered: 04-2005 |
This would be a perfect location for that ESPN Zone and Cheesecake Factory we've always wanted. Maybe they can throw in a PF Changs and a Melting Pot as a bonus! | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 3194 Registered: 06-2006 |
^don't leave out the Chili's have to learn to crawl before we learn to walk | ||
Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 443 Registered: 06-2007 |
I hope there is an Olive Garden, Fuddrucker's, and a Lady Jane's salon. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2479 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: Who said anything about Rockefeller Center? | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 378 Registered: 04-2005 |
There's already a Fuddrucker's a mile away on Jefferson. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 3195 Registered: 06-2006 |
"Who said anything about Rockefeller Center?" See the article Testsua posted | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1173 Registered: 10-2003 |
"What on earth does this have in common with Rockefeller Center???" Its across the street from Campus Martius' Rink and Tree...and it has glass in the structure. |
