  Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 544 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
I couldn't stay wake last night for a clip on Channel 7 about the design of the MotorCity Casino Hotel. If you go to Channel 7's website, www.wxyz.com. their on-line news clip video talks about it and shows an artist's rendering. I could not find any information on this press release in the Freep or Detroit New today. He is also a link to an article about the designer of the hotel. http://www.theautochannel.com/ news/2006/08/14/018518.html | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4180 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
Wow, a huge improvement over the poor rendering Giffels has on its site! | ||
Toog05 Member Username: Toog05 Post Number: 31 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.61.197.58 |
Wow, it looks much different than it did on the other renderings, looks very nice and attractive | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 1290 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.73.202.154 |
Hmm, when I go to www.wxyz.com, the "NetCast" movie just has a story about the Dream Cruise, a soldier killed in Iraq, then JonBenet Ramsey. I guess they must have updated the current stories.  | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 546 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Sorry for not proof reading the title of the thread. Title should have been Motor City Casino Hotel. Saw an interview this afternoon on Channel 7 regarding the Motor City Casino Hotel. The interview took place at the Dream Cruise and I think it was with a media representative from the Motor City Casino. I looked at the media section of the Motor City Casino website this morning and there was no mention of it. | ||
Cgunn Member Username: Cgunn Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 199.8.66.138 |
 http://www.forbes.com/feeds/prnewswire/2006/08/18/prnewswire200608181831PR_NEWS_B_MAT_NY_NYF058.html (article) http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s?f=PRN/prnpub&p1=20060818/NYF058&xtag=PRN-prnphotos-55978&redir=preview&tr=1&row=1 (photo) (Message edited by cgunn on August 20, 2006) | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6289 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.236.198.22 |
The other one just south of there...MGM...looks like they are building their hotel to double as a prison. Each cell, its own concrete cave. Matter of fact, this one, with its two column elevator/stairs assembly, could also double as a decent holding facility. I wonder if that was part of the design goal?! Never know when one of the whales turns out to need detention...or simply a 'time out'...so why NOT build each suite as a potential lock-down? | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 244 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.62.6.138 |
My God! That design looks like sh*t. They basically took this design and f*cked it up. http://www.emporis.com/en/il/l v/?id=421864 | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 106 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 141.217.174.219 |
Hopp in and let's take it for a spin down Grand River. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 28 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.234.69 |
A better idea would be to build a decent looking building that blends in with the historical architecture. The new casino looks like a piece of shit. But I am in favor of development downtown | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 732 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 68.61.194.237 |
What's the rocket thing in the front? | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 249 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.62.6.138 |
Milwaukee: I agree. Something like what was done with Comerica Tower (built in the 1990s with a gothic-style) or what is being done with the new MGM grand in the art-deco style would be preferable to that awful design. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I mage:Comericatower.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I mage:Mgmgranddet-rendering.jpg | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1154 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Well other the the rocket and some of the other cheesy features, I like this design more than the drab glass block that was the original proposal. This seems to have at least a little bit more character/ | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4192 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
Every piece of architecture doesn't have to be PoMo, nor should it. I'm not a huge fan of this "Las Vegas Style" of design for this casino, but it's a heck of a lot better than the bland proposals in the past. With all that said, I am, however, disappointed that they are going to reclad the historic portion (old Wonderbread), as it would have offered a great architectural contrast to the new hotel portion. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1769 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 75.9.245.211 |
If that is truly the design of the MotorCity hotel, then I think the rocket thing is supposed to represent the tail lights of a 1950s Cadillac. | ||
Toog05 Member Username: Toog05 Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.61.197.58 |
All I have to say is overall, is that it looks better than the old rendering. Also a rendering is going to look much different when it is actually built, dont be so negative about the design of everything that built in Detroit, bottom line is that its going to be a great addition to the downtown area. | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 547 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Cgunn - What search criteria did you use? How did you find these articles? I reminds me of either a dinner or a brand of travel trailers which were made in the 40s and 50's. They were made out of aluminium and had the word "Air" in the brand name. I would like the design better if the cheesy rocket was removed and replaced with a signature piece of art. How about a gold statue of Arthur P in Roman garb or Hulk Hogan! | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 122 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
I knd of like it, it has the looks of a streamline moderne car such as a Chrysler Airflow and still gives a nod to the orignal part of the building. It could be a lot worse. I can remember that boxy thing they first proposed once they decided to stay put... all I could think was 'ick...' Whats wrong with having a little bit of Vegas in Detroit? btw, there was a comment regarding MGM making the building out of concrete. Some of you are to young to remember the terrible fire that took place at the MGM Grand. I am assuming that being overly cautious about fireproofing the building is part of their culture. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6291 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.236.198.22 |
Bibs, Those would be Air Stream trailers...the diners were another firm, but similar use of that 'new' material from the 50s...aluminum. Cheers! | ||
Hybridy Member Username: Hybridy Post Number: 14 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 206.126.217.221 |
i agree with Lmichigan. giffels proposing to reclad the wonderbread portion of the casino should be reconsidered. i guess it's easier to meet the bottom line if they just fakely paste over the pieces then to actually use the historic portion as an opportunity to inspire a concise design proposal. at least it is an improvement on the earlier renderings. gotta sell out to the corporate whore sometime. i know that any new development in the city is welcomed, however the city still retains some integrity of her glory days in the early to mid 20th century; i think that alone should allow us to be more strict with what is built. i would prefer something real not clad with an artificial facade of masonry. detroit needs its new development to be on caliber of the lee plaza. anyone seeing that for the first time can honestly mistake it for a new building. ps-down with the rocket indeed! | ||
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport Post Number: 154 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.61.11.146 |
The fire in Vegas at the old MGM Grand that is now Bally's? | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4194 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
Hybridy, very rarely are buildings like Lee Plaza ever built anywhere. Curtain wall facade systems have won out over masonry due to cost. We shouldn't expect the unrealistic. The market changed, for good, quite a few decades ago in terms of the quality of architecture. There will be no "Lee Plazas" built for the forseeable future (i.e. using the same construction method, attention to detail...), and especially not in a city that is struggling to pay its bills, with so many empty lots that expecting density and quality is an exception and not a rule. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 32 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.238.254 |
I don't know how much extra it would cost the casino builders, but I think that they should renovate the Michigan Central Station. That is a great building. It's upper floors could be used like a hotel and it's lower grand hall could be used as the casino. I think that it would be a good idea. It has a central location and could really help out the surrounding area. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4195 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
That's not going to happen. All three of the casinos and hotels are under construction. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 34 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.238.254 |
I thought this new one was only in the planning stages, they haven't started it yet. Have they? | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1155 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Yes, it has been started, and the structure is mostly in place. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 35 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.238.254 |
Which of the three casino's is this one. The MGM, The Greektown Hotel and Casino, or the Motor City Hotel and Casino? I went to emporis and they said that the Greektown was only approved. They still have the opportunity in that case to renovate an old building or change there crapy design. http://www.emporis.com/en/il/i m/?id=449056 | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1156 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
The link is to the Greektown casino, which is far behind the others in terms of construction. MGM Grand's rendering can be seen through this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I mage:Mgmgranddet-rendering.jpg And the Motor CIty Casino is the rendering being discussed on this thread | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 1354 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.60.143.186 |
They have all begun, at the very least, site preperation with MGM and Motor City having a lot of structure up. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 37 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.239.60 |
That's too bad to hear. I don't see why tacky new buildings are being built when there are an abundence of good ones to work with. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4196 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
So naive. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1856 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
Here's the article from the Freep. Yes, the design is based on classic auto designs from Detroit's heydays. In that sense I really like the design. It will definately jazz up the currently stoggy architecture of Detroit. Having said that it's also very controversial that they are proposing to cover up the historic facade of the Wonderbread factory. I wonder if this has gone before historic district review (is the building in a local historic district?)? If so they must have paid their way through the HDC. I'm on the fence on this one. Unfortunately due to the money that flows to the city from the casinos, they'll be able to do whatever they like. http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20060821/NEWS06/ 608210327 | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8721 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.54.69.58 |
I love it! It adds a bit of flavour to the area. Something different that sets it apart from other buildings, especially the other casinos. | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 834 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 199.178.193.5 |
BVOS, tell me how the historic district commission has any "teeth" whatsoever. They aren't even "quasi-legislative", in other words, their decisions have no legal basis to prevent someone from doing whatever they want with their propert......that has been evidenced over and over again....... | ||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3190 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 136.181.195.17 |
Gambling_Man, that's true only because other parts of the city government make it so. If the commission had the backing of other departments, their decisions could/would be upheld in court. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1858 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
The Madison Lennox fiasco really rendered the HDC impotent. They really only come into play if someone is going after historic tax credits or need approval for some sort of government program. Other than that, yes they don't have much say. So even if they had a say in the MotorCity Casino, they obviously aren't going after historic tax credits (the design wouldn't qualify) so there's little stick to offer, just a carrot which isn't being used here. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2671 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.90.76 |
Gannon, I take it you were not around, or too young to remember the "cave" cell look of the RenCen hotel as it was going up in the 1970's. It looked like a giant corn cob. That look is normal for hotels under construction. Having cement walls helps to keep hotel room noises from filtering into neighboring rooms. When the outer skin is applied, you will no longer see all that cement. | ||
Solarflare Member Username: Solarflare Post Number: 517 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.112.56.3 |
I like it! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2677 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.105.227 |
Well now that I've had time to study that pic, it is not an actual design picture, but a conceptual design that sorta shows what the front of the Casino will look like (the long low building) and what the hotel tower will look like. I too like this design, because it retains part of the 1915 original in the casino structure, and carries that motif into the hotel tower (the brick portion with pendiment top). So Walter A. Ahlschlager's 1915 original design will have portions of it kept on into the new design. Great move! Most folks don't know who Walter A. Ahlschlager is. He was an architect in the beginning of the 20th century, who dabbled into movie palaces (he designed the NYC Roxy Theatre, the 5,920 seat greatest 1920's movie palaces, razed 1961). He also did a few important commercial complexes. The most famous is probably Cincinnati's Carew Complex. This 1930 Art Deco office/retail/hotel complex was the successful intermediary stepping stone between Detroit's Fisher Building complex (1928) and NYC Rockefeller Center (1932). It's a fitting tribute to keep some of Ahlschlager's design elements in the new casino. My hats off to Marian Ilitch and her new automotive (turned building) designer! | ||
Sumotect Member Username: Sumotect Post Number: 236 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.243.32.9 |
Not a very good rendering, looks like a high school kid did it. And the building?......Looks like ass to me. Housing for transients attached to a place to turn people into losers. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much mascara and lipstick you put on a pig. You are still kissing a pig. Does this mean I can start designing cars that look like buildings. Oh look out next years dream cruise. Time for the Cape Cod Turbo!!! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2681 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.105.241 |
Well it looks better than the butt ugly design that it replaced (which had all the charm of the remodeled Boulevard Building on Woodward & Grand Blvd.). After all the name of the casino is "MOTORCITY". It's not meant to be an office building... it's a casino! Automotive glitzy, with a bit of casino kitsch. The pic isn't even an architects design, just a general design composite. That said, I do dislike that rocket ship mimicking a 50's tail light. That is garish! Now that fellow who designed the "excesses" was not an architect, but an automotive designer. At least he had the respect to preserve some of the historic designs of the original architect. Much too often architects today deride or debase the architects of the past (before the International Style). I have an AIA book called Historic Resource Facilities, which shows 57 historic buildings that were restored or remodeled. And most of the buildings listed in the book don't even mention the original architect. This oversight clearly shows how little respect the architectural community today has for the early 20th century architects. (Message edited by Gistok on August 22, 2006) | ||
Basscase Member Username: Basscase Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 68.42.83.119 |
On the Dream Cruise coverage, the President of Motor City Casinos said that they had hired Chip Foose to design the interiors of the hotel and casino. |
