  Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 571 Registered: 11-2005 |
The Hotel Ste. Claire was built at Randolph and Monroe in 1879 by the Brush estate on a site owned by the Brush family since 1806. The hotel closed Nov. 15, 1933, and was torn down the following year. It was a swanky showplace for years and a meeting place for politicians. Its bar was said to be nationally famous and the meeting place of the gallants of the 1890s. At the time that it was built, it was described as being a structure of rare beauty. If you take a look at the picture here, you will see just how beautiful this rare beauty was. Photo: http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Histo ric%20Detroit%20hotels/steclai re.jpg | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 573 Registered: 11-2005 |
Just found two postcard pictures of it, too. Looks like it was on the northwest corner of Randolph and Monroe, maybe? http://www.rootsweb.com/~miway ne/hotelstc.jpg http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/83/f3/c56f_1.JPG (Message edited by rhymeswithrawk on March 28, 2007) | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1503 Registered: 10-2003 |
Northeast corner. There's a vacant lot there now (surface parking). In the photos, you can see the Odd Fellows Hall building next to the hotel. The Odd Fellows building is still there, but the upper floor was altered to remove the mansard roof. The photo-link in Rhymeswithrawk's post shows the block on the east side of Randolph between Monroe and Macomb; those buildings are all still there except for the hotel. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2005 |
I'll be damned, Fury! You're right! I guess I didn't look close enough. Good eye. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1073 Registered: 10-2003 |
anybody know why it was torn down? has that location been a surface lot since 1934? such a shame. thanx for the pic rawk. makes me think about how detroiters have always been quick to destroy that which is not fashionable (especially for surface parking). in fourty years are people going to lament that there's no brutalist structures left? or in fifteen are we really going to kick ourselves for getting rid of all the modernist structures we're tearing down right now? [keep in mind that if they are being replaced, they are being replaced with buildings mimicking those that were torn down originally, yet with half the quality and lifespan.] not trying to troll or really looking for an argument, just thought i'd post a reflection... | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 581 Registered: 11-2005 |
or in fifteen are we really going to kick ourselves for getting rid of all the modernist structures we're tearing down right now? Comerica Tower will be there in 15 years, just not with Comerica inside it. And are we really tearing down that many modernist buildings? The McNamara is slated to go, but you won't find anyone lobbying to save it. I can't think of many others. | ||
Crew Member Username: Crew Post Number: 1164 Registered: 02-2004 |
You all seem so cavalier about tearing down Ford Aud. Someday your grandkids will see pictures of it and shake their heads. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 839 Registered: 10-2003 |
Crew, Why would that be? Because they will have missed the unique and thoughtful architecture or because they will not have had the opportunity to experience the precise acoustics of the facility? | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1507 Registered: 10-2003 |
anybody know why it was torn down? has that location been a surface lot since 1934? such a shame... makes me think about how detroiters have always been quick to destroy that which is not fashionable... Well, it was 1933, 1934. It was the depths of the Great Depression. It was hard to keep a business going, hard to afford maintenance... and many, many buildings were torn down in the '30s throughout the United States simply because owners couldn't afford to pay the taxes. We can't conceive today just how difficult times were then. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3964 Registered: 08-2004 |
A very sad loss for Detroit. That 8 story late German Renaissance building was beautiful, especially the gables and roof line. What a pity. And who said the McNamara Building was being torn down? That building is only about 30 years old. Are you sure?? | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 192 Registered: 09-2006 |
I am not positive but I thought it was the old FBI building on the other side of the freeway , not the McNamara Building to make way for a new facility,, but I am not sure | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1122 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's the old black skyscraper in Corktown overlooking the Lodge they're getting rid of to build a new FBI/federal "campus." | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3969 Registered: 08-2004 |
Gotcha, that's the former Michigan Executive Plaza (or something like that). The state of Michigan moved all their offices to Cadillac Center (former GM HQ), and that vacant complex will come down for the FBI campus. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 466 Registered: 02-2007 |
bumping some threads that are underdiscussed. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 753 Registered: 12-2005 |
On March 28th, I posted a 1917 photo on the Ferry Seed Building thread that includes the Hotel Ste. Claire. Click on the link for the enlarged image to see it more clearly. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 588 Registered: 11-2005 |
Took a photo today of the parking lot where this building once stood. I'll post tomorrow. It's given me an idea for a project... | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 66 Registered: 01-2007 |
There are a couple of pics of that building in the WSU Archives. One from the Barlum Tower, one from the old city hall.( having problems uploading pics, will try later). | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 1110 Registered: 08-2006 |
What a great little building. You can find many like it in Milwaukee. I love the gable top of the building. It reminds me a lot of our city hall. I believe that hotel is of German or Flemish style. Still, a very cool old building. I'm guessing a lot more buildings in Detroit, ones that are still standing used to have that kind of roof. It happened quite often during the 50's and 60's that those extravagant rooves were flattened or "modernized". | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 68 Registered: 01-2007 |
   taken from WSU Virtual Motor City | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 69 Registered: 01-2007 |
The building is kind of in the background in these but you can see it in it's surroundings. It's a great view from the building up Broadway and Monroe. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 1113 Registered: 08-2006 |
Great photos. I love that site. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 608 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here's a photo of the site of the Hotel Ste. Claire today. It stood just south of the Odd Fellows temple in this photo (to the right). Warning: Not work appropriate if the sight of parking lots turns you on: http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Histo ric%20Detroit%20hotels/steclai retoday.jpg | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2006 |
The Ford Auditorium is an exceptional example of mid-20th Century modern civic architecture. It's lines, form and overall composition are very pleasing. Yeah, the acoustics are awful but it doesn't have to be used for music. As for the McNamara Building: "brutalist" architectural style, primarily constructed of concrete and a monotonous facade. Sort of looks like an ivory tower, which is ironic for a Federal building. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/b u/?id=118510 Hard to believe these same architects designed the Guardian Building 47 years before. I don't much care for the new guys. Compared to the second-empire romance of the Hotel Ste. Clare, the McNamara seems oppressive and cold. I won't be sorry to see it go. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 648 Registered: 02-2007 |
bump | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 640 Registered: 11-2005 |
Does anyone have any mementos from the Ste. Claire? Doorknobs? Postcards? China? I've scoured all the salvage shops and antique shops in town and have come up empty. I'm rather obsessed with this hotel these days. |
