The amount of white marble and other valuable materials and architectural details to be lost from these structures is a tragedy indeed (David Whitney bldg. interior is full of white marble...gorgeous in its day). It looks like, however, the politial and social will, and the enormous funds needed to save them is not there. Sad, very sad. The entire city of Detroit is a sad tale of a one-industry town; the handwriting was on the wall for decades, but the greed and shortsightedness by too many (some tried, just not enough) is what sent Detroit to its current state. I would love to see it rise again, but now I don't think I will live long enough -- at best it will be a least a couple of decades.
TooKim - 14 years ago
The city of Detroit was at one time one of the jewels of the country....Magnificant brick single and multi-family houses built to stand for generations, designed by some of the most famous American & European architects in modern history...beautiful craftsmanship, leaded glass windows, quality materials. The workmanship, craftmanship, and materials that went into these building, both commercial and residential literally cannot be duplicated today. These landmarks are respect worthy for restoration, occupation and/or tourism. Ancient Greece (Athens) & Rome made their ruins, rubble & relics TREASURE; remnants of their history for the world to see. It saddens me that the exquisite homes; Boston/Edison, Arden Park, Virginia Park Districts are being squandered away. The superior craftsmenship of that time will never be again. The buildings and historic districts salvage them. The cobblestone streets, the marble and stone of some of these masterpieces shouldn't be unappreciated, and left to rot nor disposed of for more vacant space. If the city does indeed downsize those historic buildings should be preserved. The cost to ever have such opulence like this again anywhere would be astronomical. I've had guests visit Detroit who didn't believe that such manificent pieces of history is not somehow being utilized. The integrity of many of these structures are reason and proof of their durabilty & strength despite decades being unkept.
Mr. G.M. Spiewak - 14 years ago
Most of these cannot be renovated economically to serve the advances in electronic, efficiency or ergonomic standards we see today. Most of these stand as a reminder that Detroit is a fallen city, and should be torn down to make way for any hope of attracting a business clientele. Leaving them rot in the sun just gives our town a bad image, one we can least afford. What types of business would want to establish a gleaming vision surrounded by blight?
I would love to have seen these venerable properties cared for along the way, as other cities have done. But Detroit inspectors have been lapse in their oversight and enforcement to the point that these are eyesores and a safety hazard. Remove them, clear the land for sale and redevelopment. And lets get Detroit moving again.
Mr Scott - 14 years ago
There are some nondescript building which tearing down would not cause any harm and no impact. Others are unique in their design and history with one being newer than the others can still be put back to use. It is easy to destroy. Once destroyed you can't rebuild. What is a real shame is that these buildings were let go by their owners and left to decay to the point of no return who's owners are just as guilty of neglect than those who vandalize them.
Francis - 14 years ago
This is an interesting and thought provoking exercise. If I HAD to knock down one, I suppose I could choose, but it would have been insightful to see if there were people who wouldn't want any of these knocked down. Of this stock of building, I still don't understand A) what harm these structures are really doing? B) what has the history of knocking these types of structures ever accomplished?
Andrew Sweeney - 14 years ago
The tragedy is that cities across the world , including mine (Sydney Australia), would love to have any of these architectural wonders and would treat them as gems worthy of not only preserving but of celebrating and loving. Detroit -Lift up your weary head! Rebuiild! Restore! Reconsider!
James - 14 years ago
How great it would be to see some of these beautiful buildings resurrected and revitalized, showing Detroit's victory over 50 years of economic disaster. The Michigan Central Railroad Station and the Grand Army of the Republic Hall are too wonderful to be demolished.
The amount of white marble and other valuable materials and architectural details to be lost from these structures is a tragedy indeed (David Whitney bldg. interior is full of white marble...gorgeous in its day). It looks like, however, the politial and social will, and the enormous funds needed to save them is not there. Sad, very sad. The entire city of Detroit is a sad tale of a one-industry town; the handwriting was on the wall for decades, but the greed and shortsightedness by too many (some tried, just not enough) is what sent Detroit to its current state. I would love to see it rise again, but now I don't think I will live long enough -- at best it will be a least a couple of decades.
The city of Detroit was at one time one of the jewels of the country....Magnificant brick single and multi-family houses built to stand for generations, designed by some of the most famous American & European architects in modern history...beautiful craftsmanship, leaded glass windows, quality materials. The workmanship, craftmanship, and materials that went into these building, both commercial and residential literally cannot be duplicated today. These landmarks are respect worthy for restoration, occupation and/or tourism. Ancient Greece (Athens) & Rome made their ruins, rubble & relics TREASURE; remnants of their history for the world to see. It saddens me that the exquisite homes; Boston/Edison, Arden Park, Virginia Park Districts are being squandered away. The superior craftsmenship of that time will never be again. The buildings and historic districts salvage them. The cobblestone streets, the marble and stone of some of these masterpieces shouldn't be unappreciated, and left to rot nor disposed of for more vacant space. If the city does indeed downsize those historic buildings should be preserved. The cost to ever have such opulence like this again anywhere would be astronomical. I've had guests visit Detroit who didn't believe that such manificent pieces of history is not somehow being utilized. The integrity of many of these structures are reason and proof of their durabilty & strength despite decades being unkept.
Most of these cannot be renovated economically to serve the advances in electronic, efficiency or ergonomic standards we see today. Most of these stand as a reminder that Detroit is a fallen city, and should be torn down to make way for any hope of attracting a business clientele. Leaving them rot in the sun just gives our town a bad image, one we can least afford. What types of business would want to establish a gleaming vision surrounded by blight?
I would love to have seen these venerable properties cared for along the way, as other cities have done. But Detroit inspectors have been lapse in their oversight and enforcement to the point that these are eyesores and a safety hazard. Remove them, clear the land for sale and redevelopment. And lets get Detroit moving again.
There are some nondescript building which tearing down would not cause any harm and no impact. Others are unique in their design and history with one being newer than the others can still be put back to use. It is easy to destroy. Once destroyed you can't rebuild. What is a real shame is that these buildings were let go by their owners and left to decay to the point of no return who's owners are just as guilty of neglect than those who vandalize them.
This is an interesting and thought provoking exercise. If I HAD to knock down one, I suppose I could choose, but it would have been insightful to see if there were people who wouldn't want any of these knocked down. Of this stock of building, I still don't understand A) what harm these structures are really doing? B) what has the history of knocking these types of structures ever accomplished?
The tragedy is that cities across the world , including mine (Sydney Australia), would love to have any of these architectural wonders and would treat them as gems worthy of not only preserving but of celebrating and loving. Detroit -Lift up your weary head! Rebuiild! Restore! Reconsider!
How great it would be to see some of these beautiful buildings resurrected and revitalized, showing Detroit's victory over 50 years of economic disaster. The Michigan Central Railroad Station and the Grand Army of the Republic Hall are too wonderful to be demolished.
Tear the whole city down...