DETROIT, MICHIGAN | Saturday, September 4th, 2010 | 3:13 AM | 38 buildings and counting...

From the category archives:

Endangered

Michigan State Fair

Almost a year ago, I visited the Michigan State Fair for what was to be its last season. The Michigan State Fair was the longest running in the United States spanning over 160 years, surviving the depression, until budget cuts forced its closure in 2010. I took a few pictures, but nowhere near enough to [...]

Detroit Icons in Danger

Two extremely iconic buildings in Detroit are potentially a step closer to joining the recently publicized list of vacant Detroit buildings. The Guardian Building and the Penobscot Building are both located in the heart of the central business district and would emotionally devastate the Detroit (or at least me) if they become vacant. Both towers [...]

48 Vacant Buildings in the Detroit CBD

Louis Aguilar at the Detroit News has assembled an unofficial list of vacant buildings in Detroit’s central business district. The list is not all inclusive, but based on the building having no signs of life (No tenants!), be 5 stories or taller, and contain 10,000 square feet or more. The last two criteria are the [...]

Lafayette Coming Down Soon

The Freep is reporting that fences have gone up around the building and that demolition is imminent. Designed by architect C. Howard Crane, who is better known for his designs of the Fox Theatre and other entertainment venues, the Lafayette Building occupied a wedge-shaped block between Michigan Avenue and Lafayette Boulevard. The site gave the [...]

Long Gone! (It’s for Real this Time…)

The City of Detroit Economic Development Corporation voted 7-1 to demolish what’s left of Tiger Stadium. Apparently, the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy has fallen short of its goal to raise $15.5 million or the DEDC has decided to proceed anyway. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last word since the demolition contract has yet to [...]

Michigan Central Depot: T Minus 30 Days

The countdown clock has started. In an April 21st hearing, the Detroit City Council has voted to raze the Michigan Central Depot and pass the demolition costs on to the owner. In a previous hearing (April 7th) the council passed a resolution calling for the “emergency demolition” of the vacant structure. This latest vote could [...]

One Book Done, One About to Fall…

Detroit recently celebrated as the Westin Book-Cadillac was restored after years of sitting prominently vacant at the south end of Washington Boulevard. Unfortunately, just up the street, the Book Building, another Pre-Depression Era trophy, is now 100% vacant. AKNO Enterprises of Canada, who bought the building in August, is behind on utility payments. So far [...]

New Project Deathwatch

We recently published an article talking about some of Detroit’s greatest unbuilt projects some of which were caused by the onset of the Great Depression. Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve no doubt seen the stock markets contract at an alarming rate these past couple of weeks. This has already caused many corporations to [...]

Cadillac Center Project in Danger [Updated]

Earlier this year, the DEGC and a New York developer, The Northern Group, announced plan for the Cadillac Centre located in the vacant block adjacent to Campus Martius. The Northern Group has missed a July 7th deadline to submit site plans, title review, and an environmental review. An automatic extension to submit these item expires [...]

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Critical Detroit is a personal blog promoting Detroit area architecture with articles that increase awareness, foster understanding, and raise expectations of Detroit architecture.

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Endangered

Michigan State Fair

Detroit Icons in Danger

48 Vacant Buildings in the Detroit CBD

Lafayette Coming Down Soon

Long Gone! (It’s for Real this Time…)

Michigan Central Depot: T Minus 30 Days

One Book Done, One About to Fall…

New Project Deathwatch

Cadillac Center Project in Danger [Updated]

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