411 W. Lafayette (former structure)

[Patrick]

Having worked in the current Comerica structure at 411 West Lafayette as well as several nearby buildings, I have always wondered about this site. The current building was designed by Louis G. Redstone in around 1969 or so. This building is across the street, just east of the Fort Shelby Hotel. I know that for the longest time during the Shelby’s first life, the Comerica site was a parking lot. However, there was a large structure standing at the current site of Comerica when the Shelby’s first structure was built.

One of the best threads we ever had was this one:
http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/6790/44026.html

Now, in a similar fashion, how can I find out about the structure that stood where the present day Comerica (411 Building) stands? This structure seems to be at least 4 stories tall and was built much earlier than 1915. This is the corner of 1st and Lafayette.
332

[buildingsofdetroit]

It was the old Masonic Temple. After digging through ye olde BuildingsofDetroit.com archives, I've found a couple images.

You can see the old Masonic here:

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc280/buildingsofdetroit/Buildings/masonic.jpg

and here:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc280/buildingsofdetroit/Postcards/masonic-1.jpg

and the demolition can be seen here: http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc280/buildingsofdetroit/Buildings/masons.jpg

Note the top of the Fort Shelby in the upper left and the Mercer Building (home to the Anchor Bar today) in the bottom left.

[Ocean2026]

Looked like a great building.

[Patrick]

Ah, very nice indeed. Thanks for the research!

[buildingsofdetroit]

It's what I do. :)

I was talking to macknwarren and he says he remembers it being a rec center with bowling alleys, etc. My guess is that he recalls correctly and that it was turned into a rec center after the new Masonic Temple opened on Temple and Cass.