WSU to build $93 million biotech hub

[Gistok]

An even worse "streetwall" building that WSU built was the "abomination" of an addition to Old Main [[see image). Not only does it look like a bunker... but it isn't even oriented to any street?? [[Maybe Grand River... but that's 2 miles away). What were they thinking when they built this building? And what purpose does it have, besides trying to ruin the historic neighborhood?

[Detroitnerd]

Oh, god, that cube they built on the back of Old Main. Don't get me started, man ...

[DetroitPlanner]

Oh, god, that cube they built on the back of Old Main. Don't get me started, man ...

If you think thats bad you obviously don't remember what it replaced. That part of Old Main had a bunch of substandard additions previously. When I went to school there in the 1980's the whole wing was shut down. The older addition clashed awfully with original Central High, only it was much older and decrepit. Unlike the old wing, at least the replacement matches the building's color and does not compete with it in a clashing style. Sometimes its best just to have something bland to allow the magnificience of the original structure to shine.

[mccarch]

Wayne State is 1) forcing a suburban landscape upon Midtown, and 2) not being upfront about the American Beauty Building.

"They need parking" is [[for lack of a better word) bullshit. Within a 1,500 foot radius [[less than 1/4 mile or a 5 minute walk), I'm sure there is plenty of existing surface parking. They do not need to tear down the American Beauty Building for parking.

This building was built by the American Electrical Heater Company, and later renamed after the firm's most successful product, the American Beauty iron. I own a copy of Albert Kahn, Inc.'s self-published photo book and listingof their projects [[copyright 1936). The list of projects includes, under Heating & Lighting Devices, the "American Electrical Heater Co., Detroit, Mich."

The building's facade has obvious AK characteristics. I believe the American Beauty Building is an Albert Kahn building. How can Wayne State get away with not admitting this, and worse, tearing it down - for surface parking?

[Pcm]

The building's facade has obvious AK characteristics. I believe the American Beauty Building is an Albert Kahn building. How can Wayne State get away with not admitting this, and worse, tearing it down - for surface parking?

It is a Kahn. From City of Detroit Proposed New Amsterdam Historic District document:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...Lt9rhA&cad=rja

"6100 Cass Avenue, American Electrical Heater Company [[1908), Albert Kahn architect

This building, known as today the American Beauty Iron Works, was described as the most completely equipped plant for the manufacturing of electrical heating devices in the world. Albert Kahn use of reinforced concrete was ideal in that it provided a fireproof, strong, and inexpensive factory for this use.

The American Electric Heater Company was founded in 1894 and was one of the most important interests of Detroit, due to the demand for electrical devices for household conveniences. Prominent Detroit entrepreneur, Frank Kuhn, established the business with his brother, Robert. They produced quality heating devices, which were sent out under the trademark of American Beauty. According to the Book of Detroiters, the plant stood as a monument to the progressiveness, business spirit, and powers of organization of the Kuhn Brothers.

This two-story structure extends the entire length of Burroughs Avenue between Woodward and Cass Avenues, although originally the building had a Woodward Avenue address, and did not extend to Cass. Two major changes altered the footprint of the building. According to City of Detroit building permits, the front forty -six feet was demolished for the widening of Woodward Avenue. Then in 1934, an addition was completed to the west of the building, extending to Cass Avenue.

Today, the main facade fronts Cass Avenue, and is comprised of five bays of double-hung, sash ribbon windows on the second floor. The first floor contains coupled multi-paned sash windows, and the pedestrian entrance is centered between two bays. Bands of concrete are exposed on all elevations of the building. The eastern and southern elevations contain decorative brickwork. The Woodward elevation is comprised of nine bays of multi-paned, steel sash windows. The windows contain keystones centered in the arches. The southern elevation at Woodward Avenue has a canopy overhang that shelters two doorways. Original metal signs spelling American Beauty are attached to the roof of the building on Woodward and Cass elevations."

[Detroitnerd]

If you think thats bad you obviously don't remember what it replaced. That part of Old Main had a bunch of substandard additions previously. When I went to school there in the 1980's the whole wing was shut down. The older addition clashed awfully with original Central High, only it was much older and decrepit. Unlike the old wing, at least the replacement matches the building's color and does not compete with it in a clashing style. Sometimes its best just to have something bland to allow the magnificience of the original structure to shine.

What a magnificent rationalization. That's like trying to make a woman's face more beautiful by attaching a tumor to her neck ...