Detroit Needs an Eye Catcher

**gthomas** · November-13-12, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

I'd prefer a ton of smaller infill over signature buildings. I think the world already identifies Detroit with the RenCen and I think that's a reasonable icon.

Many cities face the tragedy of losing so many buildings to progress, but Detroit tore down so many for absolutely nothing. I only hope new cutting edge buildings can make up for that loss, but they need not be towers.

Yeah, I love infills [[Mid-size mix development) on the eastside of Downtown, around greektown where there's over 8 or 9 surface parking lots..ugh. But I believe one or two more iconic buildings should be built, not taller the GM but not smaller than 30-story around Campus Martius/Financial District and Grand Circus Park and West District.

**Strong** · November-13-12, 10:15 PM

Some idea and already vacate lots where they could build.
1) On the riverfront just east of Milliken State Park
2) On the lot on Woodward at about Temple Street across from Crosswind complex
3) Tear down the garage at Randolph and Monroe
4) Tear down the building across from Cliff Bells
5) Tear down Joe Louis Arena
Just to name a few

**gthomas** · November-13-12, 10:20 PM

Shollin · November-13-12, 10:21 PM

They should design a building that resembles a crankshaft and has 8 towers that resemble connecting rods and pistons.

**Strong** · November-13-12, 10:45 PM

Motor City Casino has a design to resemble a car
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**p69rrh51** · November-13-12, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Strong

Motor City Casino has a design to resemble a car
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And Walter Ahlschlager is rolling over in his grave for the way his design has been bastardized.

**Gistok** · November-14-12, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

And Walter Ahlschlager is rolling over in his grave for the way his design has been bastardized.

Although Ahlschlager's Wagner [[later Wonder) Bread Company Factory has been greatly altered, the MotorCity folks did keep the principal design features [[the brick gabled pavilion towers), and even incorporated that design style as a dominant feature of the new hotel tower. The previous designs for the permanent casino on that site would have completely obliterated Ahlschlager's architectural features. If the modern streamlined skin is only covering over the remainder of Ahlschlager's design, then it's still there for any future uncovering.

Too bad that Albert Kahn's Boulevard Building [[NE corner of Woodward & E. Grand Blvd.) didn't get similar respect when it got its' Brutalist makeover in the 1960s... but all the wonderful terra cotta details were stripped away.

**gthomas** · November-14-12, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

I'd prefer a ton of smaller infill over signature buildings. I think the world already identifies Detroit with the RenCen and I think that's a reasonable icon.

Many cities face the tragedy of losing so many buildings to progress, but Detroit tore down so many for absolutely nothing. I only hope new cutting edge buildings can make up for that loss, but they need not be towers.

This is a great example of what can happen around the dequindre cut. Nice mid-size infill buildings..

**gthomas** · December-02-12, 06:11 PM

**DetroitPlanner** · December-02-12, 10:22 PM

I went to the historical museum yesterday and the glancy trains have a big ass tire turned into a ferriswheel. Detroit should get one of those, put it by a freeway and use it as a sign.

We also need some billboards that change whenever a new car rolls off the assembly line. Sort of like a tally board.

**gthomas** · December-02-12, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I went to the historical museum yesterday and the glancy trains have a big ass tire turned into a ferriswheel. Detroit should get one of those, put it by a freeway and use it as a sign.

We also need some billboards that change whenever a new car rolls off the assembly line. Sort of like a tally board.

Like this one, I will place it on the old Tiger Stadium site along the freeway, over 10-story tall.

**Honky Tonk** · December-02-12, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I went to the historical museum yesterday and the glancy trains have a big ass tire turned into a ferriswheel. Detroit should get one of those, put it by a freeway and use it as a sign.

We also need some billboards that change whenever a new car rolls off the assembly line. Sort of like a tally board.

How about a tally board that changes everytime someone gets another bright idea to save the City?

**gthomas** · December-02-12, 11:03 PM

Or this: I will add details to make it look like a tire with rims.

Add this on the facade:

**gthomas** · December-02-12, 11:06 PM

Now this is eye catching!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY0Uuyf8Xhw

**Spartan** · December-03-12, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I went to the historical museum yesterday and the glancy trains have a big ass tire turned into a ferriswheel. Detroit should get one of those, put it by a freeway and use it as a sign.

We also need some billboards that change whenever a new car rolls off the assembly line. Sort of like a tally board.

We already have a ferris wheel-turned-tire, we just need a tire-turned-ferris wheel to complement it!

**gthomas** · December-03-12, 11:31 PM

**MidTownMs** · December-04-12, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by gthomas

You keep posting pictures of buildings but you don't post any information about the building such as where it is and what is it used for. Are these pictures of actual buildings or are they drawings?

**gthomas** · December-04-12, 12:12 AM

I apologize, I'm posting what I believe is eye catching. If I like a certain building I will give detail of where it is and what it's used for. What I think can fit in our skyline or future development site throughout downtown and midtown. I saw a few nice mid-size building Midtown can build, a little more classy than The Auburn.