2949 Cass Ave. Sold - What is the story here?

**emu steve** · August-07-14, 11:38 AM

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...old-in-Detroit

There has been some real estate action along Cass Ave north of Temple.

This doesn't seem to be an Ilitch endeavor.

**gvidas** · August-07-14, 12:08 PM

The newspaper article seems to lay out the story pretty clearly. The Masons and Shriners own the parking lots on either side of the building. So they bought it.

**subsidized** · August-07-14, 12:27 PM

I think Steve was hoping for a professional racquetball arena.

**401don** · August-07-14, 12:47 PM

That's what I do when I can't pay my property taxes, get a rock star to pay them and then buy more real estate.

**emu steve** · August-07-14, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by gvidas

The newspaper article seems to lay out the story pretty clearly. The Masons and Shriners own the parking lots on either side of the building. So they bought it.

More parking? Lol.

**Hypestyles** · August-07-14, 01:50 PM

more restaurants need to return to the area- like Chinese/Asian cuisine.

**emu steve** · August-07-14, 03:10 PM

I'm not sure what I make of it. Multiple parcels; multiple owners.

I saw a comment on Detnews: [[Masonic Temple) can't afford to pay taxes but can buy properties????

I think the moves are more speculative with development plans speculative and TBD.

That said, property being bought is a good thing. Means there is interest in the area.

**emu steve** · August-07-14, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by subsidized

I think Steve was hoping for a professional racquetball arena.

Or a fitness center.

BTW, isn't there an abandoned hotel on the corner at Temple/Cass, next to the Masonic Temple?

What should happen to it?

**EastsideAl** · August-08-14, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Or a fitness center.

BTW, isn't there an abandoned hotel on the corner at Temple/Cass, next to the Masonic Temple?

What should happen to it?

The old Ft. Wayne Hotel. I wonder if it still belongs to the John Birchers who turned into the American Hotel back in the '60s?

It's in very rough shape, and was so even before it closed back in the '80s. I think demolition and replacement may be in order. Hopefully, with something other than a parking garage, or at least a parking garage with retail.

**emu steve** · August-08-14, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

The old Ft. Wayne Hotel. I wonder if it still belongs to the John Birchers who turned into the American Hotel back in the '60s?

It's in very rough shape, and was so even before it closed back in the '80s. I think demolition and replacement may be in order. Hopefully, with something other than a parking garage, or at least a parking garage with retail.

It would be nice to see something happen to it and all of the other properties mentioned in this thread.

Once the arena is up, this area [[surrounding the Masonic Temple) should be next up on areas for improvement.

**p69rrh51** · August-08-14, 02:51 PM

Originally the Film Exchange Building, designed by Albert Kahn and built in 1922.

**hewettbr** · August-08-14, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Originally the Film Exchange Building, designed by Albert Kahn and built in 1922.

im not sure thats correct, the FEB is on Montcalm and Cass

**Danny** · August-08-14, 03:39 PM

Alas! Chinatown in Detroit is finally dead!

R.I.P. 1840 to 2014

**p69rrh51** · August-08-14, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by hewettbr

im not sure thats correct, the FEB is on Montcalm and Cass

You are new here and need to get up speed with the longtime members. I do know where the 1926 C. Howard Crane designed building is on Cass. This building predates that building by 4 years. Check Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record September 23, 1922 page 22.