The Book Tower Restoration Project

**scene** · August-28-15, 11:11 AM

I know some people are not fans of Gilbert owning pretty much every building downtown but...

The Book Tower is far and away my favorite building in Detroit and I'm so happy it's about to receive some TLC from our supreme leader.

http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...bert/71306686/
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Name: Book-Tower-detroti-Cleaning.jpg
Views: 3174
Size: 64.7 KB

**stinkytofu** · August-28-15, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by scene

http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...bert/71306686/

I know some people are not fans of Gilbert owning pretty much every building downtown but...

The Book Tower is far and away my favorite building in Detroit and I'm so happy it's about to receive some TLC from our supreme leader.

Wow. Great news indeed! Love or hate Gilbert...he gets stuff done.

Damn exciting to see the Stott and Book coming back online in the coming years.

**mwilbert** · August-28-15, 11:42 AM

Amazing news. Also noteworthy because it is certain to involve a considerable amount of residential development which hasn't been something Gilbert has done much up until now.

**Kathleen** · August-28-15, 11:19 AM

Definitely not in favor of one person or organization owning all these properties, but still am thankful that they are getting some love! Wouldn't it be fabulous if that grand atrium ceiling were restored!!!

**Jason** · August-28-15, 11:20 AM

Great!

Imagine 10 years ago, that both the David Broderick and David Whitney would be renovated and that both Book Tower and the David Stott Building would be happening soon!

**hybridy** · August-28-15, 11:43 AM

you danny will do right by this one!

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · August-28-15, 11:44 AM

If Statler City gets built and the Book revived, Washington Blvd. will really be transformed.

**Zads07** · August-28-15, 12:26 PM

I always thought this was the toughest building to renovate in the city. It's the tallest, there's three separate buildings to the complex and there's a lack of parking. In my mind, when this is renovated or at least in the process, the turnaround of Detroit is not only real, but it's really in full swing.

Who would've thought, 10 years ago, the Broderick, Whitney, Stott and Book Tower, all empty, would be renovated.

**emu steve** · August-28-15, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Zads07

I always thought this was the toughest building to renovate in the city. It's the tallest, there's three separate buildings to the complex and there's a lack of parking. In my mind, when this is renovated or at least in the process, the turnaround of Detroit is not only real, but it's really in full swing.

Who would've thought, 10 years ago, the Broderick, Whitney, Stott and Book Tower, all empty, would be renovated.

There are probably some doubting Thomases [[here) who say "I won't believe it unless I put my finger on the up button [[of the elevator) and it takes me to the top floor which is finished like new."

I remember posting in one of these threads probably last year that the next 10 years [[say 2014 -2024) would be much greater than the past 10 years which was better than the previous 10 years.

I believe I was saying that downtown Detroit had turned the corner and had real momentum. Some argued that point.

That is certainly true. One by one buildings are coming back.

I still like the term: "Detroit 2.0" Detroit is really rebooting and coming back post the 2008 crash and the municipal bankruptcy.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · August-28-15, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

There are probably some doubting Thomases [[here) who say "I won't believe it unless I put my finger on the up button [[of the elevator) and it takes me to the top floor which is finished like new."

I remember posting in one of these threads probably last year that the next 10 years [[say 2014 -2024) would be much greater than the past 10 years which was better than the previous 10 years.

I believe I was saying that downtown Detroit had turned the corner and had real momentum. Some argued that point.

That is certainly true. One by one buildings are coming back.

I still like the term: "Detroit 2.0" Detroit is really rebooting and coming back post the 2008 crash and the municipal bankruptcy.

Its always prudent to be a bit skeptical of development announcements in Detroit; certainly over the years so many things have been announced that went nowhere. However, Mr. Gilbert is not one to drop 30 million without a real game plan. This one will be interesting to follow, for sure.

Given the choice between new construction on the Hudson's block and a rehab of the Book buildings, I'd opt for the latter in a heartbeat.

**emu steve** · August-28-15, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

Its always prudent to be a bit skeptical of development announcements in Detroit; certainly over the years so many things have been announced that went nowhere. However, Mr. Gilbert is not one to drop 30 million without a real game plan. This one will be interesting to follow, for sure.

Given the choice between new construction on the Hudson's block and a rehab of the Book buildings, I'd opt for the latter in a heartbeat.

I hear you, but in the past there wasn't a whole lot of reason to move quickly and spend a ton of money with soft demand for commercial and residential space.

Now the dynamics are completely different.

Downtown is absorbing commercial and residential space as it is added to the inventory.

**night-timer** · September-12-17, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Zads07

Who would've thought, 10 years ago, the Broderick, Whitney, Stott and Book Tower, all empty, would be renovated.

Speaking of the Washington Boulevard turnaround, how long ago was the Westin Hotel [[Book Cadillac) building refurbished and re-opened? I saw interior photos when it was abandoned and it was a mess inside.

**Atticus** · September-12-17, 09:15 AM

On the surface, I am ok with Gilbert's new garage on the site. My question is this:

The proposed garage site has a relatively small footprint, as you could only squeeze in about 50 parking spots per floor. Given that the site is afjacent to a short stub of State Street [[that dead ends), my question is two fold:

1- Will the garage footprint be expanded to include or "bridge" State Street to give more space? I would prefer the bridge scenario, but would not object to using the now unused space of the State Street dead end.

2- Will the vehicle entrance/exit to Washington use this stub of State Street, or will there be a new curb cut on Washington for the entrance/exit? I hope for the former and not the latter in this case.

Thoughts?

**southen** · September-12-17, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Atticus

On the surface, I am ok with Gilbert's new garage on the site. My question is this:

The proposed garage site has a relatively small footprint, as you could only squeeze in about 50 parking spots per floor. Given that the site is afjacent to a short stub of State Street [[that dead ends), my question is two fold:

1- Will the garage footprint be expanded to include or "bridge" State Street to give more space? I would prefer the bridge scenario, but would not object to using the now unused space of the State Street dead end.

2- Will the vehicle entrance/exit to Washington use this stub of State Street, or will there be a new curb cut on Washington for the entrance/exit? I hope for the former and not the latter in this case.

Thoughts?

I think at this point they are factoring that in considering they want to go 12 floors with two floors of retail and 500 spaces. I hope they have multiple car elevators in that thing as it may take awhile to retrieve automobiles, especially considering they mentioned a hotel going into the Book.

If they wanted to expand the garage and bridge State St. they could team up with Karp who owns the building and lot south of the Book Tower.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...-book-cadillac

I am hoping that they start moving on their property soon and that it is a substantial addition to Washington Boulevard.

**hybridy** · November-07-17, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

The proposed garage site has a relatively small footprint, as you could only squeeze in about 50 parking spots per floor.

where did 50 come from? is that your opinion? from what I have seen with this and Hudson block, gilbert is pursuing automated valet parking/retrieval thus no drive lanes or ramps.

**mtburb** · September-12-17, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Speaking of the Washington Boulevard turnaround, how long ago was the Westin Hotel [[Book Cadillac) building refurbished and re-opened? I saw interior photos when it was abandoned and it was a mess inside.

Reopened in 2008 after two years of remodeling.

**Detroit500** · August-28-15, 12:51 PM

I cannot wait and hope this project is expedited. The Hudsons site has just dragged along. Still, I feel more confident than ever that something MIGHT come of this building.

What would I do with it? In an ideal world? Part Hotel, Part Residential condos, Part Shopping Center, some service places like a Gym, Hair Salon, Tailor, etc. Maybe a small hotel but doubtful with the Holiday Inn and Westin right there.

**WPitonya** · August-28-15, 01:12 PM

I work in Historic Preservation and would love for that two story building to be preserved, but I am also realistic; does anyone see that building being demolished for a parking structure to service the Book Building and Tower? If done properly, he could even build over the People Mover facility behind for additional parking. I would hate to see a massive parking structure built over the street combining the two story building's lot with the one across State Street.

**Danny** · August-28-15, 01:18 PM

Way to go, Gilbert! Now buy the Guardian Building from Wayne County Gov't and Michigan Theatre Building from the slumlord Dennis Kelifinos! Let Gilberttown grow.

**hybridy** · August-28-15, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by WPitonya

I work in Historic Preservation and would love for that two story building to be preserved, but I am also realistic; does anyone see that building being demolished for a parking structure to service the Book Building and Tower? If done properly, he could even build over the People Mover facility behind for additional parking. I would hate to see a massive parking structure built over the street combining the two story building's lot with the one across State Street.

preserve the facade of the 2-story annex for street-level storefront and parking built above. span south of state street and continue parking on that surface lot and connect to people mover station.

**WPitonya** · August-28-15, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

preserve the facade of the 2-story annex for street-level storefront and parking built above. span south of state street and continue parking on that surface lot and connect to people mover station.

I agree, but I hope if they continue the parking to the vacant lot to the south, they have a break in the street wall [[even if the garage goes in 15 feet as it goes over State Street).

**Scottathew** · August-28-15, 01:46 PM

I wonder what will happen first... Renovated Book Tower moves in tenants... or Moroun puts last window in the Depot...

**401don** · August-28-15, 03:17 PM

Word of Advice: Add a turbocharger to the power washer!

**archfan** · August-29-15, 03:28 AM

MLive has pictures of the interior - the lobby ceiling is impressive, but needs some work. It also looks like the Graystone Jazz Museum just locked the doors and walked away from their entire collection.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/in...kyscraper.html

**Pam** · August-29-15, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by archfan

MLive has pictures of the interior - the lobby ceiling is impressive, but needs some work. It also looks like the Graystone Jazz Museum just locked the doors and walked away from their entire collection.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/in...kyscraper.html

Wow. I hope they find a good home for that stuff.