E. Larned demolition downtown

[MSUguy]

Driving home noticed the building next to the former Opus One restaurant was gone. Anyone know what is going on?

https://goo.gl/maps/tVmNGm8ZUhq

[canuck]

Is that the one with the wrought Iron Nyawlins style balcony? Shame if it is.

[Mackinaw]

WTF?? Was there a permit?

[MSUguy]

Is that the one with the wrought Iron Nyawlins style balcony? Shame if it is.

Yes, it is the one with the balcony.

[archfan]

It looks like they also took down the small building next to it, with the Goodrich Tires ghost ad.

[Gistok]

I am not at all surprised. Development drives up land values... and even built and occupied structures are in danger if the price is right.

In the 1960s and 1970s as the development that was happening in other American cities was NOT happening in Detroit... it's one reason that we have so many historic downtown theatres that still survive. Many cities [[such as Philly, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington DC) have few to none old downtown theatres that survived, and later converted to performance venues.

Now with development heating up... there may be a lot of buildings of less than [[arbitrary number) 5 stories that may come down for something bigger.

The Ilitch's now own a lot of empty land.... will be interesting to see something we've never seen before... them selling land or a building for other folks to develop. That Fine Arts Building facade would be a good place to start!

[emu steve]

I am not at all surprised. Development drives up land values... and even built and occupied structures are in danger if the price is right.

In the 1960s and 1970s as the development that was happening in other American cities was NOT happening in Detroit... it's one reason that we have so many historic downtown theatres that still survive. Many cities [[such as Philly, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington DC) have few to none old downtown theatres that survived, and later converted to performance venues.

Now with development heating up... there may be a lot of buildings of less than [[arbitrary number) 5 stories that may come down for something bigger.

The Ilitch's now own a lot of empty land.... will be interesting to see something we've never seen before... them selling land or a building for other folks to develop. That Fine Arts Building facade would be a good place to start!

A while ago someone started a thread asking when we will know Detroit is back.

This sentence is a clue that downtown Detroit is 'back':

"I am not at all surprised. Development drives up land values... and even built and occupied structures are in danger if the price is right."

Or when parking lots become office buildings with UNDERground parking.

When those things happen the development boom is well underway.

One see the increased value of land and how to best utilize that land.

[canuck]

I am not at all surprised. Development drives up land values... and even built and occupied structures are in danger if the price is right.

In the 1960s and 1970s as the development that was happening in other American cities was NOT happening in Detroit... it's one reason that we have so many historic downtown theatres that still survive. Many cities [[such as Philly, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington DC) have few to none old downtown theatres that survived, and later converted to performance venues.

Now with development heating up... there may be a lot of buildings of less than [[arbitrary number) 5 stories that may come down for something bigger.

The Ilitch's now own a lot of empty land.... will be interesting to see something we've never seen before... them selling land or a building for other folks to develop. That Fine Arts Building facade would be a good place to start!

Someone be kind enough to drop something onto that gorgeous parking lot in front of said goner. Make us forget there was once a good looking building that contributed to the feel of a real Downtown street. That is where Detroit shoots itself in the foot Big time, repetitively. The city is hungry for new stuff and will handout permits to demolish significant structures without studying the consequences to the existing fabric.

[Honky Tonk]

Someone be kind enough to drop something onto that gorgeous parking lot in front of said goner. Make us forget there was once a good looking building that contributed to the feel of a real Downtown street. That is where Detroit shoots itself in the foot Big time, repetitively. The city is hungry for new stuff and will handout permits to demolish significant structures without studying the consequences to the existing fabric.

We are! A gorgeous 125 spot parking lot, with jet black asphalt and bright yellow lines. Buildings make little money compare to sports coliseums and parking lots. Besides, how can you compare the "feel" of a building to the feel you get from game day? Go Team!

[canuck]

We are! A gorgeous 125 spot parking lot, with jet black asphalt and bright yellow lines. Buildings make little money compare to sports coliseums and parking lots. Besides, how can you compare the "feel" of a building to the feel you get from game day? Go Team!

Yes, and the enthusiasts that applaud this demolition see it as a good omen pointing to higher property values. The tailgating parties conjugate car and landmass. They don't have to worry about finding their way through a city devoid of landmarks, as long as a GPS is handy.

[Mackinaw]

WhoTF applauds or is okay with this? Are our heads not up our own assess? Context people. Demo'ing the little to make way for the big makes a lot of sense [[though still isn't w/o controversy) in New York, but half of our downtown is already surface parking and buildable. We have billionaires with NO PLANS for huge swaths of central land [[Monroe Block, to start).

Assuming that a substantial development is going onto this parcel-- and that's a big assumption-- this is still problematic because [[1) an interested developer had numerous adjacent empty lots to chose from and [[2) the building is not insignificant in what it adds to the street/neighborhood. Each historic brick really does matter when it comes to character preservation. Brooklyn wouldn't be famous without its 1800s, 3-4 story, perpetually-in-need-of-work brownstones. It's not irrational on paper to tear them all down and replace with tall buildings. But that would obviously be catastrophic, and, simply put, would rip the Brooklyn out of Brooklyn. And you can repeat that statement with all your favorite-visited cities: Boston, Charleston, New Orleans, Montreal. The greatness comes from the overall effect that comes when preserved buildings, including small and simple ones, mingle with the modern urban context. Obviously some of these cities have exceptionally well maintained districts of uniformly historic structures [[ours are mostly gone), but a lot of their greatness comes in the mix of style and ages [[Jane Jacobs has a whole chapter on this), and that is something Detroit is in great position to achieve, provided we don't tear everything down first.

In Detroit historic buildings are a much, much rarer and important commodity than most other cities. All the more reason to preserve. We are savages if we continue to let this great commodity-- whether big or small, grandiose or simple-- go to waste.

Was this building even blighted? What year did it date from? Was there any official historic designation?

[1953]

Mackinac - very well said.

[Gistok]

I agree completely Mackinaw.... but history keeps repeating itself....

http://gizmodo.com/9-of-the-most-bea...own-1524596913

Also in 2007 the Drake Hotel in NYC, one of the city's jewel hotels.... was razed for 432 Park Ave.... the 1000+ ft. tallest residential buidling in NYC.

http://www.restaurantdiningcritiques...010/01/page/2/

[swingline]

Was this building even blighted? What year did it date from? Was there any official historic designation?

This exterior of these early 20th century buildings had no indications of blight. They were not included in any locally designated historic district. They appeared vacant but secure for at least the last 5 years. Both probably needed some roof work. Certainly any re-use would have required a significant investment, not unlike any similar buildings in any city. They were nowhere close to being blighted or structurally unsound.

Parking is probably a permitted use by right for that property. There you have it.

[Mackinaw]

Thanks. Sounds about right.

All of the otherwise-positive, governmental bloviating about "cool cities" with designated "national treasures" and new initiatives to make a walkable, attactive downtown which would seemingly re-create what existed before [[see: the contrived "Paradise Valley" designation for Harmonie Park), falls SO F'ING FLAT when the same government [[at all levels) is failing to take basic steps to prevent other urban assets from disappearing in a heartbeat. We just can't get ahead. This week brought the promise of the Vanity Ballroom being brought back from the brink, yet we had to watch a contributing building NOT on the brink of ruin disappear in a heartbeat. "Bricktown" has very few bricks left now.

And I'd love to know how this demo was publicized and how it snuck past Preservation Detroit and co.

Most of all, there needs to be a moratorium on parking lots and an immediate phase out [[subject to standard grandfathering rights) to all surface parking zoning in the CBD.

[Mackinaw]

Also, some property info from Loveland:

Address	541 E LARNED
Parcel ID	03000062.
Owner	541 E LARNED LLC
Zoning	General Services District
Tax Status	DELINQUENT
Taxes Due	16179.48
Zip	48226
Ward	03
Subdivision	MORE THAN ONE SUBDIVISION
Legal Description	N--E LARNED 78 EXC W 25 FT BEAUBIEN FARM L6 P475-8 CITY RECORDS, W C R 3/3 9 EXC E 8 FT FRONT BG E 16 FT REAR ANTOINE BEAUBIEN FARM L27 P197-9 DEEDS, W C R 3/4 57 IRREG
2016 Assessed Value	150000
2016 Total Value	150000
Improved Value	1
Last Sale Price	620000
Last Sale Date	2004-12-28
Tax Status	TAXABLE
Previous Tax Status	TAXABLE
Tax Payer	541 E LARNED LLC
Tax Payer Address	547 E JEFFERSON
Tax Payer City	DETROIT
Tax Payer State	MI
State Equalized Value	150000
Land Value	411840
Total Parcel Square Footage	6864
Total Parcel Acreage	0.158
Commercial Floor Area	13680
Residential Floor Area	0
Commercial Year Built	1929

Year	Tax	Fees	Due	Status
2015	$14,981.00	$1,198.48	$16,179.48	Delinquent

2:34 PM, FEB 6 2014

Is there a structure on the site?	Yes
Occupancy	Occupied
What is the site used for?	Commercial
What is the condition of the structure?	Good
Is the structure fire damaged?	No
Is there dumping on the site?	No

[Mackinaw]

Searched for: 541 E. LARNED, LLC
ID Num: B6088Y
Name:541 E. LARNED, LLC
Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company
Resident Agent: JULIE KADO
Registered Office Address: 5364 W DOHERTY W BLOOMFIELD MI 48323
Mailing/Office Address:
Formation/Qualification Date:12-12-2005
Jurisdiction of Origin:MICHIGAN
Managed by: Members
Status: ACTIVE, BUT NOT IN GOOD STANDING AS OF 2-16-2016 Date: Present

[Gistok]

And I'd love to know how this demo was publicized and how it snuck past Preservation Detroit and co.

It probably snuck past Preservation Detroit the same way it snuck past you. If the buildings are not on any register, and not announced.... they would likely not know about it either. Preservation Detroit has a staff of 2. An overworked Executive Director and a secretary. They depend on voluntary help, like many non-profits.

[Richard]

Wow,when the link was first posted I followed the link,I was thinking it was referring to the smaller one to the left and thought okay nothing really contributing,then I thought the one next to it was a cool New Orleans style building and was glad it was not that one.

Now it just plain sucks,and I do not like to swear,Usualy,if that is the one demolished.Unbeliveable.

[Gistok]

I guess we should be looking at buildings around downtown that are less than 5 stories tall as the first ones to be razed when the downtown demand for residential [[or even commercial) space increases. I can see buildings such as Nick's Gas Lamp have their days numbered once something is built on the Statler block. Nick's is the only building on that block...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ni...530419!6m1!1e1

As for the sentiment that parking lots should be the first to be reused. That would be a wonderful idea... but we have to realize that it's all about money. And if a parking lot owner wants way more money than a lot with a building on it.... guess which is going to purchased first.

It's the price of prosperity... as well as the old saying... "you better watch what you ask for... it may not be what you want!"

Not every building downtown is of the quality of the Silvers Building [[People's State Bank)... and the preservation community will have to choose their battles carefully. But there are a lot of non-discript old historic buildings downtown... that may not survive into the 2020's.

But there are properties, such as the cabbage patch on the site of the Lafayette Building, the Madison-Lenox parking lot, and the modernesque [[but closed) 3 story glass building on the Woodward side of the Guardian Building block... that should become prime locations for redevelopment [[if the Ilitch's ever give up any land).

[kathy2trips]

Yes, it is the one with the balcony.

Yes, I suspect it is Necrotizing Ilitchitis, a contagious disorder specific to Detroit historical properties, especially those of historical, artistic or aesthetic value. A similar bacterium has been located in other cities under other names, i.e. Necrotizing Farbitis [[Texas).

Once a property becomes infected with the dreaded pathogen, there is little that can be done to save the structure. About 50 - 80% of cases also involve court-order resistant Urbanococcus Renewalus which can affect other properties as well.

If the property is ever revitalized out of parking lot inertia, its appearance and historical significance cannot be distinguished from that of other cities.

Hence: "21st Century Conformist". It more or less resembles this:

[Richard]

One would think with the land mass of Detroit they could build new in another section,kinda like two cities within one.

One stays preserved and the other becomes the new section.Most cities go through that process of demolition because they are land locked and can only build up not out,so every square inch has value,not seeing that Detroit is forced up and not out.

[Richard]

Yes, I suspect it is Necrotizing Ilitchitis, a contagious disorder specific to Detroit historical properties, especially those of historical, artistic or aesthetic value. A similar bacterium has been located in other cities under other names, i.e. Necrotizing Farbitis [[Texas).

Once a property becomes infected with the dreaded pathogen, there is little that can be done to save the structure. About 50 - 80% of cases also involve court-order resistant Urbanococcus Renewalus which can affect other properties as well.

If the property is ever revitalized out of parking lot inertia, its appearance and historical significance cannot be distinguished from that of other cities.

Hence: "21st Century Conformist". It more or less resembles this:

That looks like Soviet Union government built housing,with a little color added.

Come stumbling home drunk and you would not be able to find your house.

They are building like those in downtown Tampa also,3 million for a penthouse in a building that looks like a pastel colored cardboard box with some winders stuck in the side.

[canuck]

That looks like Soviet Union government built housing,with a little color added.

Come stumbling home drunk and you would not be able to find your house.

They are building like those in downtown Tampa also,3 million for a penthouse in a building that looks like a pastel colored cardboard box with some winders stuck in the side.

That's what the Soviets wanted you to do: walk into the wrong house and send you to a gulag for messing up. That's why the national pastime is a friendly game of vodka

[swingline]

Searched for: 541 E. LARNED, LLC
ID Num: B6088Y
Name:541 E. LARNED, LLC
Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company
Resident Agent: JULIE KADO
Registered Office Address: 5364 W DOHERTY W BLOOMFIELD MI 48323
Mailing/Office Address:
Formation/Qualification Date:12-12-2005
Jurisdiction of Origin:MICHIGAN
Managed by: Members
Status: ACTIVE, BUT NOT IN GOOD STANDING AS OF 2-16-2016 Date: Present

Unless recently sold, this property is owned by the infamous former Cobo Center building services contractor who testified at trial to personally delivering cash bribes to our former Mayor.