Penobscot building

[Richard]

Yes, the 90% of the planet that hates Trump must do so for "deep psychological things going on" as opposed to the fact that the most powerful position on the planet was just given to a deranged, p-grabbing idiot.

So are you upset because he likes P instead of D ?

P as in not Penobscot.

90% of the planet is a bit of an imaginative stretch.

[Zads07]

Getting back on topic, the owners of the Penobscot has been neglecting the building on the outside. It's very clear to everyone that they aren't interested in keeping up their properties, just look at the Silverdome they've owned for years.

[Bham1982]

So are you upset because he likes P instead of D ?O

Oh, thanks for reminding us- Trump and his brain-dead deplorables are virulent homophobes too.

90% of the planet is a bit of an imaginative stretch.

Or more likely it's a gross underestimate. Around 20% of Americans voted for him, and his favorability ratings in most first world countries hover around 5%.

Outside of Russia, Syria, Eastern European Neo Nazis and Middle East terrorist camps, it isn't clear who would support a deranged imbecile controlling nukes and threatening global annihilation.

[Honky Tonk]

Oh, thanks for reminding us- Trump and his brain-dead deplorables are virulent homophobes too.





Or more likely it's a gross underestimate. Around 20% of Americans voted for him, and his favorability ratings in most first world countries hover around 5%.

Outside of Russia, Syria, Eastern European Neo Nazis and Middle East terrorist camps, it isn't clear who would support a deranged imbecile controlling nukes and threatening global annihilation.

There, there, Bham, Mrs. Clinton will bake cookies for you and all the new immigrants. Later, you can all gather around her PC @ her feet, while she reads you classified documents from her personal e-mail.

[Towne Cluber]

Bham, given your persona and history, it is painfully obvious that your latest act of liberalism and Detroit boosterism is nothing more than a charade. Unfortunately this act provides you an opportunity to take cheap shots at the vast majority of Metro Detroit and Michigan, which look down upon -- while also trying to appear intellectual.

[1953]

Someone asked above who sold these schmucks this building. Wasn't it those same guys out of NY who pitched that building for the Cadillac Square site a few years ago [[the one that went no where quickly)? I think it was North ____ something or other.

[Richard]

Someone asked above who sold these schmucks this building. Wasn't it those same guys out of NY who pitched that building for the Cadillac Square site a few years ago [[the one that went no where quickly)? I think it was North ____ something or other.

1988 Capstone from Cali bought for $70 million

2002 to 2005 LNR owned Miami
2005 Northern group from NY bought that and the bank $34 million

2005 Northern defaulted so it went back to LNR who the sold for $5 million cash via internet auction to current owner.

Forgot what happened to the bank after the push to demolish,it was always included in the package.

The red ball on the top is lit by neon which is now old system that becomes expensive to fix,if you can even find someone anymore to repair it and unless completely renewed constantly is in need of repairs constantly

I ran 150' of neon and it cost 250 per month in electric alone but did my own repairs on it.

My guess is that it gets converted to LED which is a shame because you just cannot replicate the sexiness of neon.

[K-slice]

THE BALL IS LIT! AND IT'S... Pink..?
Yes as I was riding the Q tonight I saw a strange pink glow in the sky and the orb is lit with some kind of pink LED bulbs and there is no strobe to it...

[Honky Tonk]

The result of buying home improvement materials @ Dollar Giant.

[connie jockran]

As Gilbert and others continue to rehab former jewels, the building is feeling like it's falling behind quickly.

[David L]

Getting back to the Penobscot, anyone know if things are looking better? What is the occupancy rate? Are the orb and exterior lighting working again? Always wondered why Gilbert didn't buy it.

[stasu1213]

Nope the Penobscot is not looking any better. The owner is probably using it as a cash cow and making little use of it. At least Gilbert renovates the buildings he had purchased.

[Gistok]

^ Maybe someone in city government doesn't want the building fixed.... HA! ...just kidding.

2 years after Bham1982 made all those nasty comments about Trump... well I hate to say it... he was spot on. Our commander-in-thief... is a lying racist narcissistic nitwit....

[Zacha341]

Does the Penobscot have one of those mobile signal tower things on it? If so the landlord is collecting a hefty fee for that. I learned recently that if these buildings just south of rotting completely have towers they get paid! Billboards too! There's a 'spectacular size' [[near the largest format in outdoor overhand signage) on the property of a closed liquor store on Clairmount and the Lodge Fwy that has been there for decades.

Pays the owner of the building big money rather the building is in operation, kept up or not. So long as item is on the property.

Nope the Penobscot is not looking any better. The owner is probably using it as a cash cow and making little use of it. At least Gilbert renovates the buildings he had purchased.

[ParisianLesion]

Getting back to the Penobscot, anyone know if things are looking better? What is the occupancy rate? Are the orb and exterior lighting working again? Always wondered why Gilbert didn't buy it.

Well, the orb seems to be in the best shape it's been in in a very long time... completely and consistently lit. As for tenants, I don't know what the occupancy rate is but there are some first rate tenants in the first floor arcade area.

[DetroitGuy423]

Getting back to the Penobscot, anyone know if things are looking better? What is the occupancy rate? Are the orb and exterior lighting working again? Always wondered why Gilbert didn't buy it.

The red ball looks great, but all the recessed/tiered lighting at the setbacks is all off except for one light that is green and looks ridiculous. Hopefully the owner is doing something to get it all working again.

[swingline]

The Penobscot Building is still scuffling along. Occupancy is probably around 60% and Triple Properties is probably making a little profit because its capital investment upon purchase was so low. Rest assured that the building still has tens of million$ of substantially deferred maintenance. Consistent elevator, plumbing and HVAC problems continue and these issues mostly block TP's constant effort to raise rents to the levels it sees Bedrock getting in its renovated buildings. The Penobscot remains in that purgatory caused by TP's unwillingness to make a serious capital investment in the building which results in its inability to raise rents.

[Gistok]

As was the case with so many buildings that were "modernized" in the 1950s... the Penobscot Building had it's entrance lobby split up by floors.

Here is a rare image of the way the building looked when it was first built. Nowhere near as fancy as the Guardian Building, but the original multifloor lobby as built. By the look of it, it's possible that everything still exists behind drop ceilings and covered walls.

[Molly Maide Srv]

This.

https://youtu.be/IGbvF1yBsv8

[NSortzi]

As was the case with so many buildings that were "modernized" in the 1950s... the Penobscot Building had it's entrance lobby split up by floors.

Here is a rare image of the way the building looked when it was first built. Nowhere near as fancy as the Guardian Building, but the original multifloor lobby as built. By the look of it, it's possible that everything still exists behind drop ceilings and covered walls.

I always wondered why the lobby for such an important building is so bland. Thank you for posting this photo. Any idea when the modernization was done?

[Molly Maide Srv]

That main lobby is still intact as second floor office space. It's closed to the public for the security of the second floor tenant. The basement has tunnels that go beyond the block. The top floors can only be accessed by transferring elevators in a sky lobby, they're mostly abandoned and vacant. The Penobscot is a b**** to clean.

[Gistok]

I always wondered why the lobby for such an important building is so bland. Thank you for posting this photo. Any idea when the modernization was done?

NSortzi... sometimes it becomes very hard to find info on when a change was made to buildings downtown.

I accidentally stumbled on when the David Whitney Building had its' external modernization, came across that by accident. In 1959 the Otto Preminger film ANATOMY OF A MURDER [[Jimmy Stewart, Ben Gazarra, Lee Remick) had its' world premier in Detroit at the United Artists Theatre nearby. It was in July, and the characters were in a motorcade that came down Woodward and across Grand Circus Park. In the footage, on the way to the United Artists, you can see scaffolding covering the entirety of the David Whitney Building.

Now mercifully, it's been restored to its' 1915 appearance, a crown jewel by famous American architect Daniel Burnham. Fortunately the 4 story opulent atrium of the 18 story David Whitney was never altered... just restored recently.

[archfan]

...
Now mercifully, it's been restored to its' 1915 appearance, a crown jewel by famous American architect Daniel Burnham. Fortunately the 4 story opulent atrium of the 18 story David Whitney was never altered... just restored recently.

That atrium is awesome, and it was beautifully restored.

If I were going to do a tour of Detroit lobbies, David Whitney would definitely be on it, but probably not the Penobscot.

[archfan]

That main lobby is still intact as second floor office space. It's closed to the public for the security of the second floor tenant. The basement has tunnels that go beyond the block. The top floors can only be accessed by transferring elevators in a sky lobby, they're mostly abandoned and vacant. The Penobscot is a b**** to clean.

When you're on the second floor, can you still see features from Gistok's photo?

[swingline]

When you're on the second floor, can you still see features from Gistok's photo?

Yes. The coffered ceiling still exists.