Hudson's Site Building Thread

[angry_fred]

We're on a forum, about Detroit, in a thread about a specific construction project! This is our place to nerd out for the sake of the people that we know in the real life that aren't as interested!

Nailed it!!!

[bigboat]

The newer [[blue-white) version of the caisson drilling machine has become very tired with alot of white diesel smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. According to what has been posted on this forum they are forecast to be completed drilling caissons for the tower portion in January. Maybe Bedrock will announce what the "new" plan is for our Christmas/New Year holiday!

[MrChrome]

https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm...SONS%20NAC.pdf

I don't think this has been posted in here yet. Some new information.

[Atticus]

https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm...SONS%20NAC.pdf

I don't think this has been posted in here yet. Some new information.

Thanks for sharing.

For the the tall-height hopefuls [[myself included) it is disappointing to see their current rendering showing the tower similar in height to the Ally Tower. Obviously that is just me eyeballing the height on their “use programming” slide [[the one that should hotel uses on the lower half and residential on the upper half.). Note there was no slide that showed floor count or provided height details, so I just had to “eyeball estimate it” from the diagram. But either way, it is shown far shorter than previously proposed, and probably shorter than the RenCen, sadly.

[EGrant]

Someone on Reddit did a comparison: https://i.imgur.com/EkljPan.gif

[rb336]

Thanks for sharing.

For the the tall-height hopefuls [[myself included) it is disappointing to see their current rendering showing the tower similar in height to the Ally Tower. Obviously that is just me eyeballing the height on their “use programming” slide

I see nothing from which even an "eyeball" comparison between the two could be made

[DetBill]

Someone on Reddit did a comparison: https://i.imgur.com/EkljPan.gif

Not sure if Im interpreting it properly but would it not be approx 750 feet ??
That would still make it taller than Ren Cen 727 feet ? Would be a smart move by Bedrock,, they get to please and appease all of us tallest building in Detroit seekers, yet still shrink it down by 160 + feet and save lots of money compared to the last proposal...A very good move if they did that..Personally, I would still be pleased with the final build at 750 feet approx..

[Atticus]

Not sure if Im interpreting it properly but would it not be approx 750 feet ??
That would still make it taller than Ren Cen 727 feet ? Would be a smart move by Bedrock,, they get to please and appease all of us tallest building in Detroit seekers, yet still shrink it down by 160 + feet and save lots of money compared to the last proposal...A very good move if they did that..Personally, I would still be pleased with the final build at 750 feet approx..

I was really hoping for at least 815’. That would make it the tallest building in the Midwest outside of Chicago and Cleveland. There are a bunch of towers in the 750’ to 815’ range in other competitive markets. And yes, I will fully admit it is a pissing contest. But given the reputation and other perception issues that Detroit deals with in competing for business, building a tower slightly taller than the neighboring cities would be a big boost for the local ego.

Unrelated, but the towers of the new Gordie Howe Bridge are also being built to 750’ in height. That was announced by the contractor in a presentation recently, but it didn’t get picked up much by the local media.

[NSortzi]

I think you guys are looking too far into it. There’s no actual statement of height that I can see. Those “renderings” are really no more than massings suggesting the design of the tower and the height shown really shouldn’t be taken literally. It’s just to give an idea of what it would look like amongst its neighbors.

[stinkytofu]

I know I'm in the minority, but I've long preferred it fall in the 700+ish foot range rather than 900+. If it is too large it's going to look awkwardly out of place in the skyline.

[Dmberko11]

I know I'm in the minority, but I've long preferred it fall in the 700+ish foot range rather than 900+. If it is too large it's going to look awkwardly out of place in the skyline.

Then they’ll just have to build more tall buildings and boom! Awkwardness goes away...

[Gistok]

I know I'm in the minority, but I've long preferred it fall in the 700+ish foot range rather than 900+. If it is too large it's going to look awkwardly out of place in the skyline.

Go back thru this looong thread and see the images that photoshopped a 900 ft. tower on the Hudson's site as viewed from the edge of downtown on Gratiot, Woodward, and Grand River... the images do not look awkward with a tall tower....

[Metro25]

Look closer at the PDF you guys. That image of the tower is new. Probably the latest version and it looks about the same height as before.

[JK313]

Look closer at the PDF you guys. That image of the tower is new. Probably the latest version and it looks about the same height as before.

I noticed a few minor changes, but it’s essentially the same as the previous renderings. However, since they haven’t found a hotel operator yet/decide on a number of residential units, the height is anyone’s guess. Based on the square footage of the 912ft tower, it would need a couple hundred residential units and around a 1,000 room hotel to get to that height.

[Metro25]

I see you missed the point. That is the latest render they've released and is likely the most current design of the building. They've plainly outlined all the design changes they've gone through in the last several months in the document. They're obviously committed to the same or around similar height and form.

So for all the wild speculation based on flimsy ideas we got no dramatic changes. Maybe just accept that this is what we're getting? We have no idea what stage they're in with a hotel operator either, could be several of them lined up or could be in late stages.

[EGrant]

The rendering is slightly different and the massing image is very different. My guess is they are still trying to land a 1,000+ room hotel [[which would allow for the 900ft. height), and will wait until the last possible moment to give up on that goal.

I think the original press push around the 900 ft. tower was to generate some buzz to hotel operators.

[Lowell]

https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm...SONS%20NAC.pdf

I don't think this has been posted in here yet. Some new information.

Great find Mr. Chrome!

For those who haven't checked it out, this is a comprehensive update with great pictures and much minutia beyond the construction, covering things like Detroit participation and affordable housing issues.

I also learned and really like the fact that there will be a forested atrium in the office/retail tower.

[stasu1213]

Doesn't work here in downtown Toronto where there are over 100 cranes currently. Heck here in the suburbs there are 12 condos of over 20 stories under construction just next to our mall.

Toronto doesn’t have backwards thinking elected officials and city planners to throw a monkey wrench in any plans that will move Toronto in a advancing direction such as Detroit has

[stasu1213]

I see the flag flying on top of a crane. It’s a positive sign that things are about to go vertical

[bigboat]

There are many experts on this forum and was wondering why the final plan cannot be finalized as of yet. Bedrock owns the Stott Tower that I believe is mostly residential and they are also doing the City Modern development. Is the Stott completely leased and is there still demand for expensive high rise construction in downtown Detroit for rental apartments. Something economically has changed to allow Bedrock to change now even the Monroe Block development and more than likely will be scaled back also. The proposed "Mid" development is now also stalled and the demand for new expensive apartments has now possibly stalled. Hopefully, that development will start soon, but not too sure if I have high hopes for that one.

[stasu1213]

There are many experts on this forum and was wondering why the final plan cannot be finalized as of yet. Bedrock owns the Stott Tower that I believe is mostly residential and they are also doing the City Modern development. Is the Stott completely leased and is there still demand for expensive high rise construction in downtown Detroit for rental apartments. Something economically has changed to allow Bedrock to change now even the Monroe Block development and more than likely will be scaled back also. The proposed "Mid" development is now also stalled and the demand for new expensive apartments has now possibly stalled. Hopefully, that development will start soon, but not too sure if I have high hopes for that one.

I am not an expert but my question is didn’t Bedrock and Dan Gilbert look at the economic forecast when designing this development? Detroit, as I had posted a few years back, has a history of announcing developments that included tall buildings that reached up to 800 feet but plans changed due to thee economy. The Fisher building was originally designed to be 800 plus feet in height. The Book Tower was originally designed to be around the same height as the Fisher Building was designed to be. One would wonder why the Chrysler Building, which is 1000 feet or so high, hasn’t put their skyscraper in Downtown Detroit instead of Manhattan. That if this the same Chrysler of Chrysler Corporation. I credit Gilbert for almost single handily turning downtown around. However, he should had been honest with himself and know that unlike other cities that have a true Metropolis Detroit just have a smaller downtown as comparing to probably Toledo. Maybe build the low rise buildings that are to be built on the site first then save space for the tall 900 ft plus skyscraper to be added, The rendering of the retail part of the development still look appealing and could be a great addiction to the street wall that line Woodward from Campus Martin’s to Grand Circus Park. Maybe Bedrock was self deceived by the influx of people working, living, and playing downtown that the planners thought that Detroit was ripe for a 900ft tall building. Also, The RenCen will not be dethroned from being the tallest building in Michigan. I am still routing for a building to be taller than the RenCen that will have a much better design than the former gothic looking Comerica Tower or the half Pentagon shaped Compuware building

[Metro25]

Bedrock aren't amateur goons. This site has been in planning for over a decade.

Your assertions are strange. Detroit is a true metropolis of millions in measure and downtown Detroit is miles ahead of downtown Toledo.

[Metro25]

There are many experts on this forum and was wondering why the final plan cannot be finalized as of yet. Bedrock owns the Stott Tower that I believe is mostly residential and they are also doing the City Modern development. Is the Stott completely leased and is there still demand for expensive high rise construction in downtown Detroit for rental apartments. Something economically has changed to allow Bedrock to change now even the Monroe Block development and more than likely will be scaled back also. The proposed "Mid" development is now also stalled and the demand for new expensive apartments has now possibly stalled. Hopefully, that development will start soon, but not too sure if I have high hopes for that one.

The mid is working on a new timeline for brownfield financing. Has nothing to do with the economy. Who said anything about demand for expensive apartments being stalled? There is no evidence of that.

Something like what? Every report on Gilbert's empire are that it's smashing revenue and profit records. Selling billion dollar casinos. They have more then enough resources in an ongoing good economy.

[Metro25]

One would wonder why the Chrysler Building, which is 1000 feet or so high, hasn’t put their skyscraper in Downtown Detroit instead of Manhattan.

And it's stuff like that that really makes me wonder about some of you.

Chrysler did not build the Chrysler building in New York. It was a speculative office building what was about to stay unfinished when the great depression hit. The Chrysler family took over and named the building after themselves. Has nothing to do with Detroit or building future skyscrapers in Detroit.

Ok It seems I cleared out all the nonsense for today.

[EGrant]

Chrysler did not build the Chrysler building in New York. It was a speculative office building what was about to stay unfinished when the great depression hit. The Chrysler family took over and named the building after themselves. Has nothing to do with Detroit or building future skyscrapers in Detroit.

And the Book Tower and Fischer Tower plans were scaled back by The Great Depression, not sure what that has to do with modern day Detroit. Every city in the world has their fair share of unrealized renderings; Detroit is not an outlier.

I would imagine a company that deals in the bond markets, interest rates, and the Federal Reserve on an hourly basis on the mortgage side of things did in fact, look at the economic forecast.