Park Avenue Building Renovation and the Rise of Grand Circus Park

**Lowell** · August-26-20, 10:37 AM

On a downtown drive-about last Thursday, I noticed that the last of Grand Circus Park's eyesores, the Park Avenue Building, is being worked on by renovation specialists Grunwell-Cashero. I'm wondering if anyone knows what is going on/planned. I placed call to the company. The receptionist, who did not know the answer, took my number so hopefully I'll be able to answer that if no one else can do it first.

As you can see the windows have been removed at this point. It is a beautiful building and I'm happy to see that it apparently will be restored.

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This shows some of the bas relief work.
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The next door Briggs Houze appears to be bustling with customers enjoying outdoor dining at PAO.

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**Lowell** · August-26-20, 10:55 AM

Meanwhile to the south the slow-moving City Club Apartments continue to take shape. Behind it is the renovated Detroit City Apartments [formerly Trolley Plaza] and the nearing-completion renovated Book Tower. To the right is the renovated Philip Houze by the same company as did Briggs Houze.

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**MSUguy** · August-26-20, 11:02 AM

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/4/27...inds-new-owner

**Lowell** · August-26-20, 11:14 AM

From MSUguy's link...

"Crain’s reports that Rino Soave [[no relation to Anthony Soave, developer of Elton Park) is the new owner. The $7-10 million redevelopment plans include 75-100 apartments, plus retail space on the ground level. Redevelopment will start next year."

That article was from Apr 27, 2018, so they are a year behind from that prediction.

**DetroitSoldier** · August-26-20, 11:26 AM

Not to hijack the thread, but if you haven't been to Pao, check it out ASAP. The drinks and the small bites are good, but the setting is incredible, as it is the remains of the oriental theater lobby.

Back on topic...this development will bring much needed foot traffic to the GCP area.

**Lowell** · August-26-20, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitSoldier

Not to hijack the thread, but if you haven't been to Pao, check it out ASAP. The drinks and the small bites are good, but the setting is incredible, as it is the remains of the oriental theater lobby.

Back on topic...this development will bring much needed foot traffic to the GCP area.

You're right. I changed the title to make it more about the rise of Grand Circus Park.

I always thought of Grand Circus as a smile with teeth. As of now there are only three missing teeth missing teeth in a mouth once filled willed with rotting cavities--the temporary filling of the Ilitch Fine Arts Theater facade, their United Artist Building and corner lot, and the NE lot between the Tiger's stadium [Adams] and Madison.

**Gistok** · August-26-20, 11:40 AM

It was fortunate that the former slumlord owner of the Park Ave. Building expired before the building did...

Otherwise his building would have met the same fate as his Charlevoix Building did next door...

**ABetterDetroit** · August-26-20, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

--the temporary filling of the Ilitch Fine Arts Theater facade...

Temporary??? It’s been more than a decade, far from “temporary”. It’s more like the usual Ilitch disrespect for their neighbors. They had a long economic expansion to do something with that property that would contribute to the GCP area.

**Satiricalivory** · August-26-20, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

It was fortunate that the former slumlord owner of the Park Ave. Building expired before the building did...

Otherwise his building would have met the same fate as his Charlevoix Building did next door...

Seriously. I don't understand how he was allowed to just sit on such a prominent blight for so long. Why did the city allow this? And why did he never just sell the thing? It could have been renovated years ago.

We have such a problem with slumlords, it's not a lack of demand anymore or even financing, just soo many slumlords who love slumming it up.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · August-26-20, 01:24 PM

I love seeing all this work but “Houze” really bothers me.

**DetroitSoldier** · August-26-20, 04:16 PM

Might as well include this one in this thread as well. GCP and Park Ave will look a lot different with a 600+ more people in the area everyday [[400 at Chemical bank, 100+ at Park Ave bldg, 100+ at the new Hilton hotel).

https://www.freep.com/story/money/bu...it/5631555002/

**KnnNike** · August-26-20, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

Meanwhile to the south the slow-moving City Club Apartments continue to take shape. Behind it is the renovated Detroit City Apartments [formerly Trolley Plaza] and the nearing-completion renovated Book Tower. To the right is the renovated Philip Houze by the same company as did Briggs Houze.

Attachment 40754

On what basis are you saying "nearing-completion renovated Book Tower"? I've heard another 2-3 years

**Dexlin** · August-26-20, 05:15 PM

Lowell, the picture in your second post isn't showing up.

**Dexlin** · August-26-20, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Satiricalivory

Seriously. I don't understand how he was allowed to just sit on such a prominent blight for so long. Why did the city allow this? And why did he never just sell the thing? It could have been renovated years ago.

We have such a problem with slumlords, it's not a lack of demand anymore or even financing, just soo many slumlords who love slumming it up.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. The city can't just take buildings from owners. They can fine them if they are dangerous to the public or blighted - and I'm sure the former owner got fined. But so long as the taxpayer is paying their taxes, they can't just take a building unless it's for eminent domain for a project.

**Satiricalivory** · August-26-20, 05:41 PM

Was he paying taxes? It seems insane for an owner to just keep paying taxes on a blighted building generating zero revenue so I doubt it. Didn't he own it for decades? Unless the taxes were insanely low.

If there were enough unpaid fines on the property couldn't they take it into foreclosure? The city could have also sued him. I think the city has options to take on slumlords like him but they never seem to do it.

**Lowell** · August-26-20, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dexlin

Lowell, the picture in your second post isn't showing up.

Fixed see above. Thank you.

**gumby** · August-27-20, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

I love seeing all this work but “Houze” really bothers me.

I too hate the "Houze" branding. It sounds like a high school kid trying to look cool is in charge of their marketing. That said I love all the work that they have done.

**Satiricalivory** · August-27-20, 10:11 AM

I agree ^ although that may be just me getting old.

**CR75** · August-27-20, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dexlin

I'm not sure what you're talking about. The city can't just take buildings from owners. They can fine them if they are dangerous to the public or blighted - and I'm sure the former owner got fined. But so long as the taxpayer is paying their taxes, they can't just take a building unless it's for eminent domain for a project.

A vacancy tax would do the job.

**DetroitGuy423** · August-28-20, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Satiricalivory

Was he paying taxes? It seems insane for an owner to just keep paying taxes on a blighted building generating zero revenue so I doubt it. Didn't he own it for decades? Unless the taxes were insanely low.

If there were enough unpaid fines on the property couldn't they take it into foreclosure? The city could have also sued him. I think the city has options to take on slumlords like him but they never seem to do it.

Ralph Sachs [[the former deceased owner) was a property hoarder. He had slightly north of a hundred properties around the city that he hoarded and did nothing with. When he died, his estate was able to sell them all off.

**KnnNike** · August-28-20, 11:13 AM

Is that a thing? I hate blight, empty buildings, and parking lots with a passion, but a vacancy tax seems a step too far. As long as you're keeping the place in good condition, I don't think you should be penalized for doing with the space as you see fit.

I'm absolutely not defending property hoarders, e.g., the Illitch's, Morouns, etc.. If you own that many properties, there's no way you can take care of them all, in which case you should be penalized. But if I own one building, and for whatever reason haven't found a "right fit" tenant, I shouldn't be taxed for that.

**Satiricalivory** · August-28-20, 11:14 AM

There's been a lot of talk of a land value tax and I think that's a great idea.

**Satiricalivory** · August-28-20, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitGuy423

Ralph Sachs [[the former deceased owner) was a property hoarder. He had slightly north of a hundred properties around the city that he hoarded and did nothing with. When he died, his estate was able to sell them all off.

WOW, 100?!

What were his other properties? Are some of them getting new renovation love as well? Just proves my point further.

**Satiricalivory** · July-13-21, 10:10 AM

Any update on this? Feels like it's been taking forever.

**Atticus** · July-13-21, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Satiricalivory

Any update on this? Feels like it's been taking forever.

While I have no updates, I can say anecdotally [[for those physically not able to be downtown and see firsthand) that work has been continuing on the renovation. Beyond that, no clue on how much progress has been made and how much is left to go.