Grosfield building demolition

**ABetterDetroit** · June-12-21, 01:21 PM

This one is a shame. Even in rough shape she is still a beauty. If only the corktown rehabs could have spread farther faster.

https://urbanize.city/detroit/post/g...ming-down-soon

**Danny** · June-12-21, 06:07 PM

That fire bug did it. Just to make room for urban pop art lofts.

**Richard** · June-13-21, 09:21 AM

The way it reads is the city is forcing the demolition,it seems like they are taking the stance of fix it or demolish it,city wide,which could ramp up more demolition friendly.

But it also looks like they are saying it is a building of two parts,the one on the front and one on the back that had the fire.

How many more 1800s buildings still exist in the city?

**Gistok** · June-13-21, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Richard

How many more 1800s buildings still exist in the city?

The oldest house in the city is the Trowbridge House on East Jefferson, which dates back to 1828. Including homes, old factories, churches, and commercial building, and public buildings such as the GAR Building and Old County Building... the count is probably no more than 500.

Corktown, riverfront, and some residential streets that connect with Woodward Avenue in Midtown have higher concentrations of them.

West Canfield, just west of Woodward in Midtown has the best surviving assembly of 1800s houses in a 1 block stretch in Detroit...

https://www.google.com/search?q=west...w=1280&bih=591

The West Canfield Historic District is a 10 block area around that street that has many historic homes and commercial buildings [[mostly converted to residential).

**Kathleen** · June-13-21, 06:36 PM

Don't forget Ferry Street, especially the block between Woodward and John R. The East Ferry Street Historic District includes a good number of homes built in the late 1800s after the Ferry Seed Farm moved and the street was developed. Both the Hecker House and Charles Lang Ferry House date to c1890. And there are numerous 1880s Victorian residences as well.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/hab...mi0177data.pdf

**Gistok** · June-14-21, 05:34 PM

^ Oh yes Kathleen... I just mentioned West Canfield, but there are other areas. The late Executive Director of Preservation Wayne [Detroit] Katherine Clarkson used to hold monthly meetings in either the Freer, Hecker or [on Cass] MacKenzie Houses. Loved them all!!

Also besides the few survivors in Brush Park, there are also some 19th century survivors south of Wayne State, several surviving mansions along Woodward... and very late 1890s examples mixed with early 20th century homes in Indian Village/West Village. Downtown has a few, and also a few survivors in Rivertown.