Are there still Detroit center highrises that are completely original?

[Whitehouse]

It's a short question. A large number of highrises were modernized in th 50's and 60's. The cornices were removed and other exterior elements vanished. Are there still downtown buildings that appear to be completely original on the outside, besides the Wayne county building?

Maybe
- Public library
- GAR building.

Edit:
Cornice mistake mended.

[Detroitnerd]

Main Public Library got the modern wings added on in 1963, don't know if you're counting that.

[gumby]

Book Tower and Building

And it is cornices not cornishes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornice

[Hardhat]

The Detroit Public Library's main branch still had many of the same terra cotta cornice figures until this summer, when 65 percent of them were replaced as part of a fairly significant renovation project.
Here's a link to an article, scroll down for a couple of photos.
http://www.michiganbuildingtrades.or...html#article02

[grumpyoldlady]

What about the Guardian Building? That's original, isn't it?

[Whitehouse]

The Detroit Public Library's main branch still had many of the same terra cotta cornice figures until this summer, when 65 percent of them were replaced as part of a fairly significant renovation project.
Here's a link to an article, scroll down for a couple of photos.
http://www.michiganbuildingtrades.or...html#article02

At least the restoration was done with respect to the architect.



It's quircky story time again

Over here the restoration of St Jan's Kathedraal in Den Bosch was finished after decades of restoration. There were some angels that could not be restored so some reproductions were made. De main architect took some creative liberties in making one of them. That angel was given a cell phone!! [[With only one key on it, calling God.)

The bishop shared the same sense of humor and gave his blessing, although he didn't agree with the first plans. De sculptor was also planning to give the angel jet engines.....


Hello, who is it?



The Cathedral of St Jan in Den Bosch, the Netherlands.

[Gistok]

The Buhl Building and tower portion of the Penobscot Building also come to mind... like the Guardian Building... they never had the type of cornices that were removed in the 1950s. I'm going to guess the Stott Building also... but wasn't its' first few floors remodeled on the exterior??

I guess we should be thankful that the huge statues [[seen on the DYES rotation of photo images) holding up the massive cornices of the Book Building were not tampered with.

[Whitehouse]

And Book Cadillac?

[Jason]

Book Cadillac had its cornice removed, and all of the public areas were renovated at different times. I think the most recent renovation replaced what was left of the original interiors.


The Guardian Building had drop ceilings in some parts of the lobby. The last renovation removed them, and actually added in some lights which were never made because the depression happened. The banking hall was converted into a cafe and retail space but is otherwise well preserved.

Most buildings are pretty original although a decent amount have been changed.

[Gistok]

Book Cadillac had its cornice removed, and all of the public areas were renovated at different times. I think the most recent renovation replaced what was left of the original interiors.


The Guardian Building had drop ceilings in some parts of the lobby. The last renovation removed them, and actually added in some lights which were never made because the depression happened. The banking hall was converted into a cafe and retail space but is otherwise well preserved.

Most buildings are pretty original although a decent amount have been changed.

In the Guardian Building drop ceilings were once in the elevator alcoves, hiding the stained glass. The bank hall once had 84 teller windows, later removed for commercial non-banking use.

[bsu]

What about the Detroit Cornice & Slate building...
http://www.detroitcorniceandslate.co...estoration.htm

[Gsgeorge]

The building I live in, the Hammeter Building, now known as the Harmonie Park Lofts, has its original cornice and facade details intact.

[Whitehouse]

The building I live in, the Hammeter Building, now known as the Harmonie Park Lofts, has its original cornice and facade details intact.

Great building. You lucky bastard! Wasn't that the direct neighbour of the Madison Lenox?

[Gistok]

Great building. You lucky bastard! Wasn't that the direct neighbour of the Madison Lenox?

No, that would be the Harmonie Club.