Just Another Afternoon in Detroit - 11.10.2006 - Page 2

Shasta · #21 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 2:19 AM**

Amazing photos. I don't get freaked by much, but the thought of hiking through a dark basement in an abandoned building definitely made me crap myself.

Thanks for sharing pics of such an interestingly sad place.

Michi · #22 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 2:19 AM**

Detroit's condition is not necessarily due to the automobile. Just look at the suburbs. Southeast Michigan is still regarded as one of the most wealthy regions in the country. That fortune is obviously in transition, so what goes down in the next few years is going to most significantly affect the suburbs who have enjoyed all of Detroit's blood for the past 50 years.

I have to purchase that last pano from you, frame it, and hang it on my wall!

Oh, and too many pictures of me!

Paintballer1708 · #23 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 2:37 AM**

Best pano i have ever seen.

Urban Zombie · #24 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 3:25 AM**

Truly an amazing thread. Haunting, yet beautiful and poetic at times. Rev'ren!

Evergrey · #25 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 3:30 AM**

Incredible photos, Paradox. What a skill you have. Looks like you guys had a great time exploring Detroit. These shots are filled with emotions a million stories of tragedy, grief, desolation... and hope.

bryson662001 · #26 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 4:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

Oh man I need to get out to Detroit. So much abandoned shit to explore. Abandoned skyscrapers... damn. That is amazing. It's insane how you're looking down the length of one building, then out the window is another towering mass of abandonment. Detroit is awesome.

Ten years ago there were many more abandoned skyscrapers but many have been knocked down. Still it is really worth a trip from anywhere just to see it......like nothing you have ever seen before. While your there don't forget the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn....another sight not to be missed.

Michi · #27 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 5:33 AM**

Thanks, Bryson!

Despite the worst economy in the country, Detroit is making great strides against the grain. It's tough, no doubt, but somehow we're pulling off baby steps. I know that's not good enough for some people, but at the end of the day, there's a much greater sense of pride and comfort in knowing hard work is paying off. I also know that is hard to believe after seeing some of those photos.

And again, the only real highrises left that are abandoned in downtown Detroit are the David Whitney and the David Broderick. And as mentioned, the Broderick's renovation is just getting underway!

http://www.brodericktower.com/index.html

There's other abandoned buildings for sure, and hopefully the near future will bring more fortune to our little untapped gold mine.

matt602 · #28 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 7:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Ten years ago there were many more abandoned skyscrapers but many have been knocked down. Still it is really worth a trip from anywhere just to see it......like nothing you have ever seen before. While your there don't forget the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn....another sight not to be missed.

As a fan of Ford power, it is totally on my Detroit to-do list. Along with attending a Red Wings game

Go Wings!

I didn't mean to paint such a glum picture though. Detroit is totally only going up now. I see a lot of potential in downtown Detroit. I look at it with the same glee and future thinking that I do to my own city's slummy, grimey downtown.

Wheelingman04 · #29 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 1:47 PM**

What great photographic talent!!

MayDay · #30 Posted **Nov 30, 2006, 4:06 PM**

You've got to be sh!tting me:

Awesome thread. Just awesome.

LMich · #31 Posted **Dec 1, 2006, 8:05 AM**

Mayday, fortunately, this is one of the few vacant buildings downtown that's actually half-way maintained for sitting as long as it has. It used to be home to many medical arts (as was the Broderick Tower across the street), and it won't take much to fill this up as it has been in temporary usage from time to time (i.e. using it as a hiring and training center, I believe, for the MGM Grand Detroit Casino).

A few more photos of the atrium arcade:

Southen - http://www.flickr.com/photos/southen/

Southen - http://www.flickr.com/photos/southen/

The murals during the SuperBowl at the base.

daveisnotmyname -http://www.flickr.com/photos/city_blocks/

Exterior

BuildingsOfDetroit - http://www.flickr.com/photos/snweb/

Into the Park

UrbanTiki - http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbantiki/

There is still hope for this one yet, and with the imminent renovation of the Broderick Tower across the street this "guard of Grand Circus Park" group will form a great gateway unto Lower Woodward, once again, not to mention it has a stop on the People Mover and that it has excellent views into Comerica Park.

Sorry about the quick hijack, Paradox.

MrChills · #32 Posted **Dec 1, 2006, 3:48 PM**

Best Detroit Ever!!! Amazing!

DetroitSky · #33 Posted **Dec 1, 2006, 11:00 PM**

Excellent photos!

Ex-Ithacan · #34 Posted **Dec 1, 2006, 11:40 PM**

Maybe just another afternoon in Detroit, but by no means just another Detroit photo thread. Paradox, you gotta get more pics of places and post them on theis forum. That's an order from your elder (please).

Thanks for the tour.

Michi · #35 Posted **Dec 1, 2006, 11:59 PM**

Sweet pics!

Exodus · #36 Posted **Dec 2, 2006, 1:21 AM**

My world history teacher at the college I attend told me last night that he was once in Detroit. He was on his way to Windsor and had to drive through Detroit to get to the tunnel, but he got off the freeway too soon and ended up driving down W. Fort St. for a few miles. He described it as dangerous and shabby looking, and said he was so glad to finally find the tunnel. Too bad he didn't get past first impressions and stay a little longer.

pdxstreetcar · #37 Posted **Dec 2, 2006, 1:34 AM**

Great pictures

Some damn beautiful buildings its a shame so many are abandoned and falling apart.

Are these abandoned buildings like the David Whitney Tower and Michigan Central Station just wide open and easy for anyone to wander into?

I hope the Whitney tower gets renovated soon since its interior appears to be in fairly good condition, considering its abandoned.

LMich · #38 Posted **Dec 2, 2006, 1:38 AM**

What do you consider "so many" just wondering? I only ask because some people seem to think most of the high-rises in Detroit are abandon when the fact is that there are only three big ones left in downtown to be renovated (Broderick, David Whitney and United Artists).

Exodus, driving down West Fort Street would definitely leave someone with a bad impression of Detroit. It's so industrial I'm not surprised at his opinion. What a bad route to take. lol

pdxstreetcar · #39 Posted **Dec 2, 2006, 1:56 AM**

I was referring to all the buildings in Detroit not just downtown towers with regard to the "so many."

But I'm glad to hear there are only 3 abandoned towers downtown because I had thought there were more empty downtown towers. Is it the Book Cadillac Hotel that is becoming a Westin?

Michi · #40 Posted **Dec 2, 2006, 2:27 AM**

Indeed it is!

http://www.westinbookcadillacresidences.com

Fort Street is not scary at all. It's just an old industrial corridor that leads to the Ambassador Bridge. And how do you get off the freeway too early? Signage to the tunnel and bridge is clear as day. Sounds like your typical Detroit fantasy story to me. Fort Street is harmless and has a lot of nice old buildings.