Hayward

Renovation concepts have been explored, but they are all very expensive. To renovate the building alone would cost $300-500 million. That's a lot for a developer to handle alone, especially since the building sits outside Renaissance zones. Another issue would be the operating cost. It's a big space to heat, and what for? There's not a whole lot that can fit into the building that was designed specifically to be a train station. Museum, police station, hotel, casino, luxury living - - all concepts explored, but likely not feasible. The building will be around for some time. First off, it's privately owned, so the city cannot demolish it. Even if they tried, the type of reinforced concrete defies explosive demolition. Explosives strong enough to even dismantle the structure would cause serious physical and environmental damage to the surroundings. Conventional demolition is far to costly...to the point at which it was equating renovation costs. No one has the finances to demolish the structure, nor willing to be subject to harsh criticism for leveling an architectural gem. Structurally, the building is in excellent shape. Before 2001 it had asbestos abatements where up to 90% of the hazardous materials inside were removed. The rest is in the floors and ceilings which pose no imminent health risks. Aesthetically, the building is in rough shape. The North facade needs a lot of repairs. Since this side receives very little sunlight, water does not dry fast enough and seeps into the cracks of the masonry. In minor instances, the mortar deteriorates. In major instances, the wall ties rust through and the facade breaks off. The South side has received little damage. The interior is a mess. Vandals destroyed the marble on the upper floors, and what was left was stolen by scrappers. The lower floors, which people consider to be the most beautiful is made of false marble. You can actually see the veneers peeling off. Year by year, more of these coated tiles fall off the walls exposing the terra cotta bricks underneath. This isn't is a big deal as long as they aren't exposed to water. People always believed the domes would collapse soon in the grand entry, but they won't. They aren't self supporting, rather held up by massive steel roof trusses, which are in good shape. The domes are made of reinforced concrete and terra cotta blocks, and there are no visible damage or water present in the attic.

Well, I'm glad you aren't a fish out of water, LOL.

Here's me at home for the holidays, just after I cut my hair. Don't judge. I'm not pissed, just trying to concentrate on the camera lens through a mirror.

They aren't helping downtown become "vibrant," but they do pay for nearly half(?) of the city's yearly budget.

Great pics! Yes come back North!

What? Me or ColDayMan?

What I meant by catering to those areas, is by providing retail that is popular to area demographics

I agree Oakland mall is nearing its end if they don't do something quick. I'm not sure about Northland though. It is doing good in terms of sales in comparison with other malls. Much of its success has to do with its renovations and catering exclusively to people in Southfield and West Detroit areas. BTW, for those who don't know, Northland Center is the second suburban mall constructed in the United States (after Northgate in Seatle), but was the largest for some time. It was considered the mall that started it all, and one of the creators of the beast we call "sprawl" today. I found this interesting fact about the designer of the mall from Wikipedia: "Gruen would later grow disenchanted with the malls he helped start with Northland. The architect, who also designed suburban Detroit's Eastland Center, Chicago's Randhurst and South Jersey's Cherry Hill Mall, pronounced himself disillusioned with the ugliness and fast-buck approach of many projects. "I refuse to pay alimony for those bastard developments," he told Time Magazine.[2]"

What a shame, because someone left 16 pennies on the top of the parking machine the other day. I could have been a penny richer. (Or poorer if you count the cost of melting them)

Just a question, Is this mall dead because of nearby competition from newer and fresher malls? If that's not a big issue, then a huge overhaul on this mall's appearance is all that is necessary. I mean, just look how depressing it is in these photos. More, and NEW updated lighting would be a welcome addition. Tile over the terrazzo floor and replace the seating area with benches and potted trees. The barrier-like seating cluster is a dead modernist idea. The ceiling design also needs to be scrapped. Remove all that drywall, expose the ceiling, and paint it white. It will give the mall a more open and airy feeling, or at least do some sort of lighting scheme to enhance it. Finally, clean the effing bathrooms!

The owner is paying for some of the renovations by advertising. They covered up his ugly whale mural with a jeep ad. Yeah it's pretty depressing to see the damage. People broke in through a seventh floor window from the neighboring building. At one point, a group of people set the top floor on fire, but due to the fireproof nature of the building, it didn't get far. As far as permission goes, we did not get it directly from the owner, Mike Higgins, rather the building manager. At the time he was operating a bar on the ground floor and would let anybody who asked go up as long as they signed a few forms. He eventually left for Pittsburgh and the bar closed. Although I haven't been up in the tower since, I've heard not a whole lot has changed in terms of damage. What has architectural value inside the tower is still salvageable.

Nearly two years ago, my friends and I got legal permission to explore the abandoned Broderick Tower in downtown Detroit. We returned several times for photos. The rooftop (35 floors up) offers spectacular 360 degree views of the city. The tower is now undergoing renovations. Excuse some of the poor photo quality. These were taken 2 years ago from an average digital camera that would be 5 years old by now. Exterior of the 35 floor Broderick Tower The only light in the whole building. **BONUS IMAGE** It isn't a Detroit thread without a parking structure present!

Sun City gave it away for me. Seen it. Definitely very strange.

Most of the Albert Kahn buildings were prototypes for his factories. The regents were not happy upon their completion. But that was only one building, Natural Sciences. It has a factory like interior with exposed pipes and electrical in the hallways. It's primarily a research building. I know I might be biased being a student there. But I wouldn't go as far to call it sterile. A lot of the buildings on campus are rather old, done in the Beaux Arts, Art Deco, and Collegiate Gothic. This means there something to look at detail-wise. Something more mundane would probably be Dennison Hall, the South Stacks, and the MLB, but that's pretty much it. Even North Campus has some good moments. This is actually the first time I've ever heard the campus described this way. Can you elaborate on that?

Ah a mall in denial. You can really tell when things go downhill when they start covering their storefronts with soda machines. But hey at least the mall has some anchors. I agree to the statement above, but I also find it sad how America gives up on the malls we built 30-40 years ago. It's just creating even more waste. To replace them, we will just continue building more and parting further from the downtowns of America. IMO, the new thing (Lifestyle Centers) are ten times worse.

You sure. The traffic is pure hell! Yesterday, it took me ONE HOUR to go from 59 street to the chelsea Market office on 15 Street! :x :x Damn tourist! :whip: Well I guess it's all about the mode of transit I'm not sure what it's like there during the winter. I spent a full summer there 3 years ago, and used the subway to get everywhere. Never had any problems, despite the summer being a high time for tourism. For short distances I rode a bike.

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Excellent series, I miss NYC! I always wanted to be there for the holidays.

River Rouge......... sigh .

I always see cops at Dunkin Donuts. Why they try to perpetuate the stereotype I'm not sure. But I was then thinking about my job and how our office always has donuts too. So I guess that makes cops and architects.

That was, and probably will be my last time I see the stadium in its built form like that before the bulldozer come in and start demolition of the upper levels, and new steel rises for the press boxes and suites.

Excellent photos. Looks like the last part of Bryant Park is getting filled in.

All it takes is a lot of complaining. About half of these ammeneties were recent additions.

I'm surprised how much ground we covered in just a day. I'm also suprised at the great photos you got. I thought I was moving the tour a little quick, and wasn't sure if you were getting the photos you wanted. Such a shame it was freezing cold out though. Oh, and COUZENS hall will forever be pronounced like "Cousins" whether you like it or not.

Wait so do you guys blast that Phil Collins song "Suddio" like we do? Yeah, I've been up here in the architecture studio way too long. The last time I got a full night of sleep was on Sunday. I'll leave my methods for staying awake off this board, but the good thing is I feel awake right now, and I'm almost done. You can pretty much live up in this place. There is a shower room, refrigerators, microwaves, large LCD TV's, couches and lounges, and plenty of food to keep us up here. Here's my final model. I was pissed that my studio instructor said to make them at 1/32 scale because its difficult to work that small Fresh From the laser cutter In the assembled state Zoom Out Surprisinglythere's not too many people up here. Although most people move their stuff into the hallways where there is more space From above: Don't forget at least one person has to cut their finger off: Finally my desk. I cleaned it off a few days ago which is why it looks so nice