183 replies to this topic

[wolverine]

Could this be another rendering done with the program Sketch-Up?  I love that 3d modeling program.

Allan, do you know what the red building will be when the renovation is complete?  I don't remember if it had mezzanine space or not since it's about two stories high.  It would make a nice restaurant.

[Allan]

Could be another sketchup...it looks like it might be.

As far as the red building goes, it is only one story.  The building was where they had initially thought of doing a small wine & cheese grocery store.  I'm not sure what they're leaning towards at this time, but a restaurant is a definite possibility.

[andrew.w]

What would be a nice added detail (to literally crown this renovation) would be something to fill the areas that lack ornamentation along the top of the building where I presume a cornice was at some point removed (probably along with all of the other buildings downtown.)

However, the elevation doesn't appear to make such a change.

*Allan, you have a great picture in your facebook album that would be nice for illustrating this.

[Allan]

You must be thinking of this photo....


Here's another vantage point....


The detail work that was removed was highly ornate.  They did really want to recreate it, but even using fiberglass or some sort of composite it still would've been too expensive at this time.  I've thrown out the idea of replacing the brickwork with a different color of brick that would better match the limestone...it would be much cheaper and would look better than what's there now.  Whether they'll spring for that idea or not remains to be seen.

Here is the cornice from behind


I have a really bad scan of the 1926 elevations if you'd like to see what used to be there...just shoot me an email: allanfromurbanplanet @ gmail.com.  I thought I had images of it already uploaded, but I thought wrong.

Edited by Allan, 28 November 2005 - 08:26 PM.

[Allan]

I almost forgot this great photo, taken in 1985, the last year the building was used.  Note the People Mover track being constructed on Broadway.

[andrew.w]

That last photo is great (especially the angle).There already apears to be signs of deterioration on the upper portions of the building.

I suspected the major factor preventing a restoration of the top would be the cost of reproducing the ornate detail.  Even withought ever seeing it, the remaining detail suggests that what was lost was equally or more ornate.

I thought that creating a simplified version would suggest what was removed and be more cost effective, but your idea of doing the best to match the color would probably be better.  Later, the detail could be restored if and when it becomes more feasible.  (Right now the fact that the building is actually being rehabilitated is more important.)

[Allan]

They cannot just throw up something similar to what was there due to the historic regulations.  If they were to replace it, it would have to be an exact replica of what was there.  If that wasn't going to be an option, then they would have to go for a modern interpretation so that you could tell that it is a later addition.  Given that those are the two choices, they've chosen to pretty much leave it as its existed since the 1960s.

The Broderick was pretty deteriorated in that last photo.  It slid by with minimal maintenance for decades.  In the mid 1950s the building's entire electrical system was replaced.  In the late 1960s it was given a major overhaul (though not nearly extensive enough).  At that time the plumbing system was entirely replaced, the lobby was remodeled, & the ceilings were lowered.  In 1969 the occupancy rate of BT was about 70%.  By the time Mike Higgins got the building in July 1977 the occupancy rate was down to 55%, and it was in need of even more work.  Mike had the lobby restored and continued to upgrade the building, but it wasn't enough.  By the early 1980s it was clear that a total renovation was necessary.  To do the renovation all the tenants needed to be moved out of the building.  By 1985 the plans were in place and all the tenants had left.  Unfortunately the financing for the renovation fell through, and BT was left vacant.

[andrew.w]

Allan, on Nov 28 2005, 11:44 PM, said:

They cannot just throw up something similar to what was there due to the historic regulations.  If they were to replace it, it would have to be an exact replica of what was there.  If that wasn't going to be an option, then they would have to go for a modern interpretation so that you could tell that it is a later addition.  Given that those are the two choices, they've chosen to pretty much leave it as its existed since the 1960s.

Ahh...historical regulations.  Besides that, what you said is what I meant: it would be much better to wait for an exact replica (if ever feasible) than have something more modern.

Again, thank you for the extra information.  It seems like half of my posts are questions and I enjoy learning about Detroit.

[rbdetsport]

Don't worry about all the questions..... When I started at the forum they got annoyed with all my questions. At least yours are on topic. HAHA!!!!!

[haydenth]

Wow. I can't wait until I can rent out that Penthouse Suite on the top floor

[rbdetsport]

I got this in an email from JC Beal:

Broderick Tower: An update for the curious:
JC Beal Construction Inc. has a contract to renovate the Broderick Tower Building, and while progress is being made this is a slow process. There is design and engineering [with Kraemer Design Group (They did Merchants Row design) doing design] to perform, tax credits and loans to negotiate (there is a national bank on board), and City boards and commissions to satisfy. This "preconstruction process" will take several additional months, with a 15-18 month construction period to start sometime next summer after that.  
The product will be rental for a minimum of 5 years for tax credit reasons. With all that completion will be late 2007 to mid 2008. As such it is too early to respond to the "when can I move in and how much can I buy it for question"

Detroit Building: We are just starting design development and it not yet clear that there will even be residential in the project when it is finished.


Fred J. Beal, President

JC Beal Construction Inc.


It looks like construction will start this summer. Can't wait to be able to see this building lit up from Comerica Park.

[detroitfan]

That isn't muchof an update from what Beal sent out in October I wonder if the Broderick is on track for work to start this summer?

[rbdetsport]

detroitfan, on Jan 18 2006, 11:21 AM, said:

That isn't muchof an update from what Beal sent out in October I wonder if the Broderick is on track for work to start this summer?

Im sorry. I just noticed that was the same as what was sent back in the first post. Sorry bout that. Even so, the Broderick needed to come back into the picture on here. Allan, do I see a Exploring Broderick Tower: One Year Later? Or can you not get into there? This time I don't think you will get ragged on by Detroityes like you did last year. LOL!

[Allan]

Yeah, it is almost exactly the same as the earlier update - word for word.  

As far as I know they are still on track for a summer 2006 construction start.

[Allan]

rbdetsport, on Jan 18 2006, 12:04 PM, said:

Allan, do I see a Exploring Broderick Tower: One Year Later? Or can you not get into there? This time I don't think you will get ragged on by Detroityes like you did last year. LOL!

I could get in there, but I'm not willing to put my life on the line to do it.  A group of people I know went in late December.  One of them almost killed himself on the way in.  So unless I can bribe someone to get me the keys it's not going to happen.  

The Broderick is like some sort of urbex tourist trap now.  I'd venture to say that it is now the second most frequented abandoned skyscraper in Detroit (the first being MCS).  The building hasn't changed much, really.  It is more trashed, but everything is still in there.

[wolverine]

Ah, I'm beginning to think of last year when I took groups of people up there.  My friends still find that as one of their best experineces of Detroit ever... and it really is, because nowhere can you get such beautiful views of the city.  It was kind of sad when they closed it to the public, but it was for the tower's own good.

I would argue MCS is a bigger tourist trap.  I mean groups of 20-30 exploring that place?  That's way more than the Broderick would get in two weeks (I'm not talking about the hundreds of people that used to pour into the towers upper floors when they had those parties).

[Chow]

Its sad about the Broderick.

I went a little more than two years ago. I had to climb a construction site, traverse an structural member six stories off the ground and climb through a window to get in (which I am assuming is the way most people got in). There was far less graffiti and damage done inside, less evidence of visitors. Comparing that trip to more recent ones and its really heartbreaking to see some assholes ruin a great thing and destroy history in the process.

I had similar experiences bring people to BT. People still ask me if we can go back.

Edited by Chow, 19 January 2006 - 12:17 AM.

[Allan]

Wolverine, that's why I said Broderick was the 2nd biggest skyscraper tourist trap.  LOL.  

Chow, I do think most people got in that way.  At one time it was actually bricked up...until some jackass decided to hammer out the bricks.  The other way was through the Chicken Shack/Church Building next door.  They sealed both of those entrances long ago, but people are still getting in (though with considerably more effort).  Were you there after the incident where the kids totally trashed the place, lighting a fire in the penthouse and whatnot?  I was amazed to see how much damage 3 kids could do in such a short time.

[Allan]

http://thekraemeredg...derickTower.pdf

[Zissou]

Wow sign me up for the 33rd floor.  That looks great.