283 replies to this topic

[intovb]

By the way, we are going to be re-installing the stone on the front of the building and we are retaining the "look" it has now.

The eagles and the art deco sidelights will be re-conditioned and brought back to original lustre!

[dbrok]

intovb, on Aug 1 2006, 01:09 PM, said:

I am interested to know....does anyone have any ideas as to what they think the facade for this building should look like?

We have been going round and round for months on what to do with the Albarene stone that was installed in 1927 (incorrectly, by the way) and still keep within our budget.  It is literally peeling away from the building and has posed a safety issue.

I think our only option for the rear portion of the building is re-painting it.  It would be unwise to blast it due to the cost, and because the two brick styles do not match. Any ideas will be welcome!

I would be glad to share our plans with Urban Planet in time, we are currently in negotiation with a few different users.  The final product will be a positive addition to the block!

Just for clarification, is the Albarene stone the black facade pieces or is it the cement block-looking stone that the original windows are filled in with?

[intovb]

They are slabs of stone (a locally mined stone) that would be similar to a granite or marble counter-top installed in kitchens.  It looks like granite, but it is a mix of a slate and sand stone.

Each piece weighs 250 lbs - and is painted with an oil based black paint.  It is grey underneath with "strudel" like earth tone lines running through it sporadically.

We will be adding another story as well....

[twoshort]

I'm missing something, first you said "I am interested to know....does anyone have any ideas as to what they think the facade for this building should look like?"  

and then you said:

"By the way, we are going to be re-installing the stone on the front of the building and we are retaining the "look" it has now."

Can someone clarify?

[intovb]

Oops....not 1927, but 1937 the stone was installed on the building.

Originally, the building (Godfrey Building) had two additional stories on it but Central Bank demo'd them.

What would be the concensus on black structural glass to be installed over the brick?

[dbrok]

intovb, on Aug 1 2006, 01:35 PM, said:

What would be the concensus on black structural glass to be installed over the brick?

hmm, I'd probably need some kind of visual aid before I could have any type of opinion

[civitas]

intovb, on Aug 1 2006, 02:35 PM, said:

Oops....not 1927, but 1937 the stone was installed on the building.

Originally, the building (Godfrey Building) had two additional stories on it but Central Bank demo'd them.

What would be the concensus on black structural glass to be installed over the brick?

The Devil's in the details.  The joint pattern, trim shapes, etc. are always critical, but especially so with a slick glass look.

[intovb]

Certainly...

I have been a lurker since January and have read the threads of individuals commenting critically (whether positive or negative) on the developments in the city.

Some of you know the cost of aquisition and construction, some of you do not.  There is a fine balance between costs and market value.  I would love to affix gold plated extriors with fine details, but the reality of it is inconceivable.

Most of you are de-facto students of developments and downtown buildings and have tremendous ideas.  I guess I am searching for positive discourse - heck, I may even use YOUR idea for the good of our growing metropolis.

I am also aware that no matter what I do to the building someone is going to get ticked off - that's the business I am in.  I guess I am testing this "Urban Planet" system to see if your ideas are valid and applicable.

[torgo]

Personally, I think the black looks like hell and would love to see it all removed.  If you ask me, the closer you get to the original look, the better.  I'd like to see some pictures too.  Thanks for your insight and welcome, intovb!

[Veloise]

Given that much of Monroe Center looks "old," (i.e. turn of the previous century), I'd go with that look. This is based on Josh's photos showing the adjacent building, and reflecting the one across the street. No gold plating needed.

[GRDadof3]

Thanks for the input invite intovb (alliteration).  I agree with Andy Torgo that something more in line with Front Row Condos next door would be the best direction if it's feasible.  I don't particularly like the idea of 3 floors of black glass (once you add on the third).  Can you "de-brick" the building like the Civic Theatre did and re-brick it?  Or, what if you did a very transparent (slightly tinted glass) that actually showcased the brick facade beneath it, while hiding some of the defects?  Something similar to this, but put the glass about 12" off of the brick.



Just a thought.  Without seeing what lies beneath, it's hard to pick a direction to go.  How about deskin the Alabarene and then we can assess it then?  

[dbrok]

torgo, on Aug 1 2006, 02:06 PM, said:

Personally, I think the black looks like hell and would love to see it all removed.  If you ask me, the closer you get to the original look, the better.  I'd like to see some pictures too.  Thanks for your insight and welcome, intovb!

I agree that the black doesn't fit in with the setting very well and usually I am all for restoring buildings to their original design. The only reason I'd be hestitant with this building though is because there isn't much architecture around downtown from the 30s and 40s. I've been trying to think of an example another building from the era, but can't off the top of my head. There numerous buildings from roughly the 1880s to WWI and from after WWII through today, but there aren't many art deco designs from in-between.

[gvsusean]

I LOVE THE LITTLE BLACK BUILDING (pardon the caps), its so much different than most any other buildings in GR. It has always been one of my absolute favs (of course i like art deco so.....) I would say it depends on what you are going to do with the building, that will decide the look. But know this, if you make it look like the others on the block, then thats all youll have, another one on that block. Someones gotta be feeling me on this

[GRDadof3]

BTW intovb, thanks for taking on this little building.  There a few buildings downtown like this that at first glance seem kind of hopeless (Kendall, Keeler), but with some passion and a little creativity may turn out to be the best gems of the block, and help fill in the gaps of pedestrian level activity and curb appeal.

[Veloise]

gvsusean, on Aug 1 2006, 03:33 PM, said:

I LOVE THE LITTLE BLACK BUILDING (pardon the caps), its so much different than most any other buildings in GR. It has always been one of my absolute favs (of course i like art deco so.....) I would say it depends on what you are going to do with the building, that will decide the look. But know this, if you make it look like the others on the block, then thats all youll have, another one on that block. Someones gotta be feeling me on this

Aren't we getting (well-designed) Art Deco just down the street? Subway, Hallmark, and bank on Monroe?

[jbr12]

Have you considered cheaply re-facing the building?  This could be accomplished using rigid insulation with a plaster like finish on the exterior... You can use this in many thicknesses to create basically any look you want on the front of the building...

Edit- this is a very common approach for things like columns and pilasters in the south.  I have seen this application used on full, multi-story walls with great success

Edited by jbr12, 01 August 2006 - 02:00 PM.

[Greedo]

Founder's Trust?  That's not Art Deco.  Not even close.

Think Civic Auditorium or the old Public Museum for Art Deco.  They are the two finest example we have in Grand Rapids.  

Otherwise great examples are the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings and Rockefeller Center in New York.

[Nitro]

jbr12, on Aug 1 2006, 03:58 PM, said:

Have you considered cheaply re-facing the building?  This could be accomplished using rigid insulation with a plaster like finish on the exterior... You can use this in many thicknesses to create basically any look you want on the front of the building...

Edit- this is a very common approach for things like columns and pilasters in the south.  I have seen this application used on full, multi-story walls with great success

(Sorry jbr12, had to do it)

[dbrok]

Nitro, on Aug 1 2006, 03:16 PM, said:

(Sorry jbr12, had to do it)

I guess the phrase 'cheaply re-facing' doesn't go over well on UP.  

[jbr12]

*SHRUG* The guy was asking for options on how to work with what he had... Theres no need to limit himself to painting bricks and blocks that make a building look like a hodpodge of building over the years.

In his first post or so he specifically talked about budgets and things... while it might be nice if he did the 'proper' thing and tore down an entire wall and re-built it like someone suggested, I highly doubt that would fit into a budget easily...

I love the idea of cleaning the existing brick up and protecting it with a 'skin'.  Something similar to this has been done to the Bank One/Chase in downtown Ann Arbor.  You have to be at the right angle to notice the brick below, but I love the look