13 replies to this topic

[GRDadof3]

I know this has been talked about a bit here before, but thought I'd give it its own topic now that it's almost open.

http://blog.mlive.co...becoming_a.html

Looks like there'll be a nice covered patio on the front:



http://www.tavernonthesq.com/

[MuskeMI]

Wow, haven't driven past since the work started and I have to say, if I had been shown that picture out of context, I doubt I would have been able to tell you what building it was. Looks like they didn't hit their "mid-Oct" start date cited in Knape's article, though.

[GR_Urbanist]

Hmmm.

At first I was sad to see the Black Rose exterior decorations go, but it looks like they are opening up a bunch of long-covered up windows, which is a much better thing.

[GRDadof3]

What do you guys think of the new exterior? It's kinda cool with the old painted ads on the brick, but I'm not sure on the mis-matched new brick so much. I thought they'd do something to tie them together a bit more.

[suydam]

GRDadof3, on 18 November 2009 - 02:57 PM, said:

What do you guys think of the new exterior? It's kinda cool with the old painted ads on the brick, but I'm not sure on the mis-matched new brick so much. I thought they'd do something to tie them together a bit more.

Maybe it's not done... especially that last photo of the missing bricks seems unfinished to me.

[gvsusean]

wow, I think it looks terrible.... The old brick with off colored paints and the such COULD be cool but it almost has to be done perfectly. However, the new brick makes the whole building look cheap (i think that's the word I am looking for). They should have used wrought iron or something instead of the bricks.

Edited by gvsusean, 18 November 2009 - 08:26 PM.

[jwazzz]

It looks awful - I can't believe that this will be the finished product.

[GR Town Planner]

jwazzz, on 18 November 2009 - 10:03 PM, said:

It looks awful - I can't believe that this will be the finished product.

The new brick knee walls are being removed. They were not installed per HPC guidelines - note the projection of the knee walls past the existing brick pilasters. This brick infill, if properly installed would have been recessed a few inches and been a lot less obnoxious. The knee walls were installed this way because the masons allegedly did not want (or said it was not possible) to cut a few bricks in the corner to avoid a sprinkler riser (which the building did not even require). So they ended up projecting the walls to avoid the riser in one isolated location and then the decision was made in the field to do all the walls this way.

I believe the plan is to remove the brick and replace it with an panelized system of wood or wood-like substance which will be painted.

[gvsusean]

GR Town Planner, on 19 November 2009 - 08:40 AM, said:

The new brick knee walls are being removed. They were not installed per HPC guidelines - note the projection of the knee walls past the existing brick pilasters. This brick infill, if properly installed would have been recessed a few inches and been a lot less obnoxious. The knee walls were installed this way because the masons allegedly did not want (or said it was not possible) to cut a few bricks in the corner to avoid a sprinkler riser (which the building did not even require). So they ended up projecting the walls to avoid the riser in one isolated location and then the decision was made in the field to do all the walls this way.

I believe the plan is to remove the brick and replace it with an panelized system of wood or wood-like substance which will be painted.

wood? seriously wood? *slaps forehead

[GR8scott]

I really like the one on Washington square in Lansing, it used to be one of my favs when i lived there. I didnt realize it was the same owners as Grand Woods Lodge

Edited by GR8scott, 20 November 2009 - 02:52 PM.

[tSlater]

The brick panels in the back aren't bad -- the colour matches. If they were to fix the colouring it'd look just fine.

[GRDadof3]

Chris Knape spoke with the owner about the brick issue.

http://blog.mlive.co...s_brick_pr.html

I for one can't wait to try the place out.

[GR_Urbanist]

So what is going to be the final exterior color of this building? I know they aren't going to keep it in its present shabby shape, right?

[grandrollerz]

GRDadof3, on 23 November 2009 - 07:10 PM, said:

I for one can't wait to try the place out.

I was there on Friday after work, gorgeous on the inside. The service was a bit slow, I think they may have been understaffed, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Food was good and the prices during happy hour were great.