Flat Iron, Herkner and Groskopfs Buildings to be renovated

[wingbert]

I'm surprised that Groskopf's hasn't bought out the lease and shuttered the storefront so that no other luggage retailers can move in there to compete with them.

Nice!

[numstead]

Activesite is planning their next event for the Flat Iron, Groskopf's, and Herkner Buildings in April...

[fiest from the window]

thats a nice space, too bad the loft boom is done, i would love to live there

[Allison Slater]

I believe these are being developed as offices, anyways.

[evkuhn]

I have been a long time reader of this forum, this is my first post. I saw this topic and thought i would share some more info about the upcoming ACTIVESITE show.

"ACTIVESITE is a biannual art event, which seeks to provide a catalyst for collaboration between the Art, Business, and Development communities of Grand Rapids: creating unique exhibition and promotional opportunities.

The 5th event in an ongoing series... brought to you by the UICA, Locus Development and Kendall College of Art and Design.

ACTIVESITE {sodEmoji.|} Emerge is an exhibition of sculpture featuring graduate and undergraduate thesis students, showcasing emerging talent from Michigan's fine art programs.

ACTIVESITE has teamed with Locus Development to use the historic Flat Iron Building; located at the corner of Ottawa and Monroe Ctr., the Flat Iron Building was built in 1860 and is the oldest building on Monroe Center.

Likely identified best by ground floor deli - Blake's Turkey, Locus Development

[joeDowntown]

I hope they intergrate this sign into the decor. It is great!

Joe

[evkuhn]

I'm not sure what the plan is for those internal/external signs (there are a couple other ones as well) but i agree they are fascinating and will definitely be highlighted for the show on the 17th. The next time i am down there I will try and remember to get some images of the others and post them.

For updates as we closer to the show check out the following

www.blog.activesite.org

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Rapids...ITE/56255348925

and

www.twitter.com/activesite/

I am trying to update pretty often as we get closer.

[evkuhn]

One of the other internal signs. From inside the Herkner space (sorry my images are nearly as good as Nate's).

[mgreven]

Found this interesting as I was looking at a website...pretty easy to figure out where this is especially with the "Flatiron" sign on top.

Scroll down to Residential Tower Concept Study. I wonder if it's even possible.

http://www.r2designgroup.com/residential.php

[SupercityGR]

That would be awesome. It would add even more height to monroe center!

I edited this in, i thought that Locus Development was working on the flat iron building?

[RegalTDP]

Found this interesting as I was looking at a website...pretty easy to figure out where this is especially with the "Flatiron" sign on top.

Scroll down to Residential Tower Concept Study. I wonder if it's even possible.

http://www.r2designg...residential.php

That is interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a tower built that way, has anyone else?

As for "The Flatiron," I have a feeling the end result would look f'ugly, but I'll reserve judgement.

[SupercityGR]

Iv seen pics of washington where they built up on old buildings to keep the ground levels charm, but still add the height they needed.

[andrew.w]

That is interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a tower built that way, has anyone else?

As for "The Flatiron," I have a feeling the end result would look f'ugly, but I'll reserve judgement.

Usually that construction requires gutting out the centers of the buildings, leaving only the facade. The new tower would be built slightly inward of the existing walls on a separate foundation. The wood structure of the Flat Iron Building isn't really conducive for adding anymore than 1-2 floors (if even that). It's pretty typical in larger cities; For instance there is a tower on LaSalle in Chicago that was built on the four story base of at earlier tower.

I think the only reason it worked for McKay Tower was that the internal structure was over-designed and able to hold an extra dozen floors.

[joeDowntown]

I doubt this was ever seriously considered. Looks more like a conceptual design to fill out the portfolio. Now I'd love to see the old JA building get extra floors (I know it won't happen, but...). That building was intended to have extra floors but they revised it mid construction (I believe due to WWII?)

Joe