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Grand Rapids Photos II


GRDadof3

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Its a good idea I think, but I'd be nervous about how it would look.  I've always liked some of the murals that are painted here and there, but I think that if the whole city were covered it would look kinda trashy.  And there's the possibility of someone painting something ridiculous and being told to paint something else and a big first amendment battle...but you can't disallow something for that.

I think a better idea might be something like this:  require lots of transparent windows on ground floor of all developments and build to the sidewalk.  Then, on the inside, the developer should be encouraged by the city to display works of art that could be seen from the outside.

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Painted murals are an acquired taste I think. There is a good example of displaying art in ground floor windows in the new parking ramp where Leo's is. Check out the display case facing Ottawa.

I still think large sculptures outside of every project would be great though, despite the chances of getting a couple of duds.

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I think Kendall students should be allowed to paint any available piece of exposed concrete in the city.  The students could catalog their creations and Grand Rapids would be covered in art for free.  Could this work or is this dumb idea?

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we copuld start with the GRCC campus, and work from there :P

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we copuld start with the GRCC campus, and work from there :P

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:D I love that idea.

Some more updates

Recently expanded Martha's Vineyard in Heritage Hill

Edit: The upstairs windows are filled in because of their enormous expaned wine selection, from what I hear

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Murals done by local GR Public Schools at the Children's Museum

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Keeler Building - 1914 - Currently unoccupied but in OK shape

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I really like the circular doors at the entries

I think they are just refinishing the brickwork on the exterior on the Bell Building. But I did see some ladders in the windows.

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Morton House - Near Ionia and Fountain

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82 Ionia - Now owned by the County, but leased to the City - could not find history yet

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Rear of the Steketees Building from Fountain Street - recently refinished

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Founders Building at Ottawa and Fountain

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I like the musical notes on that one

Looking North on Ottawa - I swear I am not trying to get busses in my shots ;)

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Commerce Building on Lyon - Apartments for Kendall College - Soon to get makeover and incorporated into Kendall/Ferris

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River City Building - Monroe at Lyon

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Fox Building - Monroe Center

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Michigan National Buildling - There is so much detailing on this it is incredible in person, especially the Indian keeping watch over the city and the two faces on each side of the front door

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Arcade on South Division - This building has an interesting history. It was built by the owner of the Coliseum on Commerce so that his building would have access to the trolley lines on Division (no trolleys on Commerce). It is amazing how important the trolley lines were.

Source: http://www.heartsidemainstreet.org/tour.ph...7&property_id=5

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One Oakes at Division

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Art Mural on 111 S. Division

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Art Mural on 44 1/2 S. Division

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"82 Ionia - Now owned by the County, but leased to the City - could not find history yet"

82 Ionia is the old Klingman's Sample Showroom. Klingman's was located there unitl the late 70's early 80's when they moved to Eastbrook, now Centerpointe Mall. I was just in Eastown Antiques and they had an old Mission Style Sideboard circa 1912 from Kilingman's Sample Showroom.

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"82 Ionia - Now owned by the County, but leased to the City - could not find history yet"

82 Ionia is the old Klingman's Sample Showroom.  Klingman's was located there unitl the late 70's early 80's when they moved to Eastbrook, now Centerpointe Mall.  I was just in Eastown Antiques and they had an old Mission Style Sideboard circa 1912 from Kilingman's Sample Showroom.

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Thanks for the background mpchicago. Here are some more pics:

Sweet House - 254 Fulton - Built in 1856 - Martin Sweet built the Sweet Hotel, which would then become Pantlind Hotel, and then Amway Grand:

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Masonic Temple - 1914 - Granite, buff brick and Terra Cotta exterior

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Masonic Temple and First United Methodist - Gothic Revival - 1916

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Looking West on Fulton from the Masonic Temple:

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  • 2 weeks later...

With the removal of the facades on the "Front Row Condos" building on Monroe Center, we really have a nice collection of late 1800's Italianate Architecture all in a two block area:

Flatiron Building - Built in 1863 by William Ledyard and Moses Aldrich - Actually preceded the NY Flatiron Building by almost 40 years. I've erroneously called it the Justice & Monroe Building here before because of the PR firm there.

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Aldrich Building - Built in 1850 by Moses Aldrich

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Peck Building - Built in 1875

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20 Monroe Center - May become part of the Civic Theatre Project:

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Botsford Building - Part of the Civic Theatre - Also to be renovated

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Front Row Condos and Retail

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Those old buildings along Monroe Center are the coolest ones in town, along with Ledyard along Ottawa and whatever that buiding is called that houses "Bite" (Waters Bldg?)

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Speaking of Bite, I ate there Friday after work... very good. Pulled pork sandwich and two BOB Festive Ambers for $13.00. Not bad.

/sorry for the off topic post

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Those old buildings along Monroe Center are the coolest ones in town, along with Ledyard along Ottawa and whatever that buiding is called that houses "Bite" (Waters Bldg?)

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OK. Now I have to post my pics of those two again :P

Waters Building - Built in 1899 by Dudley Waters and Philip Klingman (you guessed it) - The nations largest furniture exposition building at the time.

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Ledyard "Block"- Portions built in 1874 - Was 7 buildings that were all combined in 1987 - http://www.triangle-inc.com/leyard.pdf

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And Bite does sound pretty good right now :D

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Speaking of the Ledyard Building, does anyone else remember Rhythm Kitchen Cafe (where Tre Cugini is now), or am I just an old guy :P That place was great for live music, and when Monroe Center used to be closed to cars, the patio was great for people watching.

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Speaking of the Ledyard Building, does anyone else remember Rhythm Kitchen Cafe (where Tre Cugini is now), or am I just an old guy :P  That place was great for live music, and when Monroe Center used to be closed to cars, the patio was great for people watching.

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The Rhythm Kitchen was great, it had some great Cajun food to go along with the great music and atmosphere. How about the Texas Cafe and Dr. J's Jazz Cafe? Those were some cool Monroe Center places in their day.

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With the removal of the facades on the "Front Row Condos" building on Monroe Center, we really have a nice collection of late 1800's Italianate Architecture all in a two block area:

Flatiron Building - Built in 1863 by William Ledyard and Moses Aldrich - Actually preceded the NY Flatiron Building by almost 40 years.  I've erroneously called it the Justice & Monroe Building here before because of the PR firm there.

8C2DB580082C11DAAA4B279B18F73B1D.jpg

Aldrich Building - Built in 1850 by Moses Aldrich

9E237CC0082C11DA99CDCFB918F73B1D.jpg

Peck Building - Built in 1875

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What's the story with the facades on the stores below Front Row Condos? Any plans to finish them? I know the coffee shop has a brick facade, but the others seem rather slapped together.

8E88BC80082C11DAA0DA302918F73B1D.jpg

20 Monroe Center - May become part of the Civic Theatre Project:

9100C160082C11DA90BBAC3718F73B1D.jpg

Botsford Building - Part of the Civic Theatre - Also to be renovated

98D1CB00082C11DA95A7201618F73B1D.jpg

Front Row Condos and Retail

936ABC80082C11DA9298C2DC18F73B1D.jpg

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I want to replay this one on a new page, so you don't have to re-load all of the other pics (for those with slow speed).

I just love gothic revival.

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Indeed! (Phantom of the Opera music currently playing in the background.)

What do you think will happen to the gothic building kitty-corner to the People's Building? Any plans for condos there?

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Indeed! (Phantom of the Opera music currently playing in the background.)

What do you think will happen to the gothic building kitty-corner to the People's Building? Any plans for condos there?

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Are you referring to the black little building on the corner at Ionia? I don't know. Is that goth? I think it is more romanesque, painted black (like the Rolling Stones). I could be wrong.

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Are you referring to the black little building on the corner at Ionia?  I don't know.  Is that goth?  I think it is more romanesque, painted black (like the Rolling Stones).  I could be wrong.

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Not the little boxy black building. The one right across the street from the black building. It's very tall and has arched windows.

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