Photos De Jour - Grand Rapids and West Michigan Area

[Allison Slater]

There's actually two gargoyles, one was damaged a while back and was supposed to be repaired and re-installed sometime soon I think?

[GRDadof3]

I walked by there about an hour ago (and the guy sat on the floor had painted about another 6"). I just assumed they were touching up the white, I didn't even realize the color of the building had changed. For what it's worth, I actually like the black. Red brick is ugly.

While walking down that stretch of Ionia, I noticed a massive red gargoyle on one of the buildings between Taps & Black Rose. Anyone know the history on that? I would have taken a snap, but for a tech-savvy person, I have a real hard time making my phone take pictures

That's the old Waldron Building, that was built back in the turn of the 19th Century. The gargoyles were added back in the 1990's when a club opened there called Opus 1894. They're made of hard styrofoam I believe.

http://www.terrafirmaprop.com/58Ionia.htm

[grbrit]

That's the old Waldron Building, that was built back in the turn of the 19th Century. The gargoyles were added back in the 1990's when a club opened there called Opus 1894. They're made of hard styrofoam I believe.

http://www.terrafirmaprop.com/58Ionia.htm

Thanks for the info, although I'm a little disappointed to learn they may be fake. Very gothic. Made me do a double-take when I thought that they were part of the original architecture.

[Allison Slater]

Thanks for the info, although I'm a little disappointed to learn they may be fake. Very gothic. Made me do a double-take when I thought that they were part of the original architecture.

You wouldn't have known any different had we not told you, though. ;p And that's when I think it's a great element. If you can't tell it isn't original to the building, then it's an excellent addition to it.

[AlexPKeaton]

Why are all these buildings painting over their brick?

The building was already painted red. I think most of the brick buildings have been painted over. Very few have actual brick showing. I guess when you paint it red it just isn't as noticeable because bricks are typically red.

[gvsusean]

I think the new Taps building looks GREAT!!! much better than before. You can see more of the detail than you could before this.

[NorthEnder]

[blueradon]

I think the new Taps building looks GREAT!!! much better than before. You can see more of the detail than you could before this.

I agree it is definitely better -- I don't think it's black though - from the pictures it looks like a dark blueish-gray color to me with some more muted shades of lighter blue

I personally think most of the brick buildings downtown should get repainted in different colors - but not like a hot pink or anything of that nature. It would give more character from a street view instead of a monotone street with the same colored brick.

But some brick buildings are nice on its own - just not ALL of them.

Edited December 3, 2007 by blueradon

[GRDadof3]

A few more shots from yesterday:

Anyone know why Icon doesn't have any banners up anymore?

Another brave soul out in the bitter cold photographing the area:

Above grade work at Plante&Moran's new offices:

St. Isidore?

GR's hidden gem:

Where is this?

Here's a hint. Here's looking up Ionia Ave from the same vantage point.

[pr sc]

If it's on Fuller, it is St. Isadore. Great pics as usual!

[GRguy]

Right off Division at Franklin? The old projects they razed and rebuilt...

[Quercus]

This hawk likes to perch on top of the Grace Episcopal Church steeple:

[GRDadof3]

Great shots rtr! Is that a hawk or a falcon? I hear there are a few falcons that hang around downtown, or at least used to.

[Quercus]

Great shots rtr! Is that a hawk or a falcon? I hear there are a few falcons that hang around downtown, or at least used to.

My amateur knowledge of avian species tells me it is a red-tailed hawk. Could be wrong, though. If anyone is ever in the area in the morning, there's a good chance you'll see it up there (no matter what the temperature!)

I remember hearing there was a pair of peregrine falcons nesting in the metal cage looking thing on top of one of the buildings in downtown. Apparently they were brought in for pigeon control. Then one day, they flew away.

Maybe that's just a Grand Rapids myth.

[Allison Slater]

Don't know about the myth, but it's likely you're talking about the steel frame dome atop the Mckay Tower.

[Michi]

RH looks pretty cool in black and white...especially, the horizontal white lines!

[NorthEnder]

Does SMG manage the Devos Place? This looks terrible.

[Quercus]

tSlater, I was indeed thinking of McKay Tower. And after a quick search, it seems some peregrine falcons still reside in the city. GRCC even keeps a log of sightings here.

[GRDadof3]

Does SMG manage the Devos Place? This looks terrible.

Nice. I'd contact one of these fine folks, most likely the Operations Manager, and have them chase it down. I don't know if SMG handles exterior lights (?)

http://www.devosplace.org/Contact%20Us/101/

[darajeanne]

They do, or at least did when I was still there doing their payables. I'll let my girlfriend in the marketing department know you all are complaining about it :-)

[ericnmu]

Take down the hideous beer ads. We all know it's a bar, we all know they serve beer. Who really makes a decision based on the the price posted in the window.

[GRDadof3]

Take down the hideous beer ads. We all know it's a bar, we all know they serve beer. Who really makes a decision based on the the price posted in the window.

And just in case you didn't see the signs on the ground floor, we've added a couple up top too!

[blindside]

[Allison Slater]

I love how the colours on the uplighting in there are on rotation. One look they're blue, look again, they're purple..

[numstead]

in case you hadn't noticed, it's snowing...