Lansing Photo of the Day

[GRDadof3]

Here are some pictures I took today of the building in question;

Here is the text from the historical placard next to the door:

"In 1890, the Lansing Women's Club completed construction of its club jome, a two-story red brick building located at 118 West Ottawa STreet in Downtown Lansing. In the same year, the Michigan Millers Insurance COmpany constructed next door at 120 West Ottawa a two-stroy brick building designed by Darius Moon. In 1911, the club added the theird floor and an elevator at 118 West Ottawa.

Between 1980-1999, while Bill Ralls practiced law here, Rosemary and Bill Ralls renoavted and restored these buildings to their current historic condition. Thus, they preserved them for the people of Lansing and placed them on the Federal Register of Historic Buildings in the United States. Today the buildings, which are ownded by Gary Granger and Jeff McAlvey, are the home of the Lighthouse."

Thanks sabatoa! That's the one. I love the little turret on the upper left corner. The way it was preserved and is kind of shoved between a bunch of new taller buildings reminds me of some areas of Chicago.

Apparently the architect, Darius Moon, designed over 260 structures in Lansing and East Lansing.

Sabatoa, did you get a chance to see the capitol grounds?

Getting around wasn't too bad LMichigan. I grew up in Lansing so I know it pretty well (although I don't remember the Lansing Women's Club).

[RustTown]

GRdad, not sure if you saw it, but the annual flower planting of the Capitol grounds occurs at the end of this month, I believe.

[sabatoa]

Thanks sabatoa! That's the one. I love the little turret on the upper left corner. The way it was preserved and is kind of shoved between a bunch of new taller buildings reminds me of some areas of Chicago.

Apparently the architect, Darius Moon, designed over 260 structures in Lansing and East Lansing.

Sabatoa, did you get a chance to see the capitol grounds?

Getting around wasn't too bad LMichigan. I grew up in Lansing so I know it pretty well (although I don't remember the Lansing Women's Club).

Oh, I do too. Whenever I walk by this building I always stop and take a second to admire it. Like you, I really like the "Old World meets the modern era" contrast this building brings.

I was on the grounds a few days ago but I didn't notice the ladscaping.

[sabatoa]

We've had some nice warm nights around here so I took a night ride the other day;

[RustTown]

The R.E. Olds mural in REO Town:

8Gran - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8ran/

The mural is of the R.E. Olds Club House that stood nearby.

[beatneck]

A skyline shot earlier today...

Edited June 8, 2007 by beatneck

[RustTown]

Great shot! Just wish it was bigger. Anyway, I found some pretty cool shots on Flickr taken from the roof of the Arbaugh:

By macdane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/macdane/) showing the view from the roof of the former Arbaugh Department Store now Arbaugh Lofts:

Sparrow Hospital West Wing Tower

Lansing Board of Water and Light Ottawa Street Station

Michigan State Capitol

Boji Tower

A quiet Washington Square, below.

Wider view

Panning a bit to the west

And, a morning shot of the Eckert Power Station south of downtown.

Lastly, a crazy HDR shot by AvarusMentis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/avarusmentis/) looking at the corner of Grand and Allegan.

[statedude3]

That HDR is really cool looking. Allegan is a street that I think has a ton of unrealized potential between Capital and Grand.

[RustTown]

And, it's finally being realized. The Boji's practically own the that section of the street and beyond (i.e. Capitol View). lol

I usually hate HDR photos, but this one was pretty interesting, and since most of the buildings really are pretty colorful in real life, it works.

One thing I would like is for the large two story building you see at the foot to be demolished. I'm pretty sure it's been largely empty (if not totally empty) for many years now, though, no one ever realizes that or even look at the structure, much. That site would make for a great low-rise structure geared towards entertainment or retail. I've always envisioned that area and parking lot to the north being a small retail mall.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Lmichigan

[beatneck]

Great shot! Just wish it was bigger.

Ask and ye shall receive. I went back and edited it.

I didnt realize that flickr had downsized it.

[statedude3]

LMich, if I'm not mistaken that lot next to it is even larger than the building itself, right? That block of downtown is pretty much dead. I would think that retial options would draw very well with the high occupancy Grand Tower across the street, and just a couple blocks from Cooley.

[sabatoa]

A skyline shot earlier today...

Great shot, I love the sky.

[RustTown]

A similar shot from great photographer MichSt - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12299238@N00/

Yes, the area in the foreground is really in need of some serious streetscaping. Hopefully, it gets it sooner rather than later, and hopefully we see development along Grand Avenue, the ugly 'butt' of Washington Square.

[RustTown]

richfirman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/richfirman/

Grand Avenue

Random Scene

[RustTown]

Some of my own...

New Grand River Avenue Bridge

[statedude3]

I love the old town area. I wish the city and it's residents would do more to invest in this gem of a neighborhood.

[sabatoa]

[RustTown]

MichSt - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12299238@N00/

[wolverine]

Taken Sunday, July 8th

[RustTown]

The 160-foot tall Spartan Stadium.

Patrick T Power - http://www.flickr.com/photos/o_caritas/

[sabatoa]

I wish the stadium was symmetrical.

[RustTown]

It really don't mind that it's not symmetrical. It makes it quirky and unique. That said, they should have, at least, reconstructed the entire exterior. Spartan Stadium has always been a rather ugly thing, and some of that red brick and green glass, if wrapped around the current concrete facade, would go a long way in making it look nicer.

[LA Dave]

It really don't mind that it's not symmetrical. It makes it quirky and unique. That said, they should have, at least, reconstructed the entire exterior. Spartan Stadium has always been a rather ugly thing, and some of that red brick and green glass, if wrapped around the current concrete facade, would go a long way in making it look nicer.

"ugly" Boy, you can say that again. Unless, of course, its stands are full of cheering blue and yellow-clad Wolverine fans.

[LanCity]

"ugly" Boy, you can say that again. Unless, of course, its stands are full of cheering blue and yellow-clad Wolverine fans.

Of course wolverine "fans" and "cheering" is a relative term...

I had heard a few years ago that there were actually plans to carry on the facade around the entire stadium in phase II and phase III, but to do that would have required another 60 million or so up front.

[RustTown]

Funny, I heard that the main reason was money, but that they didn't want to block the view of campus, which really does sound silly. They had no problem with blocking the Lansing skyline, though, by building up the west tower. lol