Statler Hotel Demolition Progress

[Allan]

They are still doing interior work. It looks unchanged from the exterior, hence the lack of more recent photos.

[SOSaD]

Thank you. This long wait is battering my insides!

[rbdetsport]

Is the lot too big for a building +15 stories? Part of it could be a larger Grand Circus Park.

[detroitfan]

The city doesn't own the Tuller lot they sold the Illitches some time ago. Another interesting fact about the Tuller is that is was a doomed hotel even the 1920's it was set to be demolished for the bigger and better Detroit Biltmore until the Depression hit.

the Biltmore

http://dlxs.lib.wayne.edu/cgi/i/image/imag...n.x=56&pan.y=28

[Allan]

Ahh, yes, the Detroit Biltmore was to have 1400 rooms & 34 stories. It's too bad that it was never constructed. Does anyone know who the architect of the Detroit Biltmore was?

[wolverine]

Not sure, but it was quite interesting how they kept adding on to it.

I checked out the Statler Monday with my friends before the Tigers game. Not much has happened to take pictures of. Actually, it almost looked like demo had temporarily stopped. Reguardless, it's good to know there is still hope.

[jsmyers]

I was by it on Monday, and there were a lot of workers.

The activity was mostly on the inside.

[Allan]

Yeah, work is definately on-going. Maybe they stopped for a few hours to watch the game from the roof.

[gmm1]

Well, they're busy now. They have bobcats on the roof and top couple of floors and are knocking walls down and letting the debris fall to the ground between the 3 wings.

[baldy]

welcome to the forum gmm1!

Bobcats on the roof, debris falling, sounds like an interesting sight. Did you take any pictures?

I'll be down there tomorrow and will be sure to check out the progress.

[wolverine]

Goodbye Statler. I'll try to get photos this weekend.

[gmm1]

Thanks for the welcome. Actually my desk faces straight out across Clifford St. and I have debris falling before my eyes (it's quite distracting). I'll have to bring my digital camera to work Monday and snap a few.

[SNWEB]

Knocking down the actual exterior walls?

At exaclt what location are they knocking it down from currently? Looking from the back is it the furthest right wing (the 1915 addition)

Thanks

[lelandpalmer]

I have current photos at my blog Fadeddetroit

[gmm1]

Knocking down the actual exterior walls?

At exaclt what location are they knocking it down from currently? Looking from the back is it the furthest right wing (the 1915 addition)

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On the 1915 addition, they're removing the wall that surrounds the roof (I would call it a Cornice) starting on the north side of the wing (Opposite of Washington Blvd). On the center and north wing, they're on the top floor and are working on all walls except the one facing bagley. lelandpalmer's blog pictures shows some of the removal. It appears that they are using the wings of the building to act as a funnel to keep the debris contained within itself. I saw more more bobcats on the ground when I walked in today so it looks like they are going to pick up the pace.

[Allan]

I took photos when I was downtown yesterday; the building's demolition looks no further along compared to LelandPalmer's photos. I'm sure they will pick up the pace this week.

[Allan]

These photos are from yesterday.

[monsoon]

You are catching history with your excellent photos Allan. In the far off future you will be able to show people "what was".

[SOSaD]

Why the lack of photos? I would think this forum would be exploding with them as exterior demolition has begun.

[Allan]

It looks about the same now as it did a couple weeks ago. It is going to take 6-8 months to take the whole building down.

[Aaron]

Why the lack of photos? I would think this forum would be exploding with them as exterior demolition has begun.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Photos from less than a week ago too old for ya? Patience, son, it's gonna take a while to tear the beast down at that pace.

[WBG4]

Any updates?

[Allan]

Yeah, I just need to stop being lazy. LOL. I will post some more this afternoon.

[WBG4]

Thank you

[Allan]

Saturday, May 7, 2005

Tuesday May 10, 2005

Saturday May 14, 2005