The Ruins of Detroit

DucatiTorrey · February 26, 2011, 09:20:52 AM

I grew up in West Michigan on beaches and in small towns. I have always been a redwings and tigers fan, but sadly always considered the east side of the state, mainly Detroit, crap. And unfortunately, supposedly so does the rest of the country. And partly its true. Detroit has has seen really hard times.

But because good news doesn't make the news, people aren't aware of the small Renaissance downtown, with new food spots, movies being filmed and a number of (like the rest of Michigan) microbreweries popping down near the ballparks.

Unfortunately many of the old art deco buildings of Detroits great days are still standing empty. An artist took photos of some of these spots in amazing detail. Here are a few. Follow the link at the bottom for the rest. And, if you're ever in the area, honestly, visit Detroit, its an amazing town.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011/02/07/captured-the-ruins-of-detroit/2672/

Randimus Maximus · February 26, 2011, 09:30:25 AM

I just saw another book on the same subject called "Detroit Dissasembled".

Interestingly, some of the same buildings are featured in both, like the melting clock photo.

http://www.akronartmuseum.org/exhibitions/details.php?unid=1499

Duck-Stew · February 26, 2011, 11:14:31 AM

Having grown up in a 'burb of the Big D, these photos hit home...

I remember looking at buildings for sale downtown before I left in '99. Almost pulled the trigger on a 5-story just 1 block from the river...

the_Journeyman · February 26, 2011, 11:44:35 AM

I follow a lot of Urban Exploration and LOVE pictures like these.

JM

DesmoDiva · February 26, 2011, 02:33:57 PM

Reminds me of some the great buildings we have deterorating in Buffalo.

Too bad we lost one of the greatest in the 50's to a parking lot...

RIP...Larkin Building.

Randimus Maximus · February 26, 2011, 02:40:21 PM

Quote from: DesmoDiva on February 26, 2011, 02:33:57 PM
Reminds me of some the great buildings we have deterorating in Buffalo.

Too bad we lost on of the greatest in the 50's to a parking lot...

RIP...Larkin Building.

Similar thing happened here in Denver in the 60's. Started tearing down all the old brick buildings (1850ish time period) to build a new modern space-age city. Thankfully they ran out of money after 20% of them came down.

Bick · February 26, 2011, 02:51:55 PM

Quote from: Randimus Maximus on February 26, 2011, 02:40:21 PM
Similar thing happened here in Denver in the 60's. Started tearing down all the old brick buildings (1850ish time period) to build a new modern space-age city. Thankfully they ran out of money after 20% of them came down.

'70's, into the very early '80's were the worst - the era of Big Oil in Denver.

I still remember a lot of the old mansions in Cap Hill that were torn down to build condos.

Randimus Maximus · February 26, 2011, 02:56:40 PM

Quote from: Jerry Attrick on February 26, 2011, 02:51:55 PM
'70's, into the very early '80's were the worst - the era of Big Oil in Denver.

I still remember a lot of the old mansions in Cap Hill that were torn down to build condos.

You would remember "way back then", wouldn't you!

Bick · February 26, 2011, 02:59:18 PM

Quote from: Randimus Maximus on February 26, 2011, 02:56:40 PM
You would remember "way back then", wouldn't you!

Good days, those were, sonny boy.

Speedbag · February 26, 2011, 03:17:54 PM

Cool stuff, reminds me of this site: http://www.opacity.us/locations/

There's another one I can't recall the name of at the moment....

RVA Duc · February 26, 2011, 03:27:30 PM

Great pics. You would think they would bring those old buildings back to life. They have been redoing old buildings here in Richmond VA for a while now really bringing the city back to life.

the_Journeyman · February 26, 2011, 05:22:22 PM

Quote from: Speedbag on February 26, 2011, 03:17:54 PM
Cool stuff, reminds me of this site: http://www.opacity.us/locations/

There's another one I can't recall the name of at the moment....

Great site, I'm a member over there. So many great pics like the ones in this thread ~

JM

bulldogs2k · February 27, 2011, 07:17:37 AM

My brother lives in Cleavland and I told him to move into the city since the Coast Guard station is across from the Browns stadium. A lot of city revitalization going on and is a GREAT investment opportunity....Since it's a great idea, he decided to move to the burbs

What is our fascination with living in the 'burbs

badgalbetty · February 27, 2011, 07:31:22 AM

I have seen many old and wonderful buildings in my life in various states of disrepair. It is a dreadful shame that humanityplaces little or no architectural value on them. Some ,are truly works of art. My advice is if this topic interests you see as much as you can and photogragh it for one day it will be gone. And that will be a shame. Man is his own worst enemy.
Thank you for the links, Detroit looks like it was a wonderful place once upon a time.

Statler · February 27, 2011, 08:42:08 AM

who is the mysterious "they" people keep talking about who should save the buildings?

News:

The Ruins of Detroit