Corner of Fort and Third Street, Detroit 1973-2010
The Old Union Depot, built between 1891-93 was a beautiful example of Romanesque Revival architecture only to be replace by a rather non-descript, severed cube.
Crowley's Department Store, Farmer St., Detroit 1973-2010
Crowley's was a direct competitor to Hudson's Department Store which sat kitty-corner to each other. It was replaced by a parking structure that serviced the new Compuware building.
1206 Woodward Avenue, Detroit 1973-2010
Hudson's was Detroit's flagship department store for over a century, but after weak sales figures and a transfer of ownership to the retail giant Target, the building was demolished in 1998 to much television coverage and protests. Today the property still sits vacant waiting for redevelopment.
John Bagley Memorial, Campus Martius, Detroit 1973-2010
Removed for the restoration and redevelopment of Campus Martius, The Bagley Memorial, designed by noted architect H.H. Richardson, was relocated around the corner and now sits on the east end of Cadillac Square at Bates St.
Corner of State St. and Woodward Avenue, Detroit 1973-2010
The beautiful Parker Building (B. Seigel's) lost the battle to another parking garage. It was the last standing cast-iron facade building in Detroit.
Great Hall, Michigan Central RR Station, Detroit 1973-2010
Already being used for storage in 1973, the Geat Hall became a popular destination spot for raves, graffetti artists, and European tourists curious to see one of Detroit's most iconic symbols of urban decay.
Detail, Great Hall, Michigan Central RR Station, Detroit 1973-2010
Lower Concourse, Michigan Central RR Station, Detroit 1973-2010
This concourse, located underground below the main track lines, is shuttered in complete darkness. My good friend Keith Emmerich painted the scene with an LED flashlight while I made the exposure.
Waiting Room, Michigan Central RR Station, Detroit 1973-2010
Stage, Vanity Ballroom, 1024 Newport, Detroit, 1973-2010
The Vanity Ballroom was one of the main venues in Detroit that highlighted such Big Band luminaries as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Tommy Dorsey. When I photographed it in 1973 it had already lost much of its appeal, booking events only occasionally.
8000 Oakland Avenue, Detroit 1973-2010
Thousands of buildings have been raised over the years leaving much of Detroit feeling more like a rural prairie town than a major metropolitan city.
Stair Detail, Farwell Building, 1249 Griswold St, Detroit 1973-2010
The Farwell Buidling was without question one of Detroit's most prized architectural jewels. Adorned with Tiffany domed lampshades in the main foyer (which were stolen) and irridescent moasic glass tiles throughout its eight floors, it was one of Tiffany's best architectural examples, equal to the Chicago Cultural Center building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.Due to its historical significance, the state forced back posession of the building and purchased it back from the owner who had left it rotting for 25 years. Plans are to rehab the building as best they can to its original condition.
Foyer Detail, Farwell Building, 1249 Griswold St, Detroit 1973-2010
8600 Chrysler Drive, Detroit 1971-2010
The recently built American Axle Corporation plant now sits idle where once a local coal supplier, among other small retail shops, provided fuel and services for neighboring homes. The corporate offices closed the plant and moved its operations to Mexico in 2009 laying off over a thousand Detroit workers in the process.
1037 Farmer Street, Detroit 1973-2010
3935 Russell Street, Detroit 1973-2010
Whole neighborhoods vanished when PepsiCo built a new botteling distribution plant. This particular house which had historical significance was one of the oldest brick homes in the area, built around 1860. Nice trucks.
Corner of Brush Street and Monroe, Detroit 1974-2010
1332 Bagley Street, Corktown, Detroit 1973-2010
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Building, 1942 West Grand River, Detroit 1973-2010
Corner of Alfred and Brush Streets, Detroit 1973-2010
1705 6th Street, Corktown, Detroit 1973-2010
One of the oldest houses in Detroit, Circa 1860. The interior hasn't faired so well having gone through a less that sympathic 80's style post-modern redo. Really atrocious.
1563 Broadway Street, Detroit 1973-2010
Corner of Clifford Street and Fisher Freeway, Detroit 1973-2010
Former Gabriel Chene Jr. Residence (later Little Harrys Restaurnat), 2681 E. Jefferson, Detroit 1973-2012
Demolished in 1991, the Chene house was one of the last remaining Federal Style houses built in Detroit with a significant historical provenance. Built in 1850's, it lost its battle to an IHOP owned by the pop signing star Anita Baker.
Corner of Griswold Street and Michigan Avenue, Detroit 1973-2010
Monroe Street between Woodward Ave. and Farmer, Detroit 1973-2010
The Detroit Building, 2210 Park Avenue, Detroit 1973-2010
Former Stroh Brewery Company, Gratiot and I-75, Detroit 1973-2010
Currently the site of Crain's Communications.
419 Monroe Street, Greektown, Detroit 1972-2012
Looking North, Woodward Avenue from Campus Martius, Detroit 1972-2010
Today the sidewalks have been widened and the street narrowed.
