This past week, Fbixz and I decided to venture into the urban wilderness once again. Not knowing what to expect, we were initially confronted with disappointment but closer examination resulted in an unprecedented success!

This office building was constructed in 1915 and featured lavish interior decoration. Thousands of Tiffany glass tiles covered the arched ceilings and Tiffany chandeliers - today, long gone - were used to light the main lobby. The brass and marble elevators, also long gone, were supposedly unrivaled by any others in the city. The building underwent two re-modelings in 1956 and 1974 and was added to the state's list of historic sites that same year. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places but only 8 years later, it closed permanently due to a lack of tenants. In 2009, the state bought the building from its previous owners for 3.3 million dollars with the intent of renovating it and revitalizing the surrounding area. To date, there is only a bit of evidence of renovation and the building still has a long way to go before business is once again carried out here.


1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7. Haha, funbidden...


8.


9. Likely the most well known aspect of the building, this six story atrium culminates with a skylight on the roof. The iron hand rails you see on the first balcony used to adorn every balcony. Only recently have the 2x4 railings been installed, a promising sign for the supposed renovation of this building.


10.


11. And some rooftop shots.


12.


13.


14.


15. And for those of you who don't believe in ghosts, explain this one! Courtesy of Fbixz.


Thanks for looking!

Wow, I really love the close-up of the glass tiles in #5. A beautiful looking building!

Your title reminds me of a quote I recently learned that is apparently an old proverb from somewhere in Africa:

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

I read that somewhere and really liked it.

Wow, I really love the close-up of the glass tiles in #5. A beautiful looking building!

Thanks! It was a beautiful building indeed and I'm really hoping they will restore it to most of its former glory.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

I feel like I've heard that before... Regardless, thanks for sharing it!

Nice! Detroit must be a fantastic city to explore. I love the shots looking down all the balconies. Dat ghost is 2spooky4me

Nice! Detroit must be a fantastic city to explore. I love the shots looking down all the balconies. Dat ghost is 2spooky4me

Thanks man! Detroit certainly is a fantastic place to explore but surprisingly, many locations are getting renovated relatively quickly. In a few decades, there might be nothing to do but climb the cranes for new skyscrapers! Haha what a joke...