Detroit Architecture

Detroit has amazing architecture. Some of it is in ruins, some of it is restored and used daily.

Bill and I were in Detroit for the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show, or Auto show for short). As we left Cobo and headed to lunch, I was keen on taking photos from the car of some of the amazing buildings the Motor City has to offer.

I snapped these while we waited at stop lights.

 I cleverly snapped a picture of the name over the door.

 Again, I captured the name of the building. I'm so clever.

 This is the Guardian Building. 

It supposedly has an amazing lobby. "Supposedly" because I've not seen it and am told about it by everyone; mostly my husband every time we pass the building, or cross the county line into Detroit.

 Buhl Building (see, I did that so if you asked, I would know)

 The County Courthouse, behind the man walking, almost out of view. It is not currently in use.

 I was actually taking a picture of the red brick/stone building in the middle of this photograph but then I noticed the skyscraper behind it. Bonus!

This is the Presbyterian Church (?) See? I didn't take a photo of the sign and now I don't remember. 

It is a church for sure. Let's just stick with Presbyterian.

And this, this is downtown from the top of Cobo Hall. This is a photo from last year. It was gray, more gray and more shades of gray this year. 

 This is from the RenCen c. August 2013, when we were in Detroit for our anniversary. You cannot see the roof of Cobo Hall (I was hoping you could).

This is looking down from our room. You can see the line of traffic into the tunnel (to Canada), at the top of the photograph.

There are also many abandoned buildings that people flock to and refer to as "ruined porn". There are books and blogs full of photos of these buildings. 

Slowly, very slowly, it seems as though life is being breathed back into the city. There are sections of the city that are full of life and bursting with energy. Then you pass through blocks of unending blocks of burned out shells of buildings. Stately homes and neighborhoods, empty and lonely. A ghost town of the present. It's eerie and beautiful all at the same time. It feels like you're in another country, a country torn apart from war. 

Detroit has a lot to offer but it continues to be the ugly step-child. Architecture buffs, historians, and hard-working citizens don't know what to make of it. It's a good example of too much sprawl. Everyone moved to the suburbs and left the city to rot. A few stayed behind and stood their ground. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have Detroit. She's making a come-back. 

And while I won't ever make the mistake of taking the Grand River exit off of 696 where I called Bill when I got to 7-mile and he was heard throughout the Barnes & Noble screaming, "LOCK YOUR DOORS & TURN AROUND!!!" I will go to the Motor City any chance I get. I will go to Tigers games, the Auto show, and other events. I will go for delicious dinners, to visit friends, and to fly out of DTW. I will take pictures to share, to show you and everyone else that Detroit is not the ugly step-child, but the prodigal son. Returning to the former glory to celebrate the best thing that it's known for… 

Cars.

Take me out to the ball game...

Back at Christmas, Bill was sent an email from CMU to buy tickets to a Tigers game on June 6th as an alumni event. We asked our friends Chandra and Jason if they would like to come with us.

Friday, June 6th arrived and the four of us headed to Detroit (Motor City) to Comerica Park. We found the alumni reception where we each got our free popcorn and free CMU t-shirts. We had some refreshing beverages and then went out found out stadium seats.

There is no such thing as a bad seat in newer stadiums. We were along the third base line, well into outfield. There were only about four more sections to the end. We were also in the third tier. Again, not bad seats, we had a great view of the entire field. The down side only came when a ball was hit high; then perspective really threw us all off and we had a difficult time figuring out where it was going to land. Fortunately, the Tigers did not have that perspective and were able to make several easy catches.

My phone quickly died. But Chandra and Bill had theirs, so we have a few good pictures. Like this one.

Then there's this one.

 We were having way too much fun. Can  you see Jason in the background (just behind Bill's left ear) paying close attention to the game. I watched most of the game, but it is baseball. Talking is allowed.

And so are silly photos.

The Tigers beat the Red Sox 6-2. It was a great game with a couple of home runs. 

We stayed for the fireworks which were not disappointing. They were spectacular! And our seats were perfect. The majority of the fireworks were right at our level. It was a lovely evening.

Detroit, Motor City

The designs that come out of that city are beautiful.

If you like cars. Or can at least appreciate them.

Since Bill and I met, fifteen years ago (!), we have been to the North American International Auto Show many times. At least half a dozen, which doesn't sound like much until I point out that we didn't live in the midwest for five years (since we've been married). And, actually, Bill has been every year except for those five.

There have been good years and there have been blah years. Cars that didn't impress, manufacturer's displays that were bland, technology that didn't wow or impress. 

But the years that have been good, are really, really good.

This year was a good year. A really, really, really good year.

I appreciate the small details and when it's a good year the displays are superb. Every last detail is thought through. From the floors of the displays, to the backdrops, to the style of the information booths. It's all there and it's all impressive.

This year, we parked on the roof of Cobo. That was a first for me. We got there early enough, and as you can see, it was a good day to park on the roof (this of course was a completely different picture when we left the show three hours later).

No, this is not a concept car. Well, not for the 2015 year. It was back in 1962. It's the Mustang I. Remember your history, remember where you came from. That's forward thinking from Ford (I'm being serious, not sarcastic when I say this).

The badge. How American is that?

This is a 1932 Lincoln KB Deitrich Coupe (part of the collection from the Gilmore Museum in Kalamazoo, a trip that we need to take soon). Another car company remembering their past (yes, they're a part of Ford, so there's probably a reason they are both remembering their history, it's still an important lesson). 

Those white walls are gorgeous!

Again, it's all in the details, like the signage.

It's a show room for each car manufacturer. While Bill drools over the cars, the performance, the size of the engine, liter, etc. I am impressed by the big picture. That all of these small details work together to make up this uber impressive show.

 I realize these signs aren't giving a great perspective. They are on the display walls, and are probably anywhere from two to three feet tall, at least.

And there's always the Corvette. What a machine.

 I appreciate the technology, the artistry, the design, and the love of and for cars that Detroit has maintained.