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Originally standing on the site of GM’s Detroit–Hamtramck assembly plant, Dodge Main was the first, and primary factory built by the Dodge brothers. The mammoth complex opened in 1914 marking the beginning for one of Detroit’s trademark brands. The brothers got their start manufacturing parts for Ford and other small Detroit automakers before launching their own truck line. The site encompassed a foundry, a black smith, body shop, paint shop, and machine shop, along with two assembly lines, two powerhouses, a test facility and test track, plus offices. Dodge Main was a completely self-contained factory that produced finished trucks from raw iron ore. It was comparable to Ford’s Rouge plant in Dearborn because of its ability to create all the parts needed for assembly on site. |
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At the peek of production in the late 1950s, over 55,000 mostly polish speaking workers reported to work here in a single day, a far cry from the less than 2,000 employees that operate the factory today. The Dodge brand was sold to Chrysler in 1928, but the doors didn’t close here until 1981. The buildings design was doomed in the modern industrial era because of inefficiency; heat loss and low sales made the old factory too costly to continue to operate. The site was demolished in 1982 to make room for GM’s new modern assembly plant that opened in 1988. Chevy hopes to start production of the Volt hybrid electric here in 2010, but currently the future of the Big 3 are unclear.
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Named for the father of a former Detroit Mayor, the 13 separate High-rise towers, five smaller towers, and 415 low-rise town homes of the Jeffries-West Public Housing Project are all but a faded memory of a distant past. Built in the early 1950s, the towers opened to the public in 1953, and additional buildings were added in the following years. Once a lively and friendly neighborhood, the Jeffries Projects fell into the despair during the 1960s heroin epidemic, and later made worse by the 80s boom of crack-cocaine. A headquarters for the infamous “Ponydowns Drug Crew” and the even more notable “Young Boys Inc.” also known as YBI, the Jeffries were often the scene of police shootouts and territory disputes between the rival drug gangs. Often gang members would shoot at police and people in the courtyards from the above balconies. The project was also used by these gangs for its easy access to the skid row area of the city know as “The Cass Corridor” and the many inhabitance of this know narcotics zone. In late February of 1975, the heating system of the buildings was so far in disrepair a mechanical breakdown that winter left tenants without heat for several days. After years of neglect, the city housing commission condemned the buildings and slated them for demolition. Years later the process would begin. In April 2001 the last of the five largest towers were imploded, and just this past March the complete razing of the low-rises east of the Lodge Freeway was completed. Three high-rise buildings remain standing, retaken from the grips of decay and restored. Now part of the “Woodbridge Estates,” the restored apartments look and feel nothing like their notorious past. |
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| The 47-acre area that once accommodated 2,100+ homes and 8,000+ residents is now slated for mixed-use housing and retail development witch has yet to take any sort of shape. The current economic vacuum of Detroit and lack of city funding has ushered in new speculation of involvement by the Illich foundation, owned by Mike Illich, a well know real-estate investor and owner of the Detroit Red Wings. Sitting due east from his wife’s recently opened Motor City Casino, and just blocks from the city's architectural crown jewel, the Masonic Temple also owned by Illich, makes for a suitable location for a new hockey venue. A sandy dirt lot and scraps of bricks and metal are all that currently remain of this post WWII housing project. Left now to the memories of those who once called her home, a new day, with new hopes for change are on the horizon. |  |
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Located along the railroad tracks near the Detroit border, this complex once manufactured parts for the auto industry. Filled inside the warehouse space were pallets stacked with ceramic molds. Upon further inspection, I saw that they were for all sorts of auto parts. Some were for oil pans and others were for gears, this plant once created almost any part for a car or truck. Onsite were giant ovens, kilns, and all the floor space needed to create these parts. Another notable item inside was a 1970s fire truck. Stripped of the engine, the fire truck had been warehoused here along side other junk cars and part of a school bus. This structure no longer stands. It was the scene of a massive fire during the past couple of years. Its structure was badly compromised with beams and supports scattered about waiting to be stolen by scrappers. This complex was leveled in the spring of 2008.
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Launching in 1909, Hupp began producing cars in Detroit at a facility located on Bellevue Street, but later moved to a new factory located at the once existing intersection of Milwaukee and Moran. He got his start in the auto industry working for Ford and Oldsmobile, but later sold his stake in the company after only a few years of operation. The Hupmobile brand operated in Detroit until going out of business in 1940. The company struggled to be profitable because they had several products lines, all with low sales; none were ever able to make a profit. Various other companies used the old Hupp factory before going abandoned in the late 1970s. It was later torn down in the mid 1980s to make room for the GM Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant that still operates today.
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| Sadly this beautiful crown jewel of the Wayne State University housing district recently met a fate similar to other historic and architectural wonders in this town. On the morning of February 6 th, 2008 a small fourth floor fire broke out witch quickly escalated from a relatively small 2-alarm fire, and then into a 5-alarm blaze. Residents were awakened around 3:45am to find the 1903 apartment filled with dense black smoke. On a cold Tuesday morning a crowd of residence and onlookers gathered and watched as the fourth floor burned completely through. The cause of this devastating fire is presumed to have stemmed from a disgruntled, soon to be evicted tenant who, in an especially selfish act allegedly set the fire in his own unit. The building now sits empty, destroyed and unsafe… a complete and utter loss. Multiple business and dozens of tenants were left with nothing to return to. | ||
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Back in the summer of 2005, a wicked fire moved quickly through the Piquette-Studebaker Warehouse and destroyed all that lie in her way. The site of the old Studebaker Automotive Plant was destined for a blaze of glory. Made of brick and wood, this tinderbox was ready to catch fire at any moment. As a historical site, it was tough to see this particular building destroyed. Its brick window frames and multi-dimensional front design gave it a cretin personality, that of a wise, but old and tired being. Just standing next to it you could feel the history that was contained inside. Unfortunately I never had a chance to explore this building thoroughly from the inside, making the loss that much more agonizing. Constructed: 1904 Style: Industrial Manufacturing Crossroads: Piquette & Brush / Milwaukee Junction Area / Floors: 4 floors / 3.11 acres Demolished: 2005 |
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Once the crown jewel of shopping downtown, this massive structure was imploded in 1998. Now partially occupying the site is the Compuware Building, and an empty lot that Rock Financial had plans to possibly build on, but in the face of a depression in Michigan, plans have stalled. Constructed: 1911-1946 Architect: Constructed in 12 stages by different firms Style: Retail Department Store Crossroads: Woodward & Gratiot Area / Floors: 33 Floors / 2.2 Million square feet Abandoned: 1983 Demolished: 1998
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The Lindell AC is credited with being the first sports bar in the United States. Its most popular days extended from the early 1950s thru the 1970s. This was the spot to be after a Tiger or Redwings game to meet the players. After closing down in 2002, it was torn down to make room for the Rosa Parks Bus Terminal.
Constructed: 1949 Architect: Unknown Style: Low Rise Crossroads: Cass & Michigan Area / Floors: 4 Floors Abandoned: Late 2002 Demolished: 2006 |
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Back in a time when Detroit had a shopping district downtown, The People’s Outfitters was competition for Hudson’s and Crowleys. After a decade of sitting vacant, this structure was demolished to make room for a new condo development on the site called the Griswold. However because of the economy, only a parking structure was constructed for the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel.
Constructed: 1915 Architect: Unknown Style: High Rise Crossroads: Michigan & Shelby Area / Floors: 12 Floors Abandoned: 1997 Demolished: 2006
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Over the years, this hotel has had several renovations and survived the depression. It was not as lucky as other well-known downtown hotels that have recently been saved. This historic hotel once hosted people from around the world attending conventions. It was torn down shortly before the Super Bowl came to town to help improve the image of the city.
Constructed: 1915 Architect: George B. Post Style: Italian Renaissance Crossroads: Washington & Park Ave. Area / Floors: 17 Floors Abandoned: 1975 Demolished: 2005
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A small hotel once located on the east side of downtown, this French inspired architecture was razed in 2005 by the Illitch family. The historic building was converted into a blacktop parking lot, in spite of offers from other development groups to convert it into condos.
Constructed: 1901 Architect: A.C. Varney Style: Hotel / Residential Crossroads: Grand River & Madison Area / Floors: 9 Abandoned: 1993 Demolished: 2005
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Nestled in the heart of Detroit’s Riverfront project, these symbols of Detroit’s industrial past had to be torn down. The area was once home to some of Detroit’s dirtiest industries: rubber plants, coal power plants, boat factories, and chemical plants. Soon to be replaced with residential buildings and green parks, this area is in the midst of a turnaround. This area is also home to Michigan’s first Urban State Park.
Constructed: Unknown Architect: Unknown Style: Industrial Crossroads: Atwater / St. Aubin Area / Floors: N/A Abandoned: Late 1990s Demolished: 2006
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This department store was located on Woodward in the former Merchants Row shopping district. It was demolished in 2004 to make way for a mostly unused parking structure and mixed use development in the former Charter One headquarters. Constructed: Unknown Architect: Unknown Style: High rise Crossroads: Woodward & State Area / Floors: 7 Floors Abandoned: Demolished: 2004 |
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Although the Donovan building was around long before the Motown sound, its claim to fame is the four years Barry Gordy and Motown Records were headquartered here. Motown Records moved to L.A. in 1972, leaving Detroit and the Donovan behind. Recent plans to build a Motown Museum on the site have fallen through. There are no plans for development. Constructed: 1922 Architect: Albert Kahn Style: High Rise Crossroads: Woodward / Fisher Area / Floors: 10 Floors Abandoned: 1974 Demolished: 2006 |
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Once a corner stone of Grand Circus Park, this building outgrew its use and was dismantled brick by brick to make way for Comerica Park. The old red brick Y.M.C.A. has now been replaced with the modern glass and steel Boyle Family Style: High Rise Crossroads: East Adams & Witherell Area / Floors: 9 Floors Abandoned: 1990's Demolished: 1998
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Another of Detroit’s legendary hotels, this building was torn down by the city. Once an elegant place to stay in Detroit, it became too costly and run down to stay in business. Like the Statler that sat next door, this red brick structure underwent numerous additions and renovations. It was lost to the wrecking ball in 1992. Constructed: 1906 Architect: Unknown Style: Unknown Crossroads: Park Ave. & Washington Area / Floors: 14 Floors / 800 Rooms Abandoned: 1976 Demolished: 1992
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