Back before Christmas, there was a post on Cody Hall, and in the comment, the discussion turned to McPherson Lounge in Electa Hall. Today’s photos come from regular reader westerntragedy, who visited McPherson Lounge, and happened to have his camera. 🙂
As a side note, westerntragedy runs the excellent photoblog Windsor Visuals. A big thanks goes out to westerntragedy for sharing his photos here, based on our earlier discussion. Be sure to check out his work…
McPherson Lounge sits atop the addition on Electa Hall, which was built by the Windsor firm of Johnson & McWhinnie in 1962.
A view of the rear of the building, the outdoor terrace is visible.
An old sign pointing you towards the elevators.
The locked double doors to the vacant McPherson Lounge.
The Bar
A view of the lounge, what a great space. elevated with Windows on both sides. It’s unbelievable that this place is vacant.
An old photo of the lounge when it was a happening place.
The view from the kitchen windows, overlooking the campus.
A view of the bridge and the now rotting outdoor deck.
The view overlooking downtown Windsor and Detroit.
A podium with the old U of W logo.
A dated solid wood ceiling light.
A private club room in the back. Now used for meetings of the University Student Association.
A photo of the class of 1937, of which Leon Z. McPherson was a member. The lounge presumably closed in November of 1993 2003, when a new McPherson Lounge was dedicated at the new Alumni Hall and Conference Centre on Sunset Avenue.
Again a big thanks goes out to westerntragedy for these shots.
I’m curious about something. What happened to the Grad Pub since the Grad House was demolished on Sunset? If they don’t have a place anymore, why couldn’t the Unversity let the GSA have the McPherson Lounge? It seems like such a waste to just leave it empty like the David Whitney Building or some other vacant Detroit skyscraper.
I’m curios to know how long ago these pictures were taken?
I’m not certain exactly when, but certainly within the last year.
I went to a wedding reception there back in the mid 90’s. The views from the deck were amazing when the sun set.
The lounge has been closed for years due to security issues. Its within a residence building and there is no separate entry/exit. To get to the 6th floor you need to access the same elevator or stairs which serve the residential floors. The west facing patio is off limits due to the rotting wood deck and guards that don’t meet today’s code. I’ve been on the patio, its a scare place, nice views though! There is really no point in sinking money into it until the access issues are addressed. I haven’t been up there for years but I think Res. services may be using it as a lounge for the tenants. The new MacPherson Lounge is located on the main floor of Alumni hall, in this case the residence areas are separated from public areas.
Great entry! I love the podium.
Just one note, you said “The lounge presumably closed in November of 1993, when a new McPherson Lounge was dedicated at the new Alumni Hall and Conference Centre on Sunset Avenue.”
Alumni hall was actual opened in 2003 I do believe.
Just thought I would mention it.
Jill, you’re right! I guess I had it closed a decade earlier.
Thanks.
I was still kicking around the U in 99/00 and by then the lounge was only in very occasional/sporadic use due to a number of issues–access issues, aging facilities, difficulty with vermin and–of course–the rotting deck. Once the revamp plan fell through I think Conference Services fully relinquished the space–and I assume it’s now under the supervision/care of Residence Services–considering it’s sitting on top of their building.
I should add that in the photo of the bar you see a great little gem–on the wall is a framed piece showing the masts/logos of the lakers that cross the Detroit River–it’s basically a mini version of what was once on the second level of the Cleary Guest House.