I joke, but I honestly never thought I would live to see the day this house got covered up.
If you’ve spent any time cruising around the city, you’ll know the house I’m talking about.
401 Parent, located on the south west corner of University and Parent…
Has looked like this as long as I can remember. The photo above dates to 2001, and earlier this year, it still looked like that – wrapped in a ratty faded Tyvek. I’m certain it spent some time in Tyvek prior to my arrival in the neighbourhood in 2001…
Yesterday on my way home from the CJAM studios, I drove past it and was stopped dead in my tracks.
It’s been sided. There’s hope yet….
Looks pretty good – better than Tyvek.
There’s an article in the Freep today about tearing down the Lafayette Building – FYI
Nice…other than that balcony.
Incredible. It looks good.
I had seen that a few weeks back and was astonished myself. I thought they did a really good job as well. In fact that grey colour is close to period though I don’t think the owner intended to do that but it is a bonus anyway.
Rich, agreed the balcony isn’t great, and I’m not crazy about the porch being enclosed, however, compared to the “renovation” over at 839 Assumption [http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=484] I’ll take this somewhat architecturally sensitive upgrade over the obliteration of the past… 🙂
We moved here in 2001 as well and have been watching the garden progress at this house ever since, wondering why they’d leave the place wrapped in tyvek for so long when they clearly care enough about the place to put a nice garden in. I noticed the siding when biking past the house some time in November. Ran straight home to Pete and shouted, “there’s siding on the tyvek house!”.
The porch up there does look kind of horrible but it could be a lot worse, I think.
I can remember when the ugly paper/asphalt/bitumen siding was removed to reveal what a gem this house is. I think the longevity of the project had only to do with limited resources (money). I think from the very beginning the owner(s)intended to do the right thing and I think they even understood the relevance of the home. Two more on the block and maybe there will be a revolution.
As far as the porch/balcony goes we know one thing: It is easily removed and replaced. Your vexation is stucco on foam; mine is pressure treated lumber. The worst, wood imaginable; sold with the magic of a chemical treatment. Woopey! People buy it because as Homer would say: “ITS GREEEN MARGE!” It should never be used on buildings; especially on the front of buildings. It’s only use is fences and decks and only in the right settings. People buy it because they think it will last longer. Not true plus it will always warp,twist and check within the first two years. It’s Green lumber in more ways than one. This house looks nice all trimmed out in white paint. The porch will never, ever fit in because it looks limited and paint will never adhere to pressure treated wood. They are at the ten yard line. So little to go.
Very true M.O.M. To me the lumber is easily replaced, and it does no lasting damage unlike the my good pal E.I.F.S. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exterior_Insulation_Finishing_System
I`ve gotta say thumbs up to this homeowner. Finally, people who actually care.
But wtf, I can`t believe they`d start the process on tearing down the 14 storey Lafayette Building, designed by Howard C. Crane, for another parking lot. Is nothing sacred in Detroit. Just a few years ago, Florida developers were telling the city that if they get the building for $200,000, they`d turn it into condos. http://www.detnews.com/2005/business/0506/21/C01-222525.htm
What happened. What about all those million dollar condos the Book Cadillac claims they`ve sold just across the street. All of sudden there`s no condo market.
hahah, funny how it was in the works for so long. I too can’t believe it’s finished. My girlfriend always says when we drive by, “Beautiful house, in the wrong neighbourhood”.
The sad part is that the entire neighbourhood was once a decent thriving one. Where is the investment in neighbourhood our illustrious mayor flapped his gums about? I guess big box stores and new subdivisions are the answer.
That is definately a rough part of town. Its funny and a bit sad how they turned a lot of these big older houses into multi-unit properties. It cheapens them, and their appeal a bit, in my opinion…
Interesting aerial shot. I see a number of houses have a roof like a cross. This particular house looks enormous. Must have been expensive to side. It looks beautiful.