Posts Tagged ‘black and white photography’
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Albert Kahn designed both the Kales and Park Avenue buildings in downtown Detroit’s Grand Circus Park. Kahn’s Park Avenue Building, built in 1922 was located in an area with many commercial, retail and office space centers.
Facades facing the street are adorned with arched windows and panels of carved reliefs between panes. A rusty marquee with faded lettering perches over the boarded up entrance. A vintage restaurant sign can still be seen under the marquee, it’s neon tubes long removed. Abandoned since the 1970’s, it hobbles into the new century.
Reference
B01 Archive
Tags: 1920's commercial and retail buildings in Detroit, 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned places, Albert Kahn architecture Detroit, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, fine art prints, Grand Circus Park Detroit MI, Kodak TMAX 400 Professional Film, Michigan, Park Avenue building Detroit, Park Avenue Building Detroit MI, photographic prints, photography, silentbuildings, urban exploration, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Thursday, June 11th, 2009
The Metropolitan Building
The Metropolitan Building is a 15 story office building in downtown Detroit. Architects Weston and Ellington designed this structure a Neo-Gothic style, and completed it in 1924-1925. Most of the buildings tenants comprised of business offices, stores and jewelers. The site was closed in 1977 and has remained abandoned.
Exterior
The Metropolitan sits adjacent to the Wurlitzer building. Brick and granite compose most of the lower levels and the top 5 floors are coated with terra cotta that is shaped into decorative motifs. The buildings center tower on the 15th floor contains the building’s water tank, and vertigo inducing fire escapes which adorn each side of the structure. Decades of neglect have rusted the metal fixtures at the front entrance. A garish awning at the front entrance protects the buildings original sign rendered in Art Noveau lettering .
The Wurlitzer Building
Wurlitzer Building was designed by Robert Finn and built by Otto Misch Co. in 1926. This 14 story building is designed in the Renaissance Revival style. The Wurlitzer is a steel framed structure made of reinforced concrete, terra cotta face, and granite columns. Wurlitzer’s name on the south side of the building could be mistaken for a ghost sign. Closer inspection revealed that the company’s name in black letters and white background were composed of terra cotta blocks.
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. was founded in 1856 and sold instruments before making pianos. Silent films of the early 1920’s created a demand for an organ that could produce special effects and traditional sounds during movies. After Rudolph Wurlitzer died in 1914 his sons continued the business building jukeboxes. Wurlitzer was well known for their pianos, organs and jukeboxes. In 1940 the building was modernized for more display space. It was abandoned in the late 1970’s and it’s future remains uncertain.
Reference
B01 Archive
Tags: 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned places, Art Noveau typography Detroit, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, Detroit architecture, fine art prints, Kodak TMAX 400, Metropolitan Building, Metropolitan building Detroit, Michigan, Neo-Gothic style building, Otto Misch Co, photographic prints, photography, Robert Finn design, Rudolph Wurlitzer Co, silentbuildings, urban exploration, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton, Weston and Ellington Architects, Wurlitzer Building, Wurlitzer building Detroit MI, Wurlitzer Detroit office building, Wurlitzer jukeboxers, Wurlitzer theater organs
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Thursday, June 11th, 2009
The Kales and Park Avenue buildings are located in Detroit’s Grand Circus Park area. They were both designed by Albert Kahn. The Park Avenue Building was built in 1922 and located in an area with several commercial, retail and office centers. Building facades facing the street are adorned with carved reliefs, in serial adorning panels between arched windows. Faded lettering above an old boarded up marquee can still be seen. A vintage neon restaurant sign can still be seen on the south corner of the building, it’s neon tubes long removed. Abandoned since the 1970’s, it hobbles into the new century.
S. S. Kresge Company Building, aka the Kales Building
Grand Circus Park is definitely car oriented but still boasts wide sidewalks to handle pedestrians. The people mover runs above street level. S. S. Kresge Company Building was built in 1914 and designed using influences from the Chicago skyscraper style of architecture. The frame is steel and clad in white brick. There are few embellishments and the sparseness is noticeable compared to other buildings in the surrounding area built during the same time period. S. S. Kresge Company Building had it’s name changed to Kales building in 1930 after the company moved to another location also designed by Albert Kahn. The company would later be known as the successful commercial enterprise, K-Mart. It was abandoned in 1986.
Restoration began at the site in 2004. The Kales building has been successfully renovated into lofts and enhances the Grand Circus Park area.
Reference
Kales Building
B01 Archive
Tags: 1920's commercial and retail buildings in Detroit, 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned places, Albert Kahn architecture Detroit, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, Detroit historic preservation Kales Building, fine art prints, Grand Circus Park Detroit MI, Kales building, Kales successful historic preservation, Kodak TMAX 400 Professional Film, Michigan, Park Avenue building Detroit, Park Avenue Building Detroit MI, photographic prints, photography, restored historic commercial and retail structures in Detroit, S. S. Kresge Company Building Detroit, silentbuildings, Successful historic renovation, urban exploration, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Thursday, June 11th, 2009
This Art Deco style building was built in 1938. The cornerstone was removed sometime before March of 2010. Several excellent examples of art deco styling are still evident in detailing around windows and light fixtures. Other notable features are a large Salvation Army ghost sign and front entrance resembling a vintage movie theater marquee.
References
B01 Archive
Tags: 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned places, Art Deco architecture in Detroit, black and white photography, Canon 28mm FD lens, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, fine art prints, Kodak TMAX 400 Professional Film, Michigan, photographic prints, photography, Salvation Army 1938 cornerstone, Salvation Army Service Center Detroit, silentbuildings, urban exploration, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Monday, October 20th, 2008
2900 Slaughter House
This 3 story, 60,000 square foot structure was built in 1920 and originally served as an industrial distribution warehouse. A now defunct tannery operated across the street. The Thorn Apple Valley Inc. meatpacking company ran an operation from this facility till 1998.
The exterior is composed of unadorned red brick typical of industrial warehouse construction during the 1920’s. Large graffiti pieces adorned the outer walls above several loading dock bays. It rained the the night before so water was dripping through the leaky roof. Pipes and boilers were The only remaining artifacts of interest.
Koenig Coal Silos (Detroit, MI)
Koenig Coal Coal Yard silos were built in the 1920’s. Koenig Coal was established in 1870 and were dealers that sold coal and wood. They had two office locations in Detroit (circa 1878). The 362 Atwater Street location contained a dock and the 368 Gratoit Ave location contained a coal and wood yard.
An artificial valley was used by trains running through the Milwaukee Junction. Train tracks have been removed and the area is a well known area for graffiti murals. There are always a few outstanding pieces to see and they get replaced regularly.
Reference
A61 Archive
Tags: 2900 Slaughter House, 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned buildings, abandoned factories, abandoned silos, American Industrial ruins, analog photography, B&W photos, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Dequindre Cut, Dequindre Cut graff, Detroit, Detroit architecture, Detroit industrial archeology, Detroit Industrial buildings, Detroit manual photography, fine art prints, industrial ruins, infiltration, Koenig Coal Yards, meatpacking company, Michigan, modern ruins, photography, silentbuildings, steam train coal silos in Detroit, Thorn Apple Valley Inc. Detroit, UE, urban exploration, vintage, W Roland Hamilton 2008
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Sunday, September 28th, 2008
The CPA building has a Flatiron design and is located in Detroit’s Corktown area. Entrances are surrounded by ornate relief’s depicting various railroad related scenes. A large clock has stopped working , It’s hands frozen permanently at 10;45. A drive through window contained panels where window attendants or ATM machines may have been.
It turns out that the CPA is an acronym for Conductors Protective Association, a union organization. I learned the following information about the company (*1) “Mr. William Boss conceived the idea of forming an insurance company for railroad conductors, engineers and officials, insuring them against the loss of their positions on account of discharge, disability or old age, and in June, 1907, organized the Conductors Protective Assurance Company”
References
www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM56X2_CPA_Building_Detroit_M…
books.google.com/books?id=OZYUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA266&l…
(*1) The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922 by Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller. Published by The S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1922. Item notes: v. 4. Original from Harvard University
A46-4 archive
The CPA building is a Flatiron building in the Corktown area at the corner of Michigan and 14th Street. Surrounded by relief’s depicting various railroad related scenes was a dead clock. It’s hands frozen in time and left open to the elements unprotected by glass. A drive through window and panels where ATM machines may have been, hinted that the site may have been related to banking.
Tags: 35mm film camera, abandoned architecture, abandoned buildings, abandoned places, analog photography, B&W photos, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Conductors Protective Association Detroit, CPA building Detroit, Detroit, Detroit architecture, fine art prints, historic architecture in downtown Detroit, industrial and institutional ruins, manual photography, Michigan, ornate buildings in downtown Detroit, photography, silentbuildings, UE, urban exploration, Urbex, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
The Guild Inn was originally a private residence built for Colonel Harold Child Bickford (1876-1956), eventually becoming an Arts and Crafts colony in the 1930’s. Spencer Clark and his wife later purchased the land and were known for their art patronage and preservation projects. In 1996 various branches of the City of Toronto took over maintenance of buildings, park facilities and sculptures.
The Guild Inn is nestled within a quiet suburban neighbourhood deep in the heart of Scarborough. This unique park boasts classic Beaux Arts architecture of former bank buildings. Facades and sculptures are from buildings demolished during Toronto`s drive towards modern architecture. The park is a frequent destination for wedding photo shoots. Historical plaques near each piece made research easier.
Ionic capitals, from University of Toronto medical building, 1904-1967.
Banting and Best did diabetes research in this building.
Architects – Darling & Pearson.
Bank of Ontario (King & Bay, S. West corner), 1912-1966.
Architect/firm: Carrie & Hastings (NY), Eustace Bird, Toronto Associate.
Ionic columns. Bank of Nova Scotia (39 King St W),1903-1969.
Architect/firm: Darling & Pearson
Robert Holmes, 1881-1930.
Resident Guild sculptor – 1968-1970
Bank of Nova Scotia (39 King St. West), 1903-1969.
Architect/firm: Darling & Pearson
Quebec Bank est 1818 (37 King St. West), 1912-1969
Architect/firm: G Curry
Lions heads and plaques Toronto General Trusts Bldg, 1919-1969.
Pediment – Provincial Paper Building, 388 University Ave.
Architect/firm: Marani, Lawson & Morris – 1930-1968
3 ionic capitals, 394 University Avenue - ABITBI bldg (1930-1968)
Canadian Bank of Commerce (Yonge and Bloor N-West corner), 1899-1972.
Architect/firm: Darling & Pearson
Bank of Toronto – 1912-1966
Corinthian column & capitals (King & Bay, S. West corner)
Architect/firm: Carrere & Hastings (NY), Eustace Bird (Toronto associate)
Toronto Star Building (80 King St. West), 1929-1972 Strong Art Deco influence
Architect/firm: Chapman & Oxley
North American Life Assurance building (112 King St West), 1932-1976Architect/firm: Marani, Lawson & Morris
Temple Building (Bay & Richmond, N. West corner), 1895-1970.Independent Order of Foresters
Architect/firm: G.W Gouinlock
Bank of Montreal (King and Bay N. West corner) 1948-1972.Architect/firm: Chapman, Oxley & Facey/Marani & Morris
Artists who worked on separate panels representing each province of Canada
- Frances Loring (1887-1968)
- Jocobine Jones (1898-1976)
- Emanual Hahn
- Elizbeth Wyn Wood
- Donald Stewart
References
City of Toronto archives
www.toronto.ca/culture/the_guild.htm
A59-3 Archive
Tags: 35mm film camera, abandoned architecture, abandoned Toronto buildings, abandoned Toronto historic sites, analog photography Toronto, B&W photos, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, fine art prints, Guild Inn Scarborough ON, Guild Inn Toronto, haunted Guild Inn, historic preservation Toronto, manual photography, photography, silentbuildings, The Bluffs Scarborough ON. historical architecture Toronto, Toronto architecture, Toronto Industrial buildings, Toronto's bank buildings 1895-1960, urban exploration, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
Brush Park is a 24 block neighborhood east of Woodward Avenue. Mansions and houses are built in the Late Victorian, Empire and Mansard Roof styles. This area is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, however many buildings have been demolished due to advanced neglect, decay and structural damage. Brush Park was an area which housed Detroit’s wealthy elites until the area’s decline during the Great Depression. Restoration efforts after the 1990′s eventually led to successful renovations of several Brush Park mansions. New townhouses and apartments were also built in the surrounding area.
This area is generally quiet unless there’s a Tigers baseball game or large scale event downtown. A strange gathering of large Victorian mansions are unevenly scattered amongst empty lots. Plots of land between houses had more in common with prairie fields as giant fluffy clouds hovered over the landscape like impossible castles in the sky.
Reference
A59-2 Archive
Tags: 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned buildings, abandoned places, analog photography, black and white photography, Brush Park Detroit, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, Detroit architecture, Detroit Detroit abandoned buildings, fine art prints, historic buildings in Detroit, historic preservation in Detroit, manual photography, Michigan, photography, silentbuildings, UE, urban exploration, urban infiltration, urban ruins, Urbex, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
Somewhere on the west side is this school and it has seen better times. The steady hum of traffic permeates the open windows devoid of glass. Inside is still and timeless as the entire site gradually falls into ruin.
The Bright Center For Continuing Education was formerly known as the Willard School to honor Frances Willard (educator, temperance reformer and women’s suffragist). A dedication plaque inside the building confirms this. This facility closed in the early 2000’s.
Reference
A59-2 Archive
Tags: 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned buildings, abandoned factories, abandoned places, analog photography, black and white photography, Bright Center For Continuing Education, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, Detroit abandonded factories, Detroit abandoned buildings, Detroit architecture, Detroit Industrial buildings, fine art prints, Frances Willard, industrial ruins, manual photography, Michigan, photography, silentbuildings, UE, urban exploration, urban infiltration, urban ruins, Urbex, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton, Willard School
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Monday, August 11th, 2008
1)The N.B.C building is a seven story fortress like warehouse. This Chicago School style building consists of a concrete structure with a brick facade, and accented by applied masonry. At first the only information available was that it was a bakery before WWII.
After some research a source clarified more details about the building. Apparently the National Biscuit Co. eventually became known as Nabisco during World War I. Quotes from an article by Lu Donnelly for the Young Preservationists Association address the history, function and design of the N.B.C buildings:
(2) “The success of Nabisco’s branding and advertising caused demand to exceed supply and the company launched a building campaign to provide enough bakeries for their popular crackers. The buildings commissioned by now company president Adolphus Green were different from the common manufacturing buildings of the World War I era. Green hired an architect full-time to design factories that would have enough style and dignity to inspire loyalty from the workers and act as shining models of modernity to the communities in which they stood (Cahn, 125). He hired Chicagoan Albert G. Zimmermann (1866-1947) to design the buildings using a soft colored brownish-orange brick with cream-colored brick trim and ranging from three to eleven stories. Zimmermann’s earlier practice had consisted mostly of residences and apartment buildings until his work for Nabisco. His Nabisco designs were featured in the American Architect magazine in both 1912 and 1916.”
Another excerpt from the article indicates when the Detroit N.B.C building was built.
(3) “After the war, between 1918 and 1925 new bakeries were built in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. The new factories had a consistent look, similar reddish brick, multiple stories and stair towers increased the company’s ability to transport products to the grocer and people’s homes. (Cahn, 196)”
N.B.C is located in Detroit’s New Center area and seems to have been abandoned for some time. N.B.C’s close proximity to the railways may have given the company a competitive edge in product distribution to major areas of the American Market.
References
(1) www.emporis.com
(2)(3) Historic Review Commission of Pittsburgh. National Biscuit Company Bakery Historic Nomination, Lu Donnelly for the Young Preservationists Association, Page 3,4
74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:OOPTiGRFGC4J:www.youngpreser…
Sources
The American Architect, “The Buildings of the National Biscuit Company,” by W. F. Wilmoth, Volume 101, June 19, 1912, part 2 number 1904, pp. 270-272.
The American Architect, “Building for the National Biscuit Company,” Volume 109, March 22, 1916, part 1, number 2100.
The Builders’ Bulletin, Volume 1, #37 (Supplement) , May 12, 1917: Building Permit issued “National
Biscuit Co., Owners; Turner Construction Co., Contractors; Foundation, Penn & Lambert St., 12 Ward.”
Other relevant issues 1917-1919.
Cahn, William, Out of the Cracker Barrel: The Nabisco Story From Animal Crackers to Zu Zu’s. New
York: Simon and Schuster, 1969.
A59-2 Archive
Tags: 35mm film, abandoned architecture, abandoned buildings, abandoned factories, abandoned places, analog photography, black and white photography, Canon t70 camera, Detroit, Detroit abandonded factories, Detroit abandoned buildings, Detroit architecture, Detroit Industrial buildings, fine art prints, industrial ruins, manual photography, Michigan, modern ruins, N.B.C Detroit, Nabisco Nabisco Building Detroit, photography, silentbuildings, UE, urban exploration, urban infiltration, urban ruins, Urbex, vintage, W.Roland Hamilton
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