In the News!

Pointers join team to save architectural assets

November 11, 2004

BY ALEX SUCZEK
GROSSE POINTE NEWS

As neighborhoods in and around Detroit have aged, too many of the buildings that once lent dignity and beauty to our communities and acquired symbolic importance as part of our history have disappeared without a trace. We have had our share of disappearances in Grosse Pointe.

A few survive. Some have been saved by adaptive reuse. They were remodeled with contemporary materials and given a new, economically viable role. Warehouses became lofts. Homes in changing neighborhoods were remodeled into storefronts to become commercial property.

A lucky few (some exceptionally distinguished residences, Orchestra Hall and the Fox Theater) have been restored to their original states and made even better than ever. A movie theater became an opera house. Orchestra Hall has been expanded into Detroit's version of Lincoln Center.

But most have simply been discarded, abandoned and ultimately destroyed.

Some called it progress as new, modern structures eventually filled the empty space or as the vacated lots were used for parking. Sadly, we lost some gracious and aesthetically pleasing architecture and with it, much evidence of the rich history of the growth and development of our communities. Economic realities seem to make the process inevitable.

While efforts to save worthwhile old buildings have struggled against major odds, much architecture of aesthetic, historic and even functional value has fallen to the wrecker's ball. And while some of the most valuable scraps such as chandeliers, decorative stonework and stained glass windows have been rescued or stolen for resale and reuse elsewhere, most of it was reduced to rubble and sent to landfills.

Yet in cities with similar experiences across the country, the movement for preservation and restoration has been gaining momentum. There is increasing recognition of the value of bringing old structures back to their original character or for creative, adaptive reuse.

Beyond that, there is also an increasing awareness of the value of salvaging the reusable materials in the buildings that have to be destroyed. many of these materials such as period millwork and trim, ornate hardware, artistic ceramics and marble facings cannot be manufactured today at a practical price. Moreover, they are the elements of architecture that testify to a building's historic identity and recall its importance.

These materials can be of immeasurable value in the restoration of other old buildings and even in the construction of new ones.

Recognizing an unexploited opportunity to contribute to neighborhood revitalization and stimulate the saving of traditional architectural values, Grosse Pointer Carolyn Mosher called on a group of Grosse Pointe and Detroit contacts to help her put together an organization they call Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit.

Using a process called deconstruction, ASWD specializes in the reverse of building construction. Its trained craftsmen take buildings apart just as they were put together. With care, they can save doors, floor boards, windows, hardware, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, radiators, moldings, cabinets and. even dimensional lumber. The list is endless and the resulting supply of materials is in great demand among builders, contractors, homeowners, building maintenance trades and artists.

The salvaged materials are most valuable, of course, to those who are restoring a similar building, but they can also be used in new construction. In some areas where deconstruction has been practiced for an extended time, Habitat for Humanity is one of ASWD’s customers.

Grosse Pointers with vision and an appreciation of the intangible values of period structures were eager to endorse the project. Board member Barbara Homan is founder of the Arts and Cultural Council of Grosse Pointe. Ric Geyer is a civic-minded principal in an accounting and consulting firm. Eleanor Marsh is a founding board member of The Greening of Detroit. Jan Homan is a freelance marketing and communications consultant.

The list goes on and includes architects, community development executives and artists. They all share a recognition that it is time we followed the example of many other cities in saving these important elements of our heritage and taking advantage of the genuine economic benefits that well-managed deconstruction can provide. A glowing example of what can be accomplished is the restored home of sculptor Julius Melcher. Built 108 years ago on Detroit’s east side, near Indian Village, the house was designed by the firm responsible for the Belle Isle Casino and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

After falling into disrepair, it was acquired by Doug MacIntosh, who has restored it. Most special about this restoration is that he has been able to acquire salvaged materials that suit the period and style of the house to make his restoration as authentic as possible. The house has become a stimulus for the further upgrading of the entire neighborhood.

In the Grosse Pointes, there are probably few houses that are candidates far restoration. Given the property values and zoning, houses are not allowed to fall into disrepair. On the other hand, quite a few have been and continue to be remodeled to adapt to contemporary lifestyles.

However, many grand homes have been destroyed. Long-term residents will recall that in the past half century, a good number of gracious mansions have been taken down for economic and lifestyle reasons. While some valuable architectural and decor elements were sold off, the structures were largely demolished. It seems likely that still more will go, but now it can be in a way that perpetuates their memories and usefulness while making an economic contribution.

By deconstructing buildings, an operation like ASWD can serve several purposes. Most obvious is to make the materials available for restoring or remodeling other buildings of similar vintage. Houses built more than 60 years ago are prime examples. They were constructed with quality materials that lend themselves to careful salvage.

In addition, the actual work of deconstruction provides an opportunity to train workers in the building trades, creating jobs and adding to the skilled work force. And while this increases the cost of demolition, it gives rise to an income stream from the sale of the materials which then do not end up in landfills.

It also makes deconstruction more cost effective and desirable than demolition. Just knocking down buildings is much more capital intensive because of the need for lots of heavy equipment.

In the past, a few enterprising Pointers were ahead of their time. One salvaged the hand-crafted, classic revival pillars, coffers and dentils from his 150-year-old family home in Detroit. It was in an area to be cleared and redeveloped. For more than a decade in storage, the trim reappeared in a beautiful, new classic revival home on a secluded lane in Grosse Pointe.

Its dining room sports a gas chandelier (now converted to electricity) from a demolished Lakeshore mansion. The house stands today as an architectural gem with an impressive history. Stone sculptures and décor from other mansions can be seen gracing front steps and gardens throughout our communities.

ASWD now makes it possible to extend these individual efforts to a much broader and productive level. It remains for property owners, contractors and community leaders to take advantage of this enlightened approach. They can take satisfaction in the knowledge that ASWD is a nonprofit organization which will dedicate any surplus funds to other restoration efforts.

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