DETROIT | Exchange | 209 FT | 16 FLOORS

[pianowizard]

I was in Detroit this morning. From this perspective on Woodward Ave, the building looked completed:

[deja vu]

The seventh floor will reportedly be lifted into place tomorrow (11/14) at 4:30 pm, if anyone around there wants to watch -




Source: LinkedIn | George Kacan

[deja vu]

It's definitely picked up pace - it's another floor closer to the ground -


Source: LinkedIn | Raffi Elchemass

[BVictor1]

12.08.22

[animatedmartian]

January 7th, 2023.



https://twitter.com/edwardwoodall6/s...39782438699008

[homebucket]

Certainly an interesting construction method. Unfortunately, it's starting to appear like the construction method, is cooler than the completed project itself.

[WibblyWobbly]

God can we please design an interesting facade for once

[subterranean]

This is an affordable housing project, not sure what people were expecting, especially considering the renderings clearly showed how ugly this building would be.

[animatedmartian]

It's filler. It's replacing an empty parking lot and adding some much needed housing in the downtown core. With that context, it's a decent project.

That said, I'm not sure this particular construction method would even allow for something fancier since the floors are pre-fabricated in a factory somewhere. Not only that, but the goals of this construction method are to save costs (particularly with labor) so anything less plain would run counter to the goals of the project.

[subterranean]

Yeah, I think the thing that makes it so sterile is that it’s completely encapsulated, likely out of necessity. They’ve tried to hide the fact that it’s all curtain wall with no depth normally achieved through either terraces, fenestration, and/or outdoor spaces like balconies. But like you said, it’s absolutely better than what was there.

[pianowizard]

Not pretty, but fairly unique. It will be one of the most recognizable buildings in Detroit.

[The North One]

I don't think it's ugly at all. The glossiness of the white facade looks pretty cool.

Terraces would have actually been ugly. Terraces never belong on a high-rise/skyscraper, it always looks hideous. Really hope Detroit never gets infected with tons of terrace condo/apartment towers like other cities.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

It's filler. It's replacing an empty parking lot and adding some much needed housing in the downtown core. With that context, it's a decent project.

That said, I'm not sure this particular construction method would even allow for something fancier since the floors are pre-fabricated in a factory somewhere. Not only that, but the goals of this construction method are to save costs (particularly with labor) so anything less plain would run counter to the goals of the project.

It's possible for prefab to have details on it. There are plenty examples. Most modern tower facades are essentially prefab, sections are made elsewhere and then placed on site.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by subterranean

This is an affordable housing project, not sure what people were expecting, especially considering the renderings clearly showed how ugly this building would be.

Also this isn't true. Only a portion is set aside as affordable. Rest is market rate. With two floors of condos at the top. Some of the condos have already sold for well over a million.

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by The North One

Also this isn't true. Only a portion is set aside as affordable. Rest is market rate. With two floors of condos at the top. Some of the condos have already sold for well over a million.

But the 20% affordable units had to be subsidized somehow. As for the looks, that boils down to taste, and my opinion is no more important than yours. Beyond how boring it looks to me, the inability for residents to actually go outside from their unit is a major shortcoming in my opinion.

[pianowizard]

From this morning:

[subterranean]

Will be the third tallest building completed in Detroit since 1993, behind Huntington and the old Greektown Casino. Thanks for the photo, looking a little better now that’s it’s almost done.

[deja vu]

I don't mind it at all. It just needs some more friends around it. I definitely agree it's better than a parking lot. And if I understand it right, this construction method has little effect on whether or-not there can be balconies, non-rectilinear footprints, façade variation, etc. True, a rectangular plan is usually most efficient, and probably played a factor with the available budget, but no differently than with a building of more conventional construction methods.

The main point of this construction was a proof-of-concept that you can construct floorplates at ground level with very little time spent on scaffolding, formwork, fall protection, etc., and erect the overall building in a shorter timespan. The first lift was in March 2022. The final lift - last weekend. Yes, a repetitive pattern helps, but I don't think it would invalidate the concept, to try it with more variety.

Here are a few more photos from recent days, before, during, and after the 3rd floor plate lift, which is the final lift floor. Everything from here-on-out will be framed-in from the ground -






Source: LinkedIn | Barton Malow

[pianowizard]

Originally Posted by subterranean

Will be the third tallest building completed in Detroit since 1993, behind Huntington and the old Greektown Casino. Thanks for the photo, looking a little better now that’s it’s almost done.

One Campus Martius is taller, at 232 ft. The Exchange does look taller, because it is skinnier.

[animatedmartian]

Not visible in this photo, but the ground floor is the only one incomplete right now. Taken 3-23 by me.