Lafayette Building, Detroit MI

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Lafayette Building in December 2008
Detroit, MI
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss

The Lafayette Building in Downtown Detroit was built in 1923 and was once the home to the Michigan Supreme Court and the state's Tax Tribunal. The historic structure was deemed to be a public safety hazard and unanimously voted to be torn down by the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. The 14-story structure designed by architect C. Howard Crane had sat vacant for over a decade prior to this vote.

Lafayette Building in October 2009
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss

The City of Detroit has now begun demolition of this landmark structure. It's neighbor, the Commerce Building, had been demolished in 2008. Compare the top floors in the picture taken of the Lafayette Building last December (top left) to the one from October 2009 (right).

Lafayette demo
Detroit, MI
Photos courtesy Richard Weiss

Soon there will be no large building dominating the background of the Tubby's Submarine Sandwich guy. The building had been empty for years and form the looks of it the interior had been "remuddled" in the 60's or 70's. This may mean another weed choked lot for Detroit is on the way.

Check out the structure with demolition well underway. Who knows what could have been made of this building if preservation and rehabilitation resources had instead been used.

Below are more photos of the Lafayette Building with its familiar V-shape from last December.

Many thanks to Richard Weiss for photos and info. 11-09

Lafayette Building in December 2008 Detroit, MI Photos courtesy Richard Weiss	Lafayette Building in December 2008 Detroit, MI Photos courtesy Richard Weiss	Lafayette Building in December 2008 Detroit, MI Photos courtesy Richard Weiss

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