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bif

(24,185 posts)
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:26 PM Dec 5

So they're considering tearing down the Renaissance Center, eh?

It never should have been built in the first place. I worked there for 15 years and absolutely hated it.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Srkdqltr

(7,734 posts)
1. Not all of it. Just some buildings.
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:28 PM
Dec 5

I was there once. It was all cement walls. Very dreary.

LisaM

(28,729 posts)
11. I wish they wouldn't.
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 10:05 PM
Dec 5

I saw a mockup with a couple of those ugly, ugly spheres and I hope to God that was a joke.

louis-t

(23,767 posts)
2. I remember flying over it in my Dad's plane.
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:35 PM
Dec 5

It was a Piper Cherokee. It was during the construction. I looked down and remarked that they had finished the second tower. A second later, the plane hit an air pocket and dropped about 20 feet. We banged out heads on the roof of the plane and nervously laughed. The wind does strange things around circular buildings. I sure miss that guy.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,811 posts)
8. When I worked at the RenCen, sometimes we could watch/hear/feel airplanes
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 04:05 PM
Dec 5

The Air Force would buzz the place while practicing for flyovers at the ballpark. They'd fly way over Onario, then across the river, past the RenCen and over the stadium. It takes a lot of practice to get the timing just right, so the flyover is a few seconds after the words "...and the home of the brave.". Various years, there were F16s, F18s, A10s.
Then there was the airplanes practicing for the races along the river, flying between pylons. I think Red Bull sponsored the races.

No Piper aircraft, that I noticed.

brush

(57,974 posts)
3. Tear it down? How old is it? Seems like a waste to tear it down.
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:40 PM
Dec 5

What's the problem with it? Wasn't is supposed to sort of like Rockefeller Center in NYC...still going strong and much older.

BTW, I attended an NABJ conference years ago in Detroit at the Book Cadillac Hotel. Is it still there?

bif

(24,185 posts)
4. The Renaissance Center is maybe 40 years old
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:48 PM
Dec 5

The Book Cadillac was completely restored to its former elegance about ten years ago. It's still a hotel but I think there are apartments as well. Beautiful building.

JoseBalow

(5,566 posts)
5. At the time it was built, it was the world's tallest hotel.
Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:54 PM
Dec 5

I have dined at the revolving restaurant at the top several times. Not sure if that's still there, but it was a pretty nice experience, a great view.

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