Ductwork. Electrical boxes. Insulation. Metal siding. Porcelain door knobs. These are some of the areas of consideration on the El Moore this week. This grand old building withstood a 100-year rainstorm beautifully. Two days later she stands proudly, basking in the sun of another cool summer day. Let’s start with the rooftop cabins. The siding […]
Construction Update: Week of August 11, 2014 Read More »
Take a look at this picture of the El Moore taken in 2002. If you look closely, you’ll notice the shadow of iron railings on the 2nd and 4th floor balconies. We’re not sure when the 3rd floor railings went missing, but we do know what happened to those 2nd and 4th floor pieces. In the early
Balcony Railings … Lost and Found Read More »
One of the more fascinating aspects of resurrecting an historic old building such as the El Moore is what you can learn about the character and personality of the building in the process. Sometimes it seems like the building opens itself up and invites us in, sharing all sorts of interesting tidbits and helping us to
Has St. Benedict been protecting the El Moore? Read More »
When you work with a commitment to reusing material, it can be just as much about preserving history as it is about keeping materials out of our landfills. Every once in a while you get the amazing reward of being able to do both and you’re reminded why this work is so important for our
Sandstone Facade UPDATE (Part Three) Read More »
Valued for it ability to be easily carved (worked) into intricate designs, sandstone is also a relatively soft stone that erodes easily, especially with the extreme freeze/thaw cycles that Michigan experiences. As part of our restoration efforts at the El Moore we’ve been evaluating the condition of its 116 year old face. Having sat vacant
Sandstone Facade (Part Two) Read More »
As with many streets in towns and cities across the country, Alexandrine Street, where the El Moore is located, takes its name from a prominent citizen of the city’s past. Alexandrine Macomb Sheldon was born in Detroit in 1829, a descendant of the Macomb family, one of the founding families and land owners of
Who Was Alexandrine? Read More »
Arguably one of the most unique features of the El Moore is its hand-cut red sandstone facade. It’s a material that was used in other AC Varney-designed buildings of its era; the sandstone is often inserted above a main entrance or around a protruding bay window where it could be carved with intricate details
Sandstone Facade (Part One) Read More »
Let’s for a moment dive into the naming of the El Moore. As Keith Owens pointed out in an earlier post, the Spanish word “el” in El Moore is apparently referring to the building’s Spanish Architecture. By the way, I am entering a delicate area of naming the El Moore’s architectural style. Some would call it Romanesque, others would say Spanish Medieval or Late Gothic Revival. This could
What’s in the Name “El Moore”? Read More »
