I miss the gritty history of Detroit. It’s not often that 21st and 19th century architecture can be found to co-mingle on the same block, so in some ways it was an adjustment to move to Dallas and be surrounded by little more than 100 years of history. That being said there is something about the energy and momentum of this city; from my desk window I see no less than 4 tower cranes and can hear the noises of construction echoing through the highrise canyons. Things are happening here. There is not talk of building demo for the sake of demo or a new empty lot but real growth and progress, and that to me is exciting.
The Praetorian Building is coming down brick by brick and several more decrepit storefronts on Elm & Commerce are either being razed or rehabbed. I took this picture from Stone Street Alley near Elm St to document the progress so far. *
* Extra credit for anyone that knows what building is in the top left of the frame…
