Thursday, February 23, 2012

Southfield, Michigan

I was up at the Troy office today and on the way home, I decided to stop by Southfield as I've been meaning to do that for a while.  I'm not a huge fan of modern buildings but Southfield as some pretty neat ones.

Southfield is a suburb that is about 30 miles or so northwest of Detroit.  It was founded in the early 1800's by settlers from nearby Royal Oak and Birmingham.  It was first organized as Ossewa Township in 1830 and 17 days later the name was changed to Southfield.  It's name was because it was in the Southfields of Bloomfield Township.  It is now a center of commerce with several large firms operating headquarters there.
 This building probably represents why I don't like modern architecture.  It is a soul-less building of glass, steel and concrete.  Not much to discern it from the other buildings.
 Now this building represents reasons why you can like Modern Architecture.  It is part of the Southfield Town Center which was built from 1975 to 1989.  It was originally called the Prudential Town Center.  This building is known as the 2000 Town Center Building (pretty original huh?) and is 28 stories tall.  It houses the Macedonia consulate.  Construction was finished in 1986.
 A shot of the two of the buildings that are relatively next to each other.   Most of these buildings are in the same relative area (except I couldn't get a picture of all of them).
 The 3000 Town Center Building.  This was the first building constructed and was built in 1975.  It is 32 stories tall and is the second tallest building in Michigan outside of Detroit.  I kind of like the looks of this one.
 Another angle of the 2000 building.
 Housing the Fifth Third Bank is the 1000 Town Center Building.   Construction on this one was completed in 1989 and it stands at 28 stories.  The smaller building in front of it is a Westin Hotel and is the 1500 Town Center Building.
 Three of the buildings in the same shot.
 Looking towards the 1000 building.
 Looking up at the 1000 building.
 Another angle of the 2000 building.
 Looking up at the 3000 building.  I love the crossed pattern going up the side. 
 And another angle of that building.
 This is the 4000 Town Center Building and is 20 stories tall.  It was completed in 1979.
 Another angle of the 2000 building.  I wish the glass were a little more reflective though because that would make a neat effect.
 I kind of liked the effect here.
 And another side of the 3000 building.
And looking up at the 4000 building again.

I think I'm gonna have to spend a little more time here and get some other angles and stuff.  If more modern buildings looked like these, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with modern buildings.

1 comment:

t said...

You're right, those are much better than most newer buildings.