Detroit Now & Then: Revival
before
after

Grand Army of the Republic Building

Revival, like decay, comes in many forms. Despite bankruptcy and a declining population, some parts of Detroit are bouncing back. It's a slow process, with false starts and setbacks, but there is hope that over time the city will reclaim some of its former glory.

The high vacancy rate in buildings of all types, including houses, industrial plants, schools, and even skyscrapers have created opportunities for investors to renovate and reopen historic buildings at a fraction of the cost in other cities. The Grand Army of the Republic building dates back to 1899, built by members of a fraternal organization of veterans of the Civil War. Vacant since 1982, the GAR building was sold to developers in 2011 for $220,000, and is being renovated into offices and retail.

You can read more about the project here.

Original photo: January, 2010
Current photo: October, 2013