Restoration planned for historic facade of former Kline's building in downtown Ann Arbor
The owner of the former Kline’s Department Store in downtown Ann Arbor wants to construct a new look for the historic exterior of the building.
But that new look actually turns to the past for inspiration: Photos of the original façade of the building at 306 S. Main St. before Kline’s installed porcelain panels over it.
Those panels were removed after the store closed in 1994. Yet they also played a role in damage to the building’s original cornice. And that’s what building owner Ed Shaffran seeks to restore.
“The building is beautiful except for that little façade area,” Shaffran said.
Shaffran applied to the city’s Historic District Commission, which has finalized approvals for him to start the work.
This historic photo shows the detail at the top of the building's front facade that owner Ed Shaffran hopes to restore.
From Ed Shaffran
But it’s time to complete the project, Shaffran said.
Today, the front of the building near the edge of the roof looks like a flat brick panel. Right below that is an ornate “roping” pattern, just above the red brick that makes up the bulk of the façade.
Side-view of the cornice that will be added to 306 S. Main.
Shaffran hopes to recreate that, with the assistance of Detroit Cornice and Slate, which would install “an overhang almost three feet out from the flat brick.”
This photo of downtown Ann Arbor from 1971 shows the porcelain panels that used to cover the front of the building.
AnnArbor.com archives
Those photos also show what Shaffran called a “picket fence” along the top of the roofline of the building. That aspect of the structure won’t be recreated, according to the plans.
Meanwhile, the metal band with the roping pattern also will be repaired.
Shaffran estimates the cost of the work at more than $50,000.
“We’ve been putting money aside and we felt like the time was right to get it done,” he said.
He hopes to be on the agenda in October and have the work completed by the holidays.
The property's assessed value is $1.3 million, giving it an estimated market value of about $2.6 million.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
townie
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.
This is great news and I hope it happens without a hitch. I'm a little skeptical at the $50,000 figure--that seems low to me. On a related note, Dennis Dahlmann should be thanked for doing the same thing to the Glazier Building. A gorgeous project.
UgottaBkidding
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
Why did the building cover up the facade with those porcelain panels in the first place??
LiberalNIMBY
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Excellent project! I hope it inspires further restoration of facades (a couple blocks north and across the street -- ahem).
Killroy
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
Finally! can't wait to see the restored cornice!
Paula Gardner
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
This story has been updated to reflect that the HDC has approved all of the work.
bugjuice
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
The "intricate stuff" was more prevalent in decades past because the costs of skilled labor and raw materials were relatively inexpensive and easier to obtain.
Phil Dokas
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
The URL in my previous comment incorrectly added the ) to it. The real URL is http://www.flickr.com/photos/dokas/2394246703/
bugjuice
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
The HDC doesn't "initiate" anything. Stop perpetuating local urban myths.
Phil Dokas
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
Hear hear! Looks great, and compared to the current cornice (photo available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dokas/2394246703/) this will be a great restoration. And I'd like to echo the others that the cynical sarcasm isn't amusing or useful.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
At last, some historical work that makes sense and was initiated by the owner and not the HDC. The owner deserves a big thanks and I hope a speedy approval process.
David Cahill
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
This is a great idea from a conscientious property owner. I expect it to be approved.
Steve Burling
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 8:21 a.m.
+1 for bugjuice's comment.
hometowngirl
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.
Ed Shaffran has completed many great projects in the downtown area. I'm sure this will be another beautiful addition to the landscape of our city, and I hope it is approved.
bugjuice
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.
Ya know, this whole "Well, it's Ann Arbor and the city hates everything" sarcastic criticism with no basis in fact gets boring and tiresome after the first couple of hundred times. Give it a rest. Mr Shaffran knows what he's doing. Nobody is going to give him. a hard time.
oldrustynail
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 7:36 a.m.
I think it will enrich the character of downtown.
ez12c
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 7:04 a.m.
Nice idea but it's Ann Arbor. Hopefully the project will be denied like the doggie day care. We should propose that no improvements be made in any buildings at any time, ever.
thomas h blaske
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 : 6:56 a.m.
This will add class & character. Nice idea.