Special offer

Ice House Detroit -- Our Sunday Sightseeing Tour

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog with some WACKY houses and architectural wonders.

This Sunday, let's go to Detroit to see another house . . . this one is encased in ice! 

The artists photographer Gregory Holm (who grew up in the area) and architecht Matthew Radune wanted to bring attention to the plight of Detroit's housing market -- which has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation.  Their art piece is an 'installation' work which speaks to the 'frozen' state of the real estate market.

Currently, there are approximately 20,000 abandoned properties in Detorit

"During my time here I have explored the surrounding neighborhood extensively and I would estimate that nearly 1 in every 4 homes is either in a state of disrepair or completely abandoned. And although many have chosen to view these conditions with apathy, my point of view is one of optimism for the future driven by a sense of nostalgia for this neighborhood's past beauty. Amidst the soaring oaks that line these spacious blocks remains a modern and organic grid filled with possibilities that perhaps the fresh eyes of a new generation will bring to fruition. The Ice House project seeks to demonstrate that in much the same way -- as building materials are reclaimed from the many abandoned houses in Detroit, so to can the affected neighborhoods themselves be repurposed through the creativity, spirit, and sense of community clearly demonstrated by the residents themselves." -- Gregory Holm

To view more pictures, check out: Ice House Detroit

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Carla, this is an interesting way of expressing a point of view. I agree with your artist/architects that recycling what is restoreable and useable is optimal.

Feb 07, 2010 03:02 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Ice house?----I hate it when I have to wear crampons and use an ice axe to inspect a house:)  The glisading is fun though!

Feb 07, 2010 04:38 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Gee, Carla, this looks like what Mother Nature has done to my house over the weekend! 

Feb 07, 2010 04:58 PM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Wow Carla, I can't imagine things being that bleak.  My heart goes out to the folks in Detroit.  I hope that economy can change.  The house looks cool though.

Feb 07, 2010 05:57 PM
Diane Williams
Pell City, AL

The ice house picture is awesome to look at but how sad it is to know the area is hurting so much.

I pray that things will look up for the area and our country. 

Feb 07, 2010 10:57 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I can see beauty in the "art" project, but feel such sadness for areas hit so hard by this economy.

Feb 07, 2010 11:43 PM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Carla,

Interesting picture and a great way to get your point across. They must have been hosing this down for days.

Feb 08, 2010 12:24 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Carla, sad to see what is happening in Detroit.  I agree to recycle what you can in these homes.

Feb 08, 2010 01:07 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I saw that on the local news here the other day!

Such good publicity for an artist with a good cause.

Feb 08, 2010 03:02 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Carla...Very interesting pictures, but the root cause is very sad.

Cosmic Cow

Feb 08, 2010 03:33 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Suzi . . . it's a good idea to recylce the wood and the emphasis on the bleak market there.

Feb 08, 2010 03:35 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

LOL @ Charles!!

Hi Patricia -- when I posted, I was going to mention the east coast storms too.  I'm sure there's a lot that look frozen solid.

Hey Dan . . . it is sad what's happened to the auto industry and economy there.  I, too, hope it can come back.  TIME magazine is doing a year-long study.  Reporters bought a house there, and are documenting.

Hi Diane -- it truly is sad.  My prayers/thoughts don't do the situation justice.

Hey Tammy . . . I agree with your words totally!

Hi Terry -- I think they were out with the hose for days, you're right!

Hey Rebecca . . . there was another slideshow but I wasn't able to embed it.  That was really sad.  Once glorious theaters, now ... parking lots.  You could see the forgotten beauty of that city.

Hi Craig -- One of the artists grew up there.  I'm sure his memories are frozen now, too.

Hey Carra -- yes, the root cause.  Very sad, indeed.

Feb 08, 2010 03:43 AM