J. L. Hudson Department Store and Addition
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The J.L. Hudson Department Store and Addition, also known as the Hudson's Building, is a now-demolished building in Detroit, Michigan, which occupied the address of 1206 Woodward Avenue. It was constructed in 1923, with additions throughout the years, before being "completed" in 1946, and named after the company's founder, Joseph Lowthian Hudson. The building was destroyed in a controlled demolition on October 24, 1998, with many people in Hart Plaza (Detroit) and Dieppe Gardens (Windsor, Ontario) watching from safe distances.
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[edit] Facts about the building
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While the building stood, it was at a height of 33 stories, 29 above-ground, and 4 basement floors, It had a floor area of 670,560 m². The high-rise was used for retail and office space, and included a restaurant and was built in the Chicago School architectural style, incorporating a great deal of brick into its materials.
THe J.L. Hudson Department Store and Addition was designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls, and is Hudson's tallest building ever imploded, as well as the largest structural steel building the company ever imploded. It also holds yet another title for the company: at 2,200,000 square feet (204,000 m²), it is Hudson's largest single building ever imploded.
The demolition of this building accidentally damaged the elevated Detroit People Mover mass transit rail line in downtown Detroit.
[edit] Records
- Upon its completion, Hudson Company Department Tower was the tallest department store the company owned, and was never surpassed until it was demolished.
- Hudson's was also the second largest department store building in the United States only to be surpassed by Macy's in New York City.
- The entire complex consisted of 33 floors: 2 mechanical basement levels, 2 retail basements, 23 above-ground retail floors, and a 6 story storage/mechanical penthouse.
- The building was demolished at exactly 5:47 pm, October 24, 1998. 20,000 people watched as the building was imploded which turned the building into a 60-foot (18 m) tall pile of debris.
- It was the tallest building to ever be imploded.
- The building measured 439 feet (134 m) tall from its second basement to the top of the penthouse tower. It was also topped by 110 feet (34 m) high flagpole.
- The structure was the tallest department store/retail building ever constructed.
[edit] Restoration Efforts
Many restoration efforts were proposed prior to demolition. Demolition of this building was controversial as many in the area had great emotional attachments to the building and chain.
