What's up in Foxtown: new building, old theatre put trades to work
Date Posted: December 14 2018
CONSTRUCTION WORK along Woodward Avenue in Detroit has employed thousands of tradespeople over the past several years, including (above) the new construction of the eight-story Little Caesars Pizza Headquarters building above at left, and improvements to the facade of the historic Fox Theatre building, at right. For much of this year, work on the installation of the unique exterior pizza-shaped glass has been halted, due to cracking issues that have vexed the building’s designers. Little Caesars, whose current headquarters is in the Fox Theatre, was originally slated to move into the $150 million new building last summer. The news is better at the Fox Theatre, which is connected by a skywalk over Columbia street. Masonry contractor Grunwell Cashero and BAC Local 2 masons “are doing everything we can in the cold” to rehabilitate the facade of the historic 1928 theatre, said masons Ryan Harding and Sean Raycraft, at right. Work has proceeded on the Fox through the warmer months, including repointing mortar joints, replacing the sealant at window perimeters, cleaning the façade and completing a terra cotta survey for replacement units. Work has dwindled as winter approaches. The Fox Theatre’s exterior is primarily comprised of terra cotta.