I suspect that the meatpackers and food distributors never needed a sign like this to say someone was entering the neighborhood. Just another 'sign of the times' that marks this gentrifying area. This is another in the series I decided to do while we are renting here, capturing changes to the neighborhood as it moves from industrial to residential/commercial. The good news is that so far, even with tear-downs, the new construction is being made to look like the low-rise brick and mortar warehouses of the past. They just house chic restaurants, boutiques, and loft condominiums/apartments when they reopen. About 4 blocks south, the construction is more steel and glass, pretty much obliterating the historical feel of the neighborhood.
Enjoyed your narrative, thanks for that. Something quite appealing about the design of the blue neon and yet it is very much new imposed on old, isn't it?
It's so good to see the essence of such neighbourhoods preserved as the seemingly inevitable gentrification spreads like spilt milk. What an interesting sign too. I like the design, but most of all I like the use of neon, another nod to keeping the ambience.
An awful lot to look at here - shows quite a bit more than you realize at first glance when that neat neon sign grabs your attention. Wonderful use of lighting.
@milaniet The sign is about a block from the entrance to the building we are in and has been there about a year, if I remember correctly. A few blocks in the other direction is the Google headquarters. I'm guessing that putting up the sign is related to Google coming in and subsequent gentrification.
Loving this series of shots Taffy. So pleased they are trying to retain a similar design to the original buildings. Towns and cities need character and it's so sad when it is destroyed in the name of progress.
Beautiful capture of the neighbourhood. The sign is strange and I like how the inside of the building in the background is all lit up. Love to hear that the old buildings are being 'restored' or at least being given the same old look on the outside.
Always good to help the tourists know where they are! :) Glad that some of the feel of the old district will be retained, while making way for the new.
@lynnz Thanks Lynn. It's nice to see continuity with new folks coming in and a lot of us staying around. Her question got me thinking about how participation has changed for me over time, and I wondered if others had similar experiences.
@Weezilou Your comment led me to photograph today from the other direction, so you could see how close we are to the city and what a renovated building (the one we are renting in) looks like. Thanks!
@taffy This has the look of the entrance into the Gaslight District in San Diego, and I recall something similar (perhaps even the same name) in St Louis. It's wonderful when people wish to preserve the quaintness and yet can put the money into making the interiors special to live in!
It's an interesting way to get a long sign into a short space! Your pictures make me want to live there too.. hope you don't fall in love with area and want to stay!
It's good that effort is being made to retain the character of the area.
This comes into its own on black - lots of interesting detail for the eye to enjoy. I do like that sign, though; it's rather compelling. Nice work on the exposure of that.
@vignouse It's too late...we are in love with the area and will be living here, but about 3 blocks south where the personality is not nearly as interesting. That stretch - at the north end of Greektown - has less interesting architecture and is being gentrified with glass, concrete, and steel. It's the block where McDonald's headquarters is going in (on the space where Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios had been) and Nobu Hotel and Restaurant. Our building is a 37 story one which means no stairs to get to our unit, and our unit is all on one floor (the 33rd). So we do love being here and just can't wait for the renters to get out of our place (July 31st they have to) so we can get on with moving in permanently!
Love your neighborhood series! Makes me miss Chicago although I do need to make a trip there to the Passport Office, which I am NOT looking forward to.
Wonderful night capture
Enjoyed reading your comment in the discussion on 'Do you shoot your 365 every day'.
This comes into its own on black - lots of interesting detail for the eye to enjoy. I do like that sign, though; it's rather compelling. Nice work on the exposure of that.