T. J .Collins designed the Marquis Building on Beverley Street with a corner turret, bay windows, and gable-roofed bays. Together these give this commercial building a commanding presence at the intersection that it rests upon. The T. J .Collins designed Switzer Building with triple arches on the 2nd floor based on larger Venetian palazzos with a diamond pattern of terra
History photos enliven an otherwise blank wall. The Bijou is one of several theaters providing for the entertainment needs of the city and region. Water feature through the downtown steps from where the Farmers Market is held each week. Some of the public art commissioned, including a descriptive plaque with price tag. Water feature in Market Square, steps from shops,
We only had a short time to visit so focused our walking and looking in the area around Van Andel Arena. This provided a surprisingly lively subject, even if it was a little top heavy with beer-related establishments. Grand Rapids Brewing Company HopCat J. Gardella’s Tavern Tavern on the Green Liked the touch of sign painting here. Grand Woods Mural
The BOB – which stands for “Big Old Building” – is a go to social and entertainment venue in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have creatively repurposed the space with dining, indoor and outdoor entertainment, and the new 20 Monroe Live space for up to 2580 people. The outdoor beer garden is more open than others we’ve seen and feels
This open-air canopy provides a covered space for markets and community events to occur. Loved to see a playful public art element near the market. The murals were simple but effective filling the wall and bringing “a little bit of happy” to those who pass by. Loved this cinder block and beam bench. What a clever idea to provide seating
The Whiting Forest and their canopy walk are a relatively new addition to the much loved Dow Gardens. So popular, in fact, that my two boys insisted going not once or twice in a single week while visiting – but three separate times. I was lucky they brought me along for the third and final visit. Here is what we
In 2019, I sought to reclaim a plot of land beside our house, and make it friendly for pollinators and birds. A few store bought plants were placed. The remaining sections were planted with a mixture of wildflower seed and bird seed. In the weeks that followed the garden filled in – both in surprising and unexpected ways. May 29
The SOMA Bench is an ingenious way to make a piece of useful furniture out of a single shipping pallet, a 2×6 and some scrap lumber we had on hand. Community leaders went through an iterative design process where they weighed a variety of options, before inventing this unique seating configuration.
Old Town Historic District Colonial Garden The Gear Garden & Foundry Park Foundry Park sits on the site of the Eyster Weiser Co. foundary, established in 1904, whose buildings flanked Philadelphia Street. The main foundry was destroyed by fire in 1975. Brick structure that held other foundry functions are still on site, overlooking the park. When the park was built
The tasting room itself was handsomely appointed. People tended to gravitate more towards the bar and the high-top tables near it. Starting outside the entrance and moving inside, it was apparent in the time that it has been open the brewery has become very tightly knit with the York, PA community. The Charity benefit card especially told the story of