Best of Detroit 2007

Just turn the page. Then read up and, if you’re so moved, check out the winners in person. That’s what our writers and photographers did, and we appreciate their creative input. Thanks to freelance writers Nancy Nall Derringer, Eric Edelstein, Susan R. Pollack, and Alexa Stanard, who assisted the entire Hour Detroit editorial staff in producing this special feature

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Best Museum: DIA

Photograph by Roy ritchie

Art

Best Museum: Detroit Institute of Arts

From ancient Egyptian art to modern masters such as Helen Frankenthaler, the 60,000-plus works housed in the beautiful Italian Renaissance building on Woodward give Detroiters plenty to be proud of. And, of course, there’s Rivera’s Detroit Industry murals, extensive Dutch and African art collections, vast Italian sculptures, and an impressive American art section. But the DIA isn’t resting on its laurels. An expansive renovation project, designed by Michael Graves, has been under way since 2001, and the grand reopening is scheduled for this November. The downside is that the DIA is closed all summer and most of the fall. But after Thanksgiving, look for about 57,000 square feet of additional space, more visitor amenities, new facades on the north and south wings, improved navigation for art lovers, a greatly expanded south wing, a loggia for the Detroit Film Theatre, a new Education Center, a larger museum shop, and other improvements. Galleries will also include explanatory labeling about the art. Pieces will also be arranged thematically or chronologically to help visitors more fully appreciate the experience. dia.org; 313-833-4005.

Art Gallery: CPop Gallery (Detroit; cpop.com; 313-833-9901)  •  Place to Buy Original Art: Hermitage Gallery (Rochester; hermitagegallery.com; 248-656-8559)  •  Public Art: The Spirit of Detroit statue (Downtown Detroit)  •  Art Fair: Ann Arbor Art Fair (artfair.org; a2state.com; michiganguild.org; a2southu.com)

Metropolis

Architecturally Significant Building (tie): Fisher Building & Guardian Building

These Deco darlings add unmistakable panache to Detroit’s architectural identity. And with such architects as Albert Kahn (Fisher) and Wirt Rowland (Guardian), beautiful edifices were bound to result. Built in 1929, the tangerine-colored Guardian on Griswold opened as the Union Trust Co. and was the crowning glory in Detroit’s once-thriving Financial District. If you’ve never ventured inside the lobby, take a pair of sunglasses: The vibrant Pewabic and Rookwood tiles will dazzle the eye. As you head north to the New Center area, you’ll find the Fisher and its golden tower equally arresting. The building was supposed to have three towers, not one, but the Depression put the kibosh on that. No matter. What stands at West Grand Boulevard and Second is a majestic edifice. The barrel-vaulted grand arcade on the first floor is an opulent salute to Art Deco splendor. The Fisher is also home to the Fisher Theatre, three radio stations, and several retailers and restaurants.

Best Place to Live in Downtown Detroit: Riverfront

A gated community set on 24 riverside acres next door to Joe Louis Arena, Riverfront offers both condominiums and apartments, all with water views. The 29-floor Tower 300 contains condominiums that range in size from 553 to 2,500 square feet and up to three bedrooms. Prices range from $134,000 to $600,000. Rates for apartments, which are in the other two towers, begin at $765 a month. Residents may rent one of the 77 boat slips on the Detroit River. Other amenities include tennis courts, jogging track, health club, and a sand volleyball court. riverfrontdetroit.com.

Best New Residential Development: Westin Book-Cadillac

News of the redevelopment of the elegant Book-Cadillac made waves last year, and, since then, sales of the 66 condominiums planned for the upper (25th through 31st) floors have been brisk. Residents living atop the 450-room Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel, which will fill the bulk of the 1924 structure on Washington Boulevard, will have access to the pool, restaurants, housekeeping, room service, and workout facilities. The condos will offer a variety of views from the river to Comerica Park. Unit prices begin at about $300,000 and exceed $1 million. Cleveland-based John Ferchill is the developer of the downtown project. Esquire Properties is managing sales and marketing. westinbookcadillacresidences.com; 313-580-2200.

Best Community Parks: Birmingham

For a city its size, Birmingham is rich in open public spaces, with 22 parks in all. The latest improvement in the suburb’s ongoing parks master plan is Booth Park, on North Old Woodward. The 3.9-acre Booth Park, donated to the city by the Booth Family (of Cranbrook fame), was updated with public and private funds. It will serve as a gateway to the Rouge River trail. Plans are in the works for major changes at Shain Park in the center of the downtown retail district.

Music

Best Used Vinyl/CD Store: Record Time

Many music lovers cherish album art and liner notes, not to mention the thrill of digging through bins for unusual LPs and CDs. Real treasures are at Record Time’s locations in Roseville and Ferndale. Trivia: Kid Rock and Eminem have been among the customers. recordtime.com; 586-775-1550 (Roseville) and 248-336-TIME (Ferndale).

Best Jukebox: Gusoline Alley (248-545-2235)  •  Concert Venue: DTE Energy Music Theatre (Clarkston; palacenet.com; 248-377-0100)  •  Established Local Band: White Stripes  •  Next big Local Band (tie): Brothers Groove, Greenstreet, Motor City Sidestrokes, Switchback

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