Who's up for a roadtrip?

Creepy. Depressing. Sinister.

Yet, somehow, also enchanting and beautiful. 

William Livingstone House

A friend of mine sent me this link today, commenting that she wants to "make a road trip to Detroit, walk through some of these buildings, and well, engage in some minor looting", noting all the "banisters, signs, built-in shelving and drawers, lighting, etc., etc. that are begging to be re-purposed!"

Well put. I may have to finally get a respirator and talk to Evan about revising plans for our next vacation (I kid, Mom, I kid). Oddly, it wouldn't be his first road trip vacation to Detroit. The man is a big fan of the Rust Belt.

If you've not seen it yet, check out the entire slideshow here at the Huffington Post (where the images are much bigger and you'll be able to take in all the details).

A few of my favorite haunting shots, all taken by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre Photography:

Ballroom, American Hotel

United Artists Theater

Bagley-Clifford Office of the National Bank of Detroit

Melted clock, Cass Technical High School

Their entire collection of photos can be found in their book, Ruins of Detroit. 

For you Buffalonians, Evan adds this tidbit, as a means for perspective:

The city of Detroit encompasses 143 square miles, Buffalo 52 square miles.

Detroit is roughly the size of Buffalo, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Williamsville and the Tonawandas combined. Imagine if the worst of the decay on the Eastside encompassed all of Buffalo and the first ring suburbs. 

Makes me wonder what Mayor Bloomberg would have to say.