Hotel Durant in Flint, Michigan

[WeaponSamurai]

is it there today?

[MyMusic1130]

wow, They sure did put a lot of work into this building. I've driven by it my whole life with it looking in shambles. But the awesome lofts just opened last August for rent which I am about to move in to.

[Zirious23]

They reopened and renovated the building to it's former 1920's opulence, it looks AMAZING now! They have tours from 10 am to 3 pm now.

[RetroToledo]

@Zirious23 At least it was spared.

[RossLH]

Haha, "Everyone knows no one sells crack on Sundays."

[dahur]

I was on "The Kenny Roberts Show" in the early 60's. It was a telethon special event broadcast from the Durant Hotel in Flint, Mi. Meant for handicapped kids, of which my sister was, somehow my Mom got me on too. All I remember is, it was crammed with people, and not a lot of fun.

Kenny Roberts show was on Channel 5, out of Saginaw, Mi. from 1961-1966. I read Michael Landon and Joe E. Ross were at the Telethon at the Durant Hotel that day too.

[sunnyallthetime]

Just be glad you weren't being hunted down by a homicidal replicant!

[JeffN727]

This hotel is currently being renovated, and will be turned into upscale apartments.

[EMUmonster]

is that supposed to be a joke?

[JeffN727]

No, its the truth.

[doughnazi]

Thanks for posting yrvelouria. It reminded me of videos I've seen of Gary (Near Chicago)

Were you carrying a gun at the time?

I would have thought it was a hangout for homeless and Junkies, did it smell bad?

[jgbaren]

I hope you were packin more than the camera

[rjferguson1]

my great grandfather committed suicide along with his mistress in the durant back in 1942. ive been searching for info on it if you have any info or know where I can look please respond.

[steveb78]

If you are in the Flint area, go to the Flint Public Library... they have newspaper archives dating back then, or call the Flint Journal and see what they might have.

[isisx310]

WOW- man, I work for an environmental company and often end up in similiar buildings. From the looks of it-you have NO IDEA how much asbestos you probably just walked through! All the piping that was removed most likely had asbestos insulation around it--- you should probably wear a respirator next time. Just a heads up :)

[uploadJ]

isisx310: " WOW- man, I work for an environmental company and often end up in similiar buildings. From the looks of it-you have NO IDEA how much asbestos you probably just walked through! "

No worries; just don't kick up any dust ...

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[badnewswade]

@uploadJ Yeah, I often wander around in empty buildings, and it does get me worried about the old 'bestos...

[KeithEmmerichPhoto]

my favorite comment "thats downtown Flint for you" wait wait...go back I blinked and missed it

[wattstarr911]

did i see the barrel of a revolver????Im a former Flint area guard that decided Flint had no future and moved to New Orleans to do recover for Katrina.

[anodesjoinops]

looks like an automatic, :56 seconds.

[biblefarce]

god i hope u left the city dude. i couldnt handlr the unemployment

[closedeyz]

Does anyone know if it is still there and possible to sneak into and play airsoft?

[IFlick]

Certainly a more interesting place to explore would be the Genesee Towers, the largest structure in the skyline - also an abandoned ruin in the center of the city. Better hurry before the wrecking ball beats you to it.

[dto605]

Flint needs to be knocked down

[typezstg]

i read in the Journal somewhere a couple months ago UMFlint might turn the Durant into dorms?

[searchforthetruth]

I've been fascinated with that building my whole life...never been in it. Thanks for the tour. The Genesee County Land Bank bought the building and is looking for a developer.  Don't hold your breath.

[Zirious23]

@searchforthetruth and dude, that place is fully restored already, they did it last year. search it on google, they have a durant website now :D

[jhhpdmr1]

rummor has it that the city either knocked it down or is rehabing it for apartments, anyone know what the city did with it

[littlens]

I was in the building about 5 years ago. It was nearly abandoned then - it's really a shame too because that top floor view makes the city not look like it's falling apart

[chameleonday]

Looks like it's been mined for copper like

[matabruce77]

Please don't portray the Durant as a flop house.I lived in Flint in the forties and fifties and it was most elegant. Mrs Church's etiquette and dance class held their formal dance in the Ball Room. It was a wonderful place.

[yrvelouria]

i totally agree, it is a shame to see it in its current state.

[tonebro]

Its certainly worse than it looks on the outside. WOw, last year my school route was passing this place daily.

[holten75]

The buidling needs to be torn down

[IFlick]

Now, the largest structure in the Flint skyline, Genesee Towers is an abandon building. Costs of repair exceed its value and is a candidate for the wrecking ball. At least for this hotel there may be a future as student housing.

[lakesuites]

when was this building built

[yrvelouria]

1920s, not sure of the exact date.

[Zirious23]

@yrvelouria Its FULLY restored now praise GOD, its an apartment building now with state of the art technology, its awsome. they have tours on the weekends and weekdays.

[BrianMChampion]

Thanks for the view. How did you get inside? It's still a nice looking building from the outside (except for some broken windows where it looks like the inside is exposed to the elements), but boy is it trashed inside.