From Paris to post-apocalypse

Photographer Sean Doerr, 25, has done more than just drive by: He’s been exploring abandoned buildings in the city since he was 12 years old and photographing them since he was 16.

“I started taking the bus into downtown from Wayne (State University) when I was 14,” he said.

In 2010, Doerr teamed up with journalist Dan Austin to create the book “Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins,” which tells the mostly tragic tales behind 12 iconic Detroit ruins. These sites include Michigan Central Station, the original Cass Technical High School, the Michigan Theatre and the Grande Ballroom.

A number of the buildings have already been demolished, including Cass Technical High School, while others, such as the Broderick Tower have already taken on a second or third life. Visitors to downtown Detroit may recall the giant humpback whales painted on the Broderick as it underwent restoration. Today the building, located on the edge of Grand Circus Park, is a 34-story residential skyscraper. The book also features tragic tales of reuse, such as turning the Michigan Theatre into a “baroque” parking garage.

Doerr’s incredible images show both the unbelievable deterioration and the beautiful architectural details of old Detroit, a city once called the Paris of North America.

One of the most striking photographs, and the one that graces the cover of “Lost Detroit,” shows the auditorium of Eastown Theatre. The image shows the once illustrious auditorium with a streak of light shining through a hole in the gold gilded ceiling.

“When I shot the photo I said to myself, ‘It sucks, the light ruined the photo,’ but it was a once-in-a-lifetime shot and I grew to like it,” said Doerr.

Of course, a book on Detroit’s historic ruins wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Michigan Central Station. The dilapidated station has become a symbol of the city’s decline, drawing gawkers and urban spelunkers from around the world. The building, constructed in 1913 for $2.5 million, has hosted post-apocalyptic themed weddings and is a favorite location for taggers and graffiti artists.

The last train left Michigan Central in 1988 for one last run to Chicago. Trains had become outmoded, doomed by the increased use of automobiles and cheap air flight. Today, it is owned by the controversial billionaire Matty Moroun, who also owns the Ambassador Bridge.

One of Doerr’s favorite places to photograph was the old Cass Technical High School, which was located just south of the school’s current facilities. The original building, built in 1917, rose eight stories high and boasted more than 830,000 square feet. It was torn down in 2011.

“It could’ve been the crown jewel of the city, but it’s as if everyone got up and left, leaving everything behind,” Doerr said.

While many refer to his work as “ruin porn,” Doerr said the book’s purpose is show the history of the building and why it is important.

“I’m obsessed with what happened inside the walls,” he said. “(Austin and I) wanted to use the book to bring an awareness to the problem and say, ‘Now is the time.’”

Doerr said when he hears the phrase “Detroit is coming back,” he bristles.

“My whole definition (of comeback) differs,” he said. “Some of the areas being rebuilt, I wouldn’t call them Detroit — it’s all built new,” Doerr said.

Today, Doerr works full time for a realty company, renovates vacant houses and works as a freelance photographer. He’s also considering a similar book about Highland Park.

“It would be even more engaging and more amazing,” he said.

Doerr’s approach to photography is not recommended for the faint of heart. He cited both structural instability and the risk of being robbed or worse as dangers he has faced. Most of the time he gains entrance to the abandoned buildings through an opening that has a missing piece of plywood, meaning someone was there before him.

The photographer will be discussing his work and will be selling books and photos on Saturday, Feb. 28 at two Capital Area District Library branches: Downtown Lansing Branch at 1 p.m. and Holt-Delhi Branch at 4 p.m.

Sean Doerr, photographer talk and book signing

1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28

CADL Downtown Lansing Branch 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing (517) 367-6363, cadl.org 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 CADL Holt-Delhi Branch 2078 Aurelius Road, Holt (517) 694-9351, cadl.org