It makes for an easy, more catchy headline to say that Galapagos Art Space is leaving Brooklyn for Detroit. In reality, it's actually Highland Park—an independent enclave of Detroit—that will feel most of the Galapagos love.
Four of the five major properties purchased by executive director Robert Elmes are in Highland Park, including the abandoned monstrosity will serve as the main Galapagos structure. Since we're already familiar with the one Detroit property (a warehouse in Corktown), let's see the small empire Galapagos bagged in Highland Park.
Some additional factoids worth knowing:
· The Free Press gives a good description of exactly what Galapagos does: "Unlike a nonprofit museum or theater, Galapagos is a for-profit arts space presenting a variety of pop music, theater, dance, indie classical music, cabaret, burlesque, lectures, TED talks and more."
· Galapagos accepts no public funding or grants.
· Completed over several years, total renovation costs are expected to reach $60-$90 million.
· "We are there to build a venue and build studios and some lofts. As that gains traction, we'll add more parts to the whole and that's the goal of the project." -Robert Elmes quoted by Crain's
· Galapagos is expected to complete its first phase of renovation in 12-16 months.
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Galapagos Plans to Rehab a Staggering Amount Blight in Highland Park

Highland Park High School
Opened in 1915, HPHS is a beautiful limestone structure that has been completely scrapped out since closing in 2009. This will serve as Galapagos' main HQ, and will eventually be home to the 10,000-square-foot indoor lake. [Photo via DetroitUrbex]
Ferris Elementary
Originally opened in 1911, the former Ferris Elementary School is known for having a large glass atrium in the center of the building. It closed in the 1990s. [Photo via DetroitUrbex]
12345 3rd Street
Records indicate this building sold for $18K in the 2014 tax auction. The NYT article describes one building as "an old power plant that looks like a little Tate Modern." This fits the bill. [Photo via MotorCity Mapping]
224 Highland Street
A huge, abandoned building that looks like it was originally built as a school. Records indicate it was last used as a homeless shelter. [Image: MotorCity Mapping]
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