Are there laws preventing someone from buying downtown commercial buildings then demolishing them? (Detroit: 2014)

[Mighty_Pelican]

Here is a link to a map and pictures of seven large commercial buildings located in blocks in Downtown Detroit. Among them are 415 Clifford, 1260 Library, and the Michigan building on 220 Bagley St. If someone won the lottery, would anything stop someone from purchasing these properties then having them demolished? Some like 415 were completely vacant, at least in 2014.

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...-right-now.php

[jaynarie]

Usually, the only issue you would have when trying to get a permit would be historical status. Some major Detroit property owners haven't let them stop them....

Anyway, I'm sure you would receive backlash from the public for tearing down most of those, even with permission. The only would I wouldn't mind seeing go is #7- the hideous glass building in front of the Guardian...

[animatedmartian]

I think all of those buildings have been bought since the date of that posting.

Anyway, would be buyers would typically need a very good reason for demolition perfectly usable buildings. I can't think of too many reasons other than they would be building new buildings. Otherwise, it'd just be a waste of money.