Exploring Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center in Detroit

Continuing the first part of our urban explorations… Andrew, Jennifer, and I headed to Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center in Detroit very close to where the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects are located (and about to be torn down as of this writing) for the second part of our 6th Urban Exploration. This location was special for me because like St. Agnes in Detroit, I had been here before in 2012. It was in this place I met many friends and photographers who got me into more of the locations in Detroit to follow.

The first thing I noticed was the higher volume of graffiti in this place. In 2012 the gymnasium walls had maybe two or three tags and the pool maybe had a dozen scattered throughout the abandoned environment. Seeing this place now was astounding. It was difficult to see where there wasn’t graffiti somewhere. The work done here was good, damn good. As you can see from the shots below, especially in the pool area, this place has become a haven for graffiti artists to one-up each other.

Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Outside View
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Outside View

A young woman exploring and photographing an abandoned building

Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Gymnasium Bleachers
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Gymnasium Bleachers
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Gymnasium Overview
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Gymnasium Overview
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Pool Overview no.1
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Pool Overview no.1
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Pool Graffiti in the Deep End
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Pool Graffiti in the Deep End
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Basement Center - Cafeteria
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Basement Center – Cafeteria
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center - Joe Lewis
Brewster-Wheeler Rec Center – Joe Lewis

In the basement is a painting of the boxer Joe Louis, who trained in this very facility!

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