  Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4821 Registered: 10-2003 |
I notice there is construction going on...  | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11798 Registered: 10-2003 |
I know it just changed owners recently, though haven't made time to stop by and see what's up. Not sure if you ventured around to the back of the place, but they've completely reconstructed the whole rear of the building, framing and bricking it. I think RSA may have spoke with the construction guys and has some info. If not, I'll try and swing by soon, as I've been curious to as to what is taking shape. | ||
Pmardo Member Username: Pmardo Post Number: 76 Registered: 03-2006 |
From what I hear they are converting it to two or three condos. They were in front of the historic commission last month for a curb cut and car port - not sure if they were approved or not. Work seems to have slowed down in the last couple of weeks but they are still making steady progress. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1491 Registered: 10-2003 |
a friend of mine lives in the house next door and i asked her about it. apparently, it was bought by some investors from out of town; colorado i believe. they are indeed renovating it into two or three condos. their goal was to have it finished by the end of june, but IMO that's a bit optimistic. the interesting thing they told her was that "word on the street" throughout the country is that detroit is the place to invest right now. that the current economy, prices, and renovation is making it almost a sure thing. those are their words, not mine, but it's nice to hear that from out of state investors... | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4824 Registered: 10-2003 |
I have heard the same rumblings RSA. Detroit is on the rise, low prices, incredible architectural gems, etc. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1646 Registered: 04-2006 |
I think the owners are either named Munster or Addams. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1157 Registered: 11-2003 |
I was out bid on that house about 2 yrs ago. They were investors from California. I didn't like them. | ||
Crew Member Username: Crew Post Number: 1434 Registered: 02-2004 |
I heard they were gypsies...small hands...smelled like cabbage. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6893 Registered: 08-2004 |
Jfried, of course you didn't like them... YOU WERE OUTBID! | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 773 Registered: 05-2006 |
Reminds me of the house from "Psycho".  | ||
Downtownguy Member Username: Downtownguy Post Number: 141 Registered: 07-2004 |
Related to Rsa's comment above about investors in Detroit is this story on home sales on NPR today with a Detroit twist. Link to the story and audio is here: www.npr.org/templates/story/st ory.php?storyId=90889539 Why Are Homes Sales Rising? Day to Day, May 28, 2008 · A new report says home sales are rising in areas of the country that were hardest hit by the mortgage crisis. Madeleine Brand talks to Carl Williams, the President of the Detroit Association of Realtors. He explains what the numbers mean and who is buying these properties. | ||
Grumpyoldlady Member Username: Grumpyoldlady Post Number: 101 Registered: 06-2005 |
I'd love to see photos of the inside of that house...before restoration. | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 212 Registered: 12-2006 |
The scariest house I know is....the White House. Original, Second-Empire Victorian homes are extremely rare. Extremely! They're much more rare than a Queen Anne, for example. SEs were the buildings most often torn down in later years; their heavy ornamentation and graceful lines was especially contrary to the sharp, modern silhouette desired by mid-20th century tastes. Second-empires were often considered "monstrosities" by the myopic ones and as I remember, most were happy to see them go. Historic preservation at the time was limited to a few national treasures and little else. The tide began to turn when our Old City Hall was torn down, but it was already too late for many Detroit homes. You almost never see second-empires in the South, the few in the West are tourist attractions. Detroit has a boatload of second-empire structures by comparison; a man-made resource created by old-world-trained craftsmen just waiting to be tapped. Just the fact that many are still standing is a testimony to their quality. When I see a house such as this, I first think of a Detroit before cars were produced. I'd like to live in old Detroit back then. Except for the cholera epidemics, that is. This house was always a favorite of mine. I'm glad to see it's being saved. I hope the renovations are sympathetic to the original structure. Way to go! | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 484 Registered: 06-2005 |
That was the house I called on back in january and I was told "it just sold last week for $55,000". My reply was good, because it probably would have caused me a divorce. I do hope they remove that cinder block addition. That would have been the first thing I would have done. I hope someone keeps posting progession pics. | ||
Pmardo Member Username: Pmardo Post Number: 77 Registered: 03-2006 |
From my conversation with one of the workers there, the cinder block is staying. Not sure why (I agree, it is such an eye sore!), but perhaps as a second mode of egress for fire code. | ||
Mackcreative Member Username: Mackcreative Post Number: 234 Registered: 08-2006 |
They have been sandblasting the paint off the cinder block addition, hopefully preparing it for some sort of appealing surface treatment. The speed that they are working is awe-inspiring to a toiler like me. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2532 Registered: 10-2006 |
The cinder (concrete) block addition doesn't appear in the photo. Anyone know the address, and I shall look at an aerial image. Then it shall be easier to understand the layout. It is possible it was for egress, but only likely required if the structure had a denser occupancy, like office or something. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 2533 Registered: 10-2006 |
Oh wait, I see what you all mean now--I thought that was plywood there on the side structure. | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 485 Registered: 06-2005 |
That definitely is a cinder block addition. I looked at this house over New Years and thought who the hell did that. I'd say what they are going to do is probably brick it to match the house. Yes I too would love to see the inside if anyone has a chance to do that, that would be awsome. Wonder how bad it really was dilapitated? Was it stripped of all the electrical/plumbing, woodwork? I sure would love to see. I fell in love with this immediately when I seen it. And I seriously would have moved back if it had not been sold and yes it would have been a divorce as my partner would never move there. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 467 Registered: 04-2004 |
Look at that destroyed light pole | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 5112 Registered: 10-2003 |
I met some folks who were renovating this place a couple years ago...And I thought they had demolished the cinder block addition which was attached to the rear of the property... It sounds like it has changed owners a couple times since then. At any rate, a gem of a house that has sat for decades. It didn't have much time left. | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 2840 Registered: 01-2004 |
"I'd love to see photos of the inside of that house...before restoration." BAMN ! http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 5/05/woodbridge.html | ||
Grumpyoldlady Member Username: Grumpyoldlady Post Number: 103 Registered: 06-2005 |
Wow! After seeing the interior photos, I don't understand anyone trying to restore it...there's nothing left to restore! Just a partial brick shell. Just my opinion, as one who knows nothing of building restoration. Thanks for the photos! | ||
Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner Post Number: 486 Registered: 06-2005 |
Mauser765 Thanks so much for the photos. Man its WAY worse than I thought. I dont understand why people would let it get to this. Some people appreciate nothing I guess. Glad it was sold when I called on it. Any guesses on the restoration costs? My guess would be $250,000????? Anyone know when the last time the house was occupied? (approximately) Again. Thanks for the pics Mauser765.You made my day. | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 226 Registered: 12-2006 |
You don't see interiors that often....thanks for that link. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 598 Registered: 03-2008 |
Anyone know anything about the house that used to be on Sproat near Woodward? It was that erie house on the fields just North of 75. | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 523 Registered: 11-2003 |
The pictures you see in the link above are of the rear portion that was demoed a few years ago. This house was converted at some point to become "Trumbull Hospital". I tried to buy this house about 7 years ago, but found a ton of red tape I had to go through before I could even sign a purchase agreement. The state wanted me to do multiple environmental tests on the property due to it once being a hospital. Was going to cost mega bucks, so I passed. I believe the cinder block addition on the side of the house which is still there, is a second stairwell which was probably added when it was a hospital. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6910 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks for the pics Mauser765... it looks like the side cinder block addition is going to stay, since it now has a mansard roof. I too am hoping for some exterior brickwork added to it. From one of the blog pics, it looks like there's a 2nd cinder block addition on the back as well. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2658 Registered: 07-2004 |
What's the latest on this development? | ||
Ghetto_butterfly Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly Post Number: 856 Registered: 09-2004 |
quote: That house belonged to a person named Dallas Christ in Troy. He owned it for a very long time, at least a decade or so but let it sit and rot. I wrote him a letter once, an inquiry but never got a response. Then it burned a few years ago, and was demolished. I talked to somebody from Crosswinds once about it and was told that another developer had a deal in the works on the land the house was sitting on. So I guess Mr. Christ was just another speculator and not interested in the house itself. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 966 Registered: 03-2008 |
Thanks Ghetto_butterfly! Very sad. That house with the yellow tape flying in the wind, on Sproat, with those old hotels towering over it was probably one of the creepiest settings I have ever seen. But, there was also something beautiful about it too. Walking by those lots at three or four AM was aways an experience (I would occasionally work late in Midtown, and lived downtown). I always found it all so out of place too. One house left? Was that whole area filled with houses like that? Very sad to see it go. The house that this thread is about is interesting. Looking at those "before" pictures of the inside really kind of surprised me. I am no expert (obviously), but I would have guessed that houses days were numbered based on it's condition. It really is a nice ray of sunshine on a otherwise cloudy day. Anyone have any updates? How much are the condos going for? Is it private sale only? Not looking to buy, just curious. |
