Ransom Gillis House in Brush Park

[bust]

Let's return to the Ransom Gills House renovation.

Big +1.

Crime in Detroit is a problem that cannot be ignored. But it's incredibly discouraging to so often witness here what a problem racism in Detroit still is. And I say that without specifically accusing anyone of it.

Racism is one of the biggest reasons I left, and is now the biggest reason I hesitate to return. High rates of crime can be avoided in the Detroit metro region. Racism still cannot. Not yet.

Let's please move on now.

[JenniferL]

she was, supposedly, at griswold and Larned after Jazz Fest. it's not a neighborhood its the CBD.. and I'd bet money the CBD is not predominantly "black"...just from my observation of the daily make up of the CBD and who lives in what little residential there is there.

So is your point that white women aren't safe in any part of Detroit because it's 80% black as whole?

Just chiming in here because I am a white woman and this is a mostly-male forum...

When you are a woman of any race, you have to fear for your own safety ALL THE FREAKING TIME. Add extra points if...
1. You are alone, or if you are with small children
2. It's night
3. You are carrying a purse or bag
4. You are in a parking lot/garage
5. You are in a place with nooks and niches where you can't see if anybody's there [[i.e. an alleyway)
6. You are in a bar or at a frat party or some other place where a lot of people are drinking
7. You are in a high crime neighborhood
8. You are in a place where drugs are regularly bought or sold
9. You are in a place where sex is regularly bought or sold
10. There are no "eyes upon the street"
11. There's nobody who will hear you if you scream
12. You're in a place where if something happens to you and people do see it, they won't talk to the police

[MSUguy]

From the Brush Park facebook page

[DinNC]

I'm hoping someone in this thread can answer these questions for me. When I see pictures of the home in it's current state I notice there are some parts of the brick that look lighter then other parts. Has it always been like this? Is this newer brick? Can anything be done to make it look for uniform?

From what I've read the airing of this house on her show will be in November. Is that still the case. They look like they still have a lot to do on the outside. I can only imagine how much work they have to do inside.

I hope you all have a great Sunday and thank you for letting me post. I also Apologize if this was discussed already. Limited time to read through the whole thread.

[DetroitBoy]

I'm hoping someone in this thread can answer these questions for me. When I see pictures of the home in it's current state I notice there are some parts of the brick that look lighter then other parts. Has it always been like this? Is this newer brick? Can anything be done to make it look for uniform?

From what I've read the airing of this house on her show will be in November. Is that still the case. They look like they still have a lot to do on the outside. I can only imagine how much work they have to do inside.

I hope you all have a great Sunday and thank you for letting me post. I also Apologize if this was discussed already. Limited time to read through the whole thread.

The bricks on the building are weathered and the replacement bricks not so much. They will probably clean the bricks before the reveal to make them look clean and more uniform. Hopefully, Nicole will not get robbed again or something WORSE before she can finish the project and get out of Detroit. With these fools running wild in the streets, it's still not safe to be in the area.

[SaintMe]

The bricks on the building are weathered and the replacement bricks not so much. They will probably clean the bricks before the reveal to make them look clean and more uniform. Hopefully, Nicole will not get robbed again or something WORSE before she can finish the project and get out of Detroit. With these fools running wild in the streets, it's still not safe to be in the area.

According to Rochelle Riley she isn't exactly planning to "get out of Detroit."

To her credit, Curtis, who unabashedly loves Detroit and told the Arizona newspapers that she plans to move the bulk of her business from Minneapolis back home to Detroit,

http://www.freep.com/story/news/colu...king/32569051/

[DetroitBoy]

According to Rochelle Riley she isn't exactly planning to "get out of Detroit."



http://www.freep.com/story/news/colu...king/32569051/

This article would be almost comical if it didn't touch so many people who suffer continued fear for their safety and life changing experiences at the hands of these hoodlums. They continue to attack people on the streets and have now spread out to the first ring suburbs, driving an overall increase in regional crime.

Rochelle's ignorant comment, 'Stop overreacting to crime", is an insult to the daily victims in the city. She should call the two grandmothers who were attacked, robbed, abducted and dumped in a vacant field on the west side after an evening at the Motor City Casino this week and tell them to stop overacting. The surveillance tape even suggests the attacker was friends with the security guards at the casino from the looks of the conversation he had with them when he entered.

If anything, the reduction in crime is little more than a dent in an area that rivals many third world countries for lawlessness. It's not surprising that the DFP with their staff of reporters and editors, most who would be easily outshined by any suburban high school newspaper staffer, would print a story like this. As for Nicole, I am glad she says she is staying with Detroit. I hope she's smart enough to get herself better security to escort her when she is here.

[subsidized]

I'm hoping someone in this thread can answer these questions for me. When I see pictures of the home in it's current state I notice there are some parts of the brick that look lighter then other parts. Has it always been like this? Is this newer brick? Can anything be done to make it look for uniform?

From what I've read the airing of this house on her show will be in November. Is that still the case. They look like they still have a lot to do on the outside. I can only imagine how much work they have to do inside.

I hope you all have a great Sunday and thank you for letting me post. I also Apologize if this was discussed already. Limited time to read through the whole thread.

Replacement bricks. Check out the house before the city put a new roof on.

[DinNC]

WOW! I didn't realize it looked like that at one point. That picture next to the finished product should be the city's symbol of progress. I can't wait to see the series. Have a good evening everyone!

[mikeg19]

WOW! I didn't realize it looked like that at one point. That picture next to the finished product should be the city's symbol of progress. I can't wait to see the series. Have a good evening everyone!

I know right!?

It't amazing that we have structures that sit open to the elements for decades that were built in the 1800's and are being rehabbed. Yet, it seems like in today's age, we can't get a bridge or building to stand for 50 years. Truly amazing craftsmanship that was put into those structures.

[Lowell]

Ransom Gillis House Sept. 25, 2015 [click image for larger view]

The spire has been rebuilt. Cast iron parts should be next.

Update October 23.

[hybridy]

Ransom Gillis House Sept. 25, 2015 [click image for larger view]

The spire has been rebuilt. Cast iron parts should be next.

Anyone know if they'll be a public open house where it's complete?

[DinNC]

So, again I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but it doesn't look like they are going to rebuild the 2nd chimney. Anyone now why or are we just going to have to wait until the show? Either way it looks great.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

So, again I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but it doesn't look like they are going to rebuild the 2nd chimney. Anyone now why or are we just going to have to wait until the show? Either way it looks great.

Nor the dormer; I was really hoping that would be rebuilt.

[ABetterDetroit]

Myself, I am just happy that this house was saved from a wrecked ruin and is transformed into something nice that people can live in. Chimneys or dormers are not the priority, making it livable for human beings is. A big Thank You! for all involved, if only the whole crew could move on to the next one until there are not any more that need to be completely rebuilt.

[jmarie]

Nicole Curtis usually does an open house after every remodel. She normally announces it last minute [[no sooner than the day before) and she charges $5 for a charitable cause. She typically does an open house before the renovation, too, but I suppose there wasn't anything to see inside this time.

[mikeg19]

Sorry if I missed it, but what is going to be the end game on the place? Sell it, single family dwelling for a high bidder, B&B, etc? I'm not too familiar with her show and what is done with the properties after the rehab is completed.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Sorry if I missed it, but what is going to be the end game on the place? Sell it, single family dwelling for a high bidder, B&B, etc? I'm not too familiar with her show and what is done with the properties after the rehab is completed.

This was in an August MLive article:

"There's not a definitive plan for the home post-renovation. Curtis and Quicken President Jay Farner said the home, which will be split down the middle into two units, will be a residential space, but they're unsure of whether it will be rented or sold."

Nicole seems to normally sell the houses after renovation [[at least she did with the Minneapolis properties) but this is a totally different project since Quicken is behind it. Last I heard, she was keeping both the Campbell Street and E. Grand houses, but I don't know if that has changed.

[jmarie]

Last I heard, she was keeping both the Campbell Street and E. Grand houses, but I don't know if that has changed.

I don't know if she intends to keep them both long term, but they are both still fully staged. Last week she was asking locals if anyone had mattresses she could have because both houses are still staged.

I know there was speculation she would keep the Grand Blvd house for herself since she announced the project.

[p69rrh51]

Images taken 9/29/15. Ann Brady Baxter's stained glass window looks very good, much better in person than from a picture.

[p69rrh51]

The original columns in the turret have returned.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Certainly is coming along! Looks much better with the upgraded roof, and I'm glad to see that they seem to have faced the new cinder block in order to get it to blend in.

I can't begin to imagine what the interior might look like. Definitely looking forward to the tv show.

[old guy]

It is an incredible project. I'm amazed at what they started with, and the transformation.

[Richard]

It is an incredible project. I'm amazed at what they started with, and the transformation.

I agree.

It is going to be hard to look at any derelict building in Detroit now and use the "its to far gone to save" argument.

I wonder if they are going to "stain" the brick work which would blend it in to all one color and cover up the repairs.

[One Shot]

Amazing work! I mean starting with literally ashes.
Is it just me or does the turret still look like its sagging? Optical illusion due to angle of the pics?