Ransom Gillis Open House Draws Massive Crowd

Detroiters lined up for blocks Nov 1 to get a look inside Ransom Gillis House. The newly created duplex, restored by HGTV star Nicole Curtis, received almost overwhelming praise from crowds gathered to take a look inside yesterday. Hundreds came, with shoes in hand (no shoes were allowed inside the house), to tour the 1876 mansion. Episodes of Curtis' show The Rehab Addict featuring the grand old home's restoration begin airing on HGTV Nov 5. Curbed has exclusive photographs of the place, and it's a showstopper.

From the Pewabic tile plaque set into the entry of the larger of the two duplexes, to the tiny office inside the newly restored turret, to the lovely eat-in kitchen in the smaller unit, the work here is beyond reproach. The stained glass and stonework alone took our breath away. Local craftspeople were instrumental in making Ransom Gillis, just a brick shell six months ago, into two stunning homes. Quicken Loans underwrote the project, and the company's president, Jay Farner, was on hand to welcome media to tour the property.

"The thing we've been focused on in the city is increasing property values," Farner said, explaining that raising comps in neighborhoods like Brush Park is a huge part of Quicken Loans' Detroit strategy. While Farner refused to disclose how much the company had spent on Ransom Gillis, or even what they'd invested in Brush Park, he did say that work in the area is far from finished. For example, in addition to Ransom Gillis, three more historic homes in the area are slated for restoration. We look forward to seeing what they become, too.

Check back tomorrow for more exclusive photographs, this time, of the second duplex unit.

·Nicole Curtis Talks to Curbed about Ransom Gillis [Curbed Detroit]
·Media Tour of Ransom Gillis Highlights Renewal [Curbed Detroit]
·Dan Gilbert Sponsors Nicole Curtis Rehab of Ransom Gillis House [Curbed Detroit]