Renovation Diary: A restored gem in Indian Village Manor

Indian Village Manor can be one of those buildings that, if you're not looking for it, you might miss it. Sitting next to Alden Park Towers on Jefferson, it maintains an understated beauty. Designed by Bonnah & Chaffee, IVM was built in 1921, and the apartments were turned into condos in the late 90s. The units were built in a way that they don’t share a common wall with any others, and the condos average about 2,400 square feet each. The building is full of original details.

Linda G bought a condo in the building in the spring of 2015, and a friend brought this foreclosure, 5B, to her attention shortly after. It was in rough shape. She took on the project, which we began following this spring. The initial post includes a walk through video of the condo when it was purchased.

Since she bought the condo, the team has restored the red oak wood floor, original 1921 French Door windows and Pulley windows, original Standard cast iron/porcelain tubs, terrazzo floor, 1956 Youngstown metal cabinets, plaster walls, plaster crown molding, decorative ceiling plaster work, and metal medicine cabinets. They did extensive work to the walls, which had so many holes in them. The second article reflects on many of the details that went into the restoration.

The intent was to be finished with the work early this summer, but of course, something always comes up. Linda says, "At the very end of the project, some of the kitchen cabinet doors needed to be replaced. Finding the right size and style doors took me all over the internet and took over 2 months."

The doors were original to IVM, and Linda ended up asking other residents for any available doors. She says, "The entire building had Youngstown Kitchen metal cabinets installed in the 1950's, and when different units remodel the cabinets are removed. Graciously, three condos in the building supplied the perfect doors needed in 5B."

The kitchen has undergone a major transformation, including a sink sourced from Michael Phelps’ Ann Arbor condo (who knew?)

The master bedroom had a platform before. Now that has been removed, the floors refinished, and the windows restored.

As for the project, Linda says it’s gratifying to see the physical reality of the space that’s been an image in her head for so long. It’s full of light, and she can’t wait to meet the new owners.

The condo is listed for $319,900. On Sunday, October 23, they’ll have an open house along with another condo in the building from 1-5pm. Here’s a look inside and around Indian Village Manor.

• Renovation Diary: Indian Village Manor [Curbed Detroit]
• Renovation Diary: Indian Village Manor - Demo and Discoveries [Curbed Detroit]
• Renovation Diary: Indian Village Manor, Part 3 [Curbed Detroit]
• 8120 E. Jefferson, #5B [Redfin]