Check out the amazing turnaround of a Second Empire home on Vinewood Street

We’ve featured a lot of impressive renovations at Curbed Detroit over the years. This one on Vinewood Street, now for rent, is up there with the best.

Kelly and David Larson have renovated several properties in Corktown, including two on Vermont Street and a multi-family on Dalzelle Street. This turnaround was surely their most challenging.

The home at 3311 Vinewood Street just outside Southwest Detroit was built all the way back in 1877. David Larson says it was originally part of Springwells Township. The home is in the Second Empire style—distinguished by the mansard roof and dormer windows—examples of which are mostly found in Brush Park mansions.

When the Larsons bought the home two years ago, it was in terrible shape. Parts of the roof, windows, and walls were gone. The ceiling was falling apart. The first floor was filled with debris. It’s only one of two homes left on its side of the block.

Courtesy of David Larson

The fact that the home has been saved at all is remarkable—it was even on the city’s demolition list. Not only was it saved, but it’s been turned into a beautiful residence with original features intact or recreated where appropriate, a few personal touches made, and every detail thoughtfully considered.

Take the attractive periwinkle color scheme on the outside, nicely painted onto every single bit of wood trim and corbel. Or the fact that every piece of the original hardwood floor that could be saved was—boards from the second story floor were moved to the living room to create a seamless look. There’s very little original trim, but the new baseboards are the exact same size and dimension. The new crown molding is nicely detailed as well.

The Larsons were able to rebuild the French front doors—which come with some impressive leaded glass—and pocket doors to the dining room and kitchen. Interestingly, the bay windows are not original, but certainly look great. And antiques like the light fixtures and a slate fireplace with inset tiles, were bought online.

The kitchen and upstairs bathroom are completely modern, with new appliances, faucets, countertops, and floors.

David estimates the renovation cost around $120,000.

Want to live in this impressive place? The Larsons are looking for tenants. The three-bedroom, 1,400-square-foot property is renting for $2,000 a month.

Photos by Aaron Mondry