Message Boards

My friend's son converted this space into a loft/condo in Detroit from an abandoned building. Scroll down and see the phenomenal job he did. He loves Detroit and is trying to make a difference room by room, building by building.
He gave me a tour over the holidays and he's made some changes since this picture. He's only about 29 y.o. - you should see his resume!

http://detroit.curbed.com/arch.../marcs-apartment.php

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,

looks stunning! what a big open space, and some really crafty ideas that are budget friendly.. great job

That's talent! What a wonderful conversion. TFS
Would love to see more.

I looked at the various houses for sale in Detroit. Either these houses are in terrible shape, are on the fringe of dangerous neighborhoods OR Detroit is in worse financial shape than I knew. I couldn't believe the prices for these manions. Would definitely be worth moving to Detroit for just to live in luxury.

Thanks Boo, Acychi, LL.
Detroit is really depressed. You can buy something pretty decent in an ok 'hood for around $22,000.

The area Marc is trying to revitalize is in the Wayne State University area. He's buying a couple of mansions in the surrounding area and converting them to 5 or 6 units. Most will have 2 bedrooms, which will rent for around $1200. Medical students are typically renting from him. One student gave him rent in advance for the whole year.
He took me and his mom thru one of the mansions he wants to buy @ $120,000 which needed a lot of work. It looked really rough from sitting empty so long and no heat on. He said the bones were great though.
He'll probably have to invest about $100,000 and then all will look fabulous. He's all about preserving anything he can; ie, wood floors, crown molding. I saw one of the custom insulated windows he'll be using. The high ceilings and wood working on it were awesome. He thinks in 4-5 yrs, he'll get his money out of it, plus the rental income. He has an attorney for one of the Detroit football players willing to front his renovating expenses for this house. The house is across the street from the attorney's renovated mansion, which also has rental units. She really believes in the work Marc is doing to the area and trusts this area can come "alive."
Wayne State is building a $93 million multidisciplinary biomedical research building in this area; hopefully it will bring in new trickle-down businesses. The small shops, bars and restaurants are slowly coming in.
I can only hope with him....

Sounds like this smart young man is part of the Detroit Renaissance program. If any great American heartland city deserves to rise from the ashes like the phoenix, it's Detroit.

Yep, you are so right. Too bad the car companies/unions did it in.
Are you at all familiar with Detroit? I worked in the RenCen for a number of years, but never gravitated too far out from the river area or Greektown. Went to an occasional Tiger game in the area. The old ball park was at Michigan and Trumball - very near this area of Corktown.
I am excited to see how he does...

quote:

Originally posted by nance425:
Yep, you are so right. Too bad the car companies/unions did it in.
Are you at all familiar with Detroit? I worked in the RenCen for a number of years, but never gravitated too far out from the river area or Greektown. Went to an occasional Tiger game in the area. The old ball park was at Michigan and Trumball - very near this area of Corktown.
I am excited to see how he does...

While I can agree with you that the car companies and unions have been a negative influence on the general economy, I'm not sure they're what did Detroit in. There's always been a lot of cor ruption in the city (are you following the Kilpatrick trial?) and the riots in the 60's fueled the "white flight" to the burbs. Those of us who live outside the city limits and have only ventured in for special events usually have a story or two to tell about experiences we don't want to repeat...ever!

It's too bad that all that history and beautiful architecture is going to waste...despite people like the Ilich's who dump billions into it. I wish your friend's son all the luck in the world.

He is gathering great experiences and has a creative mind. I am glad he found the right place to do what he LOVES to do!

Really creative space he made, the closet idea with the ladder is incredible!

Belstone - yep, all contributed to its downfall. I read that a lot of the homeowners were laborers and connected to businesses for the car industries. I hope the new governor can help Detroit...he's trying but got turned down on one of the issues.
I didn't know you live(d)? in the area. I've been gone from MI about 9 years, but have family there and go back 1-2x/year. Went to a game at the "new" baseball stadium. Wow! That's a happening area on game nights! Love it!
Ruth: thanks, he is amazing! I'm sure his mom "never would have thunk" he'd be where he is today. She's a single mom and has done a great job with him.