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Gallery: A Peek Inside Detroit's Ransom Gillis House Before 'Rehab Addict' Airs

November 01, 2015, 3:58 PM by  Allan Lengel

The line snaked around the block on Alfred Street and John R on a sun-kissed Sunday afternoon in Brush Park in Detroit as people gathered for an open house to get a glimpse of the 1876 Ransom Gillis house at 205 Alfred Street that's undergone a major makeover by Nicole Curtis, HGTV star and host of "Rehab Addict." 

Some came as early as 9 a.m. to stand in line, according to security guard, Nick Brooks, who was amazed by the level of interest in the house. In all, about 2,000 people showed up.

The event was hosted by Curtis and Quicken Loans, which has invested in the property.  Curtis' show on the remaking of the home -- an eight-part series -- begins airing Thursday at 9 p.m. on  HGTV.

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A dining room

On Sunday, the media was given an opportunity to come in the house before the 2 p.m. starting time for the open house.

Jay Farner, president of Quicken Loans, and Steven Rosenthal, a principal with Bedrock, talked to the media about the house, explaining that it has a total of about 4,800-square feet and has been divided into two homes, each with three bedrooms and two entrances. For now, they said both homes will be rented. They declined to say for how much. 

Interestingly, before photographers and reporters were set free to roam the house, Curtis announced that the media, like the public, would not be allowed to take photos. She said she didn't want the photos out there before the show.  It was an awkward moment, with photographers standing there with all their photo equipment.

Then one of the Quicken Loans public relations people, to the obvious displeasure of Curtis, announced that photographers could take as many photos as they wanted. At that point, an annoyed Curtis said; "I'm going outside."

After a little while, the public began trickling in. The first person in: Joan Ayling, 90, who said that she lived on the block in the 1920s for about two years.

There's been a lot of interest in the mansion and the show, "Rehab Addict," which describes the project this way:

Nicole Curtis begins renovations on the Ransom Gillis House, a historic home in Detroit's Brush Park neighborhood. Built in 1876 and abandoned since the 1960s, this mansion is in need of some serious rehab. Construction is underway, and all of the trades work together to reinforce the strength of the home, one brick at a time. Nicole attempts to salvage as many original elements as possible and restore this home to its former glory.

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Upstairs bedroom
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Upstairs bathroom
 

Another upstairs bedroom with nice brickwork.

The livingroom off front entrance

An enthusiastic crowd lined up. The temperature was 63 degrees.

Nicole Curtis walked around talking to people who came for the open house.
One of the fireplaces

One of two kitchens in the house

Some of the nice detail in the house.

Outside view of the mansion.

A cozy study off an upstairs bedroom

A hallway on the main floor

Some of the nice brick detail on the outside.

Joan Ayling, the first person to get in, lived on the block in the 1920s.

Security monitor Nick Brooks said some people came around 9 a.m. for the 2 p.m. open house.

 



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