Imagine stepping back into Detroit’s gilded age right here at the Ransom Gillis House. Built between 1876 and 1878, this historic home whispers tales of a bygone era. It stands as a testament to Victorian elegance and Detroit’s rich past.
Ransom Gillis, a wholesale dry goods merchant, commissioned this house. He envisioned a grand residence. Architects Henry T. Brush and George D. Mason brought that vision to life. The Ransom Gillis House showcases the Venetian Gothic style, a design made popular by John Ruskin’s “The Stones of Venice.”
Notice the turret. It’s the centerpiece of the house. Five rows of colorful tiles accent its circumference. Look closely at the geometric designs. The colors are bright blue, red, yellow, and brown. Similar tile work adorns the rest of the Ransom Gillis House.
Below the turret, you can see stone carvings. They depict quadruplets of flower blossoms. Each set is similar, yet uniquely different. An ornate stone post supports the turret from below. Dark, carved wood columns frame the entrance porch. The steep, dark slate mansard roof adds a final touch. Ornate iron cresting completes the peaks, a traditional detail of the time.
Interestingly, Ransom Gillis only lived here for a short time. He sold the property in 1880. Afterwards, the house passed through several wealthy families. Between 1880 and 1919, four upper-income families called this place home. Later, the mansion transformed into a rooming house.
But there’s more to this building’s history. The carriage house behind the Ransom Gillis House played a significant role in Detroit’s art scene. In 1903, Mary Chase Perry Stratton rented it. It became the first home of Pewabic Pottery. Though the pottery moved in 1906, its legacy remains.
In later years, the carriage house served various purposes. It was an auto repair shop, a battery service shop, and a filling station. Eventually, it was torn down and replaced by a restaurant in 1935.
A storefront was added to the front of the Ransom Gillis House in the late 1930s. It operated alongside the rooming house until the mid-1960s. The Ransom Gillis House then fell into disrepair.
Thankfully, the Ransom Gillis House received a new lease on life. In 2015, Nicole Curtis of HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” took on the project. With support from Quicken Loans, she renovated the mansion. The restoration was filmed as an eight-part TV series.
Today, the restored Ransom Gillis House stands as a symbol of Detroit’s revival. Its Venetian Gothic architecture and rich history make it a true gem. Take a moment to appreciate the intricate details. Consider the families who once lived here. The Ransom Gillis House is a reminder of Detroit’s enduring spirit.