Photo story

The current Detroit Renaissance is a few years in and has already had great success. Buildings and neighborhoods that were at one time abandoned and forgotten are now being purchased and flipped to fit into Detroit’s new vibe as one of the most notable metropoles in the country.

One metro-Detroit Resident, James Vaughan found himself divorced, unemplyed and free of any fatherly obligation since his children have graduated college and gotten married. He felt that paying to live in a Birmingham house all alone made little no sense, especially now that he was not working.

Vaughan decided to put his house in Birmingham up for sale and purchase an abandoned building (formerly a freezer storage unit) in Detroit. Taking a leap of faith, he felt that the eventual return rate on the building is well worth the current investment, which, quite frankly, is “all there is.”

“The real challenge,” Vaughan said, “is doing it all alone.”

In this photo series, you will see the early steps of renovating the building he has purchased at 8711 GrandRiver Avenue in Detroit, MI. Once he got the keys he started packing up his home, laying down some of the basic grunt work before he hires more people to take over. A man that gave it his all.

 

James Vaughan looks over blue prints of the building he has just purchased Tuesday, July 30th 2019. He is hoping to make modern changes to the floor plan.

James Vaughan compares old pictures of the building has just purchased Tuesday July 30th 2019. He is envisioning what it will look like with updated architecture.

 

James Vaughan researches an architect that will help fulfill his vision Tuesday July 30th 2019. He is weary about the cost of some of his renovation plans, but thinks it will be worth it in a few years.  

Vaughan’s Birmingham home sits in disarray as he prepares to move out his personal belongings and gets ready to sell.    

James Vaughan is finishing his basement as a way to make the most from the sell of his Birmingham home Friday, August 2nd 2019. He saw online that basements with carpeting and plumbing will raise the price on the market.   

James Vaughan begins the early stages of the renovation process of 8711 Grand River Avenue Detroit MI on Saturday, August 3rd. Without a crew just yet, he hopes to be able to save money. 

8711 Grand River avenue awaits renovations after Vaughan has cleaned out the bulk of the mess Monday, August 5th, 2019. This floor is projected to be converted into a loft space for Airbnb.    

One of Vaughan’s first paint jobs on the first floor of 8711 Grand River Ave., was completed on Wednesday, August 7th 2019. A dark ceiling is common in event spaces, he is hoping to use this area for hosting which will help with some of the return.    

Vaughan thinks of new ideas to renovate the rooftop on Thursday, August 8th, 2019. Making the outdoor rooftop safer and more aseptically pleasing is a great way to attract guets and hopeful income. 

James Vaughan is the proud owner of a Detroit biulding as of the Summer 2019. He is in the process of making it a versitile and useable space for the city’s event coompanies.  

8711’s rooftop view overlooks the city of Detroit. Vaughan hopes to buy spaces on the billboards nearby so that they reflect the “coollness” of the area and promote his new buidling.