HGTV show receives incentive from Michigan Film Office for Ransom Gillis House project in Detroit

By Wendell Bryant/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT, MI (Tell Us Det) - An extensive renovation of a historic Detroit mansion will be broadcast in prime time in November to a nationally televised audience as an eight-part, yet to be titled HGTV series. The project produced by New York-based Chasing Light Entertainment is eligible to receive a $211,031 incentive from the Michigan Film Office.


The Ransom Gillis House brought to Detroit the Venetian Gothic style, made popular by John Ruskin's book The Stones of Venice. The centerpiece of the structure was the turret situated in the front left corner, the circumference of which was accented by five rows of tiles of simple geometric designs in hues of bright blue, red, yellow, and brown.  (Photos by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)


Filming began last month of the room-by-room renovation of the historic Ransom Gillis House in the city’s Brush Park, a residential district several blocks north of Ford Field and Comerica Park. The production company estimates spending $844,125 during the production in Detroit while hiring 22 workers, including 12 Michigan residents, which equate to two full-time positions.

The Ransom Gillis House was built at a cost of $12,000 for Ransom Gillis, a wholesale dry goods merchant. The property was sold by Gillis in 1880. The house and property passed though the hands of four different upper-income families between 1876 and 1919. After this time the main structure was converted into a rooming house, along with most of the other structures on the street.


This spring Nicole Curtis from the HGTV series, Rehab Addict, announced that she will be restoring the home on the TV show. Curtis spoke of the project saying "The energy here [Detroit] is unreal and it's unmatched anywhere else. For doing what I do, to be in a city that's excited for us to be here and not fighting us? It's a huge thing." Work on the house began this summer. Curtis will lead the renovation of the 1876-built mansion for an eight-part HGTV series to be sponsored by Quicken Loans, the online mortgage lender. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

This renovation marks the start of construction for the Brush Park Development Company (BDPC) development which was announced in May 2015 by the City of Detroit.

Utilizing the help of community volunteers, the joint Quicken Loans and HGTV project will restore the Ransom Gillis home to its former glory. The series will also feature Quicken Loans President Jay Farner in several episodes.


Quicken Loans President Jay Farner describe to the media what the plans are for restoring the Ransom Gillis House during a summer press conference. The series will also feature Farner in several episodes. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

“Brush Park is a vital neighborhood that is about to see a significant investment in revitalization and new construction. Once completed, this area is going to become an anchor for the growth of Detroit’s neighborhoods,” Farner said. “Communities are built brick-by-brick, through effort and passion. I am proud to say we have all of that here with this community, Nicole and this amazing home.”

“The show shines a timely spotlight on the exciting residential developments in Detroit,” said Jenell Leonard, commissioner of the Michigan Film Office. “We’re looking forward to the positive impact of show, and especially supporting a project that highlights the revitalization of the state’s largest urban area.”

Earlier this summer, legislation was signed into law eliminating the program for film and digital media incentives. Incentive agreements for these two films were approved before this legislation took effect.

Any film or digital media project approved and issued a fully executed agreement prior to the signing of the legislation will be administered in accordance with the law. Michigan Film Office is no longer accepting applications for projects seeking incentives.

Michigan Film Office was established in 1979. The office assists and attracts production companies and promotes the growth of Michigan’s film, television and digital media production industries. For more information, please visit Michigan Film Office.