Living in Northville

Now Open: New Enclosed Walkway on Main St in Northville Provides Downtown Business Patrons Easier Access to Parking

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

20130510_135634_resized_1Now open, the Comerica Community Connection project transformed a 19th century building into a downtown arcade that links Main St. businesses with an existing parking area. The façade of the building was restored to historic preservation standards while the interior possesses an outdoor open-air feel thanks to the windows above and the reclaimed brick wall. I can’t imagine a project like this was easy to bring to life so congratulations to those involved. I hope you are planning to do something with all that valuable wall space next…comerica

Sun and Snow Ski Rental in Downtown Plymouth

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

skisMost people think of restaurants, home decor, ice sculptures, and outdoor festivals when they think of Plymouth.  But there is also a strong retail sector in the downtown including one of the areas finest sports shops.

Sun & Snow opened nearly three years ago and has since expanded its store (taking over the bakery next door). Ski equipment rentals are one huge benefit that area residents can take advantage of lessening the logistics of resort rentals.  If you’ve ever had to outfit a family with ski equipment at a resort, you know the process can be demanding and patience testing to say the least.  With renting in advance, its one less thing you need to worry about when you arrive!  We’ve rented equipment here before and have been very happy with quality and friendliness of service. In addition, Sun & Snow is locally (Plymouth) owned and operated and you’ll find them at the corner of Main St. and Ann Arbor Trail right across from Starbucks and Panera Bread.

The Garage Grill and Fuel Bar Now Open in Downtown Northville

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

garage

With a fresh coat of paint and much, much more, the work on Downtown Northville’s Garage Grill and Fuel Bar is now complete and dinner guests are enjoying the completely updated former fuel station and Chrysler dealership. Renovating this brown field site and former gas station in the heart of downtown has required some effort but the results are beginning to show.  You can learn more about the history and design of this new restaurant at their website. Converting old gas stations into dining establishments is garage interiorsomething we love in the Metro Detroit area with so much automotive history around us.  Consider the recent re-opening of the Vinsetta Garage as a restaurant in Royal Oak.  This place is now a destination for automotive enthusiasts – especially during Dream Cruise weekend. To learn more about the repurposing and renovation of Northville’s Garage Grill and Fuel Bar, here is a great video showing the work in progress from earlier this year.  Garage Grill and Fuel Bar is located at 202 W. Main St in Downtown Northville. The menus is extensive featuring sandwiches, pizzas, seafood, and beef. There is usually a wait so you should call ahead (248-924-3367).  We really enjoyed our dinner there – the food, service, and setting were all excellent! What a great example of honoring the past while repurposing for the present.

New Enclosed Walkway on Main St in Northville Provides Downtown Business Patrons Easier Access to Parking

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

One issue that many downtown Northville and Plymouth businesses face is the availability of nearby parking for customers and employees. Although it’s usually possible to find on-street parking during the daytime, evenings can be difficult. And as new businesses continue to open or expand with sidewalk cafes, etc., the demands on available parking continue to increase.

In downtown Northville, there is a new walkway under construction that provides better access to Main St. from a large surface parking lot.  Due to open in several weeks, the covered walkway will be a welcome convenience to all those that frequent downtown Northville’s shops and restaurants.

2012 Plymouth Rotary Chicken Barbeque ( a.k.a. Plymouth Fall Festival ) – Sept 7-9, 2012!

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

It’s that time of year again!  The smell of barbeque smoke drifts through downtown Plymouth as the annual Fall Festival approaches.  Sept 7-9, 2012 will be non-stop pancakes, spaghetti, and barbeque chicken (Rotary Chicken Barbeque) along with fair rides, games, car show, and attractions for everyone.Plymouth Fall Festival

Chicken Barbeque Fall Festival Plymouth 2009

Downtown streets are closed off and for one weekend, downtown Plymouth is transformed into a local fair with all the pre-requisites.  I have to admit, this is one of my personal favorites of all the festivals that happen in Plymouth – good fun for the whole family and another great reason the area continues to thrive.  For more information, go to: http://www.plymouthfallfestival.com/IMG00044-20090912-1254

Northville Township Board of Trustees Approve $82M Seven Mile Master Plan for the Old Northville Hospital Site

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

The old Northville Hospital facility and the surrounding 350 acres of land finally have an approved plan to develop the site. Located along the south side of 7 Mile road just west of Haggerty, the abandonned buildings and empty spaces have been an attraction for urban explorers or in this case – suburban explorers.  The vision going forward includes everything from mountain bike trails and sledding hills to an energy park and aquatic center.  The plan may take decades to realize but promises to re-purpose some prime real estate in such a way that will increase property values in the area for the long term.  For more informatin about the the plan, click here.

“There’s a Significant Uptick in Activity” According to Bob Bake, Associate Broker – Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

In a recent interview published by the Northville Record Newspaper, Bob Bake, Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel, comments: “There’s a significant uptick in activity, especially for homes that are in move-in ready condition in appealing areas.” 

To read the full article published by the Northville Record, click here.

AAUW Northville-Novi Home Tour: September 24th, 2011

| Carrie

The American Association of University Women is holding their 2011 Northville and Novi Home Tour the weekend of September 24th, 2011. The self-guided tour includes 5 Northville area homes and costs $20.00 per person.  The beautiful downtown Northville home pictured above is just one example of what you will see on this home tour. Tickets are available at: Gardenviews, Pear-aphernalia, Starring the Gallery, Northville Chamber of Commerce or at the house day of event. To charge tickets please call 734-420-0206.

For more information about this wonderful opportunity, click here.

Old Houses are like Old Cars – To Be Preserved for the Next Generation

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

There are so many classic homes around Plymouth and Northville that you can lose yourself in the people, history, and stories that accompany each one. Some of these homes have been lovingly maintained and/or restored, others have been expanded and updated, while others are in need of maintenance and care.  Whatever their condition, these homes from modest to stately, are part of the community fabric representing  the founding families who built them, to the generations of owners who have lived in them since. They are like old cars.  Many are from the 1920’s, some from the 1940’s and more from the 1950’s – just like at the recent Concours d’Elegance in Plymouth.  Here’s a recent video about a Plymouth resident and her Packard. The driving scenes were filmed around downtown Plymouth’s Hough Park neighborhood – the perfect place for a slow drive down tree-lined streets graced with classic homes. Click on the above for a wonderful video of a long time Plymouth resident, car enthusiast, and philanthropist Margaret Dunning and her Packard.

Mill Race Village in Northville, Michigan Offers a Residents and Visitors a Window Back in Time

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

The City of Northville, Michigan offers residents and visitors a charming, relaxing return to small town America with its shops, restaurants, and events. Mill Race Village in downtown Northville located off Griswold Street was created in 1972 by the Northville Historical Society. The village showcase homes and buildings that were common to the area prior to 1900. Once the site of a grist mill, the village consists of an inn, blacksmith shop, school, church, gazebo, rustic wooden bridge, Interurban station and several homes reminiscent of an era gone by. For more information go to Mill Race Village, please visit their website at:

2011 Concours d’Elegance of America (formerly known as the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance) – The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan on Sunday, July 31st

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

The 2011 Concours d’Elegance of America (formerly known as the Meadowbrook Conours d’Elegance) was held at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan on Sunday, July 31st. Previously held at Meadowbrook Hall on the grounds of Oakland University, the new site in Plymouth made this opportunity to view some of the world’s finest automobiles more convenient then ever. It also provided the perfect setting for showcasing the invited world-class vehicles. Along with the Detroit Auto Show and the Eyes on Design show in Grosse Pointe Shores, the Concours d’Elegance of America is an absolute must for any automotive history and design enthusiast.  For information, you can visit the official website at http://www.concoursusa.org/

Northville Township Real Estate Prices Show Slight Improvement 2011 Year to Date vs. the Same Period Last Year

| BAKE REAL ESTATE

There has been plenty of news lately regarding real estate prices across the country. But as we all know, nothing is more local than Real Estate.  Prices vary considerably across the metro Detroit area and it’s only when you examine local data closely, can you get an accurate picture of what’s really happening in your market. In Northville Township, an affluent western suburb of Detroit, prices have remained strong having shown a slight increase year to date vs. the same period last year. At the same time, the number of homes available for sale has decreased approx 15% and this lack of inventory has driven up pricing and reduced the number of days on market. Homes that offer great location, updates, and amenities are commanding very strong prices and selling very quickly. Combined with fewer distressed sales and an improving economy, we have seen more buyers relocating to the area vs. 2 years ago when many sellers were relocating out of State. Even with the overall market trends mentioned above, home pricing is unique to each particular home and seller circumstance. You’ll find the data summarized in the chart below.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the Northville Township Real Estate Market.  I can be reached at 734-272-8375 or patrick@bobbake.com.