The Kneeshaw House (Back Yard)

The Patios
There are two red slate patios. Patio space is preferred over grass, since there is less to mow. I am sure the dogs would "beg-to-differ" with me.

One of the patios is full shade...
















and the other is full-sun...
















...something for everyone.

Landscaping
The landscaping is wicked gorgeous and a pain in the a** to take care of. My favorite is the Japanese maple. Karin (my sister) told me it is probably worth quite a bit. It has since been renamed "the retirement tree".
















The Garage
This is the back of the detatched two car garage. You can't tell but there is also a carport that allows two cars. The garage and carport face an extra-spacious and clean alley. We neighbors know each other from our backyards and alley.

The Kneeshaw House (Second Floor)

Master Bedroom
The master bedroom has a set of bay windows that contain leaded glass with geometric patterns. This room is connected to a dressing area, walk-in closet and full bath.
















Here is the dressing area along with the full bathroom and walk-in closet. The dressing area window seat is a favorite of all the dogs and cats.






















Second Bedroom
This room is used as an office and as a guest room. The cats use the futon for napping. The closet was added during the GM rehab and is odd shaped.

















Bathroom
This full bathroom is decorated with Pewabic Pottery. The mirror is trimmed with an egg and dart pattern, which can be found on most of the doors in the house.






















Third Bedroom
The previous owners used this for their office. It works better for sleeping. This was one of the first rooms that got painted and decorated. The closet was added during the GM rehab in 1980 and is quite small. It is always quite warm because the chimney passes through this room.

The Kneeshaw House (First Floor)

Living Room
When moving in, it became apparent the orignal living room (now the library) could not hold the living room furniture. I am an out-of-the-box thinker (sometimes too out-of-the-box) and so the dining room became the living room. You can't see it in this picture, but there is ornamental wet plaster on the ceiling, including four faces (one in each corner).

















Dining Room
This room was originally called the parlor. It is directly across from the current living room, separated by the hallway. The chandelier is from the period the house was built, including the globes.

















Library
Separated by pocket doors from the dining room is the Library. It is a great room for reading and napping. The light fixture is not original, but fits in with the other lighting on the first floor.

















Kitchen
The kitchen, pantry and 1/2 bath are the most updated rooms in the house. The bathroom is the best kept secret in the house with it's two story high ceiling (converted from a servant staircase).

The Kneeshaw House

The Kneeshaw House is located in the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan. Building of the home began in 1905 and was completed in 1907. For 75 years the home was owned by the Kneeshaw family. Kneeshaw likely moved to the area to be closer to his job at the Grand Trunk Railway.





















The Kneeshaw House is celebrating it's centennial this year (2007).

Style Notes - The American Foursquare
This is a high style example of an American Foursquare built during an eclectic period (1900 - 1920) of American arcitecture. Albeit short-lived, the Foursquare is one of the few indigenous American styles.

There are many high styled Queen Anne influences to this home including bay windows, wrap-around porch, front facing gables, and geometric patterned windows with leaded casements.

Additional Features

• Approximately 2,350 square feet of living space
• Master bedroom with dressing area with walk-in closet and private full bath
• Two additional bedrooms
  
• Full guest bath
• Large 1st and 2nd floor hallway
• Library with gas fireplace
  
• Dining room
  
• Living room
  
• Updated Kitchen with adjacent 1/2 bathroom and pantry
  
• Hardwood floors throughout
  
• Antique chandilers
• Original woodwork, ornamental wet plaster, and leaded glass windows
  
• Full basement with laundry area
  
• Updated electric and copper plumbing
  
• New water heater and furnace
• Central air conditioning
  
• Professionally landscaped yard with sprinkler system, privacy fence and rare red-slate patios
  
• Two car detatched garage with electronic door opener
• Central security alarm and fire system
  
• Wrap around porch with swing

The New Center Area

The Location
New Center is located three miles north of downtown Detroit. Nestled between three major expressways (I-94, the Lodge, and Chrysler), the area is a convenient destination for commuters. There are approximately 23,000 people living and working in the New Center.

The majority of homes in the neighborhood were built between 1890 and 1920. Most of these homes represent the eclectic movement in architectural style that occurred at the turn of the century. This movement included Queen Anne Revival, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival and Composite classifications, as well as the American Foursquare. These homes were built on subdivided farmlands which, at the time, were considered to be the outskirts of the city.















The Streets
The streets of New Center were laid out in a gridiron pattern and originally paved with cedar, except for the brick paved Virginia Park. Many of the streets were named after prominent Detroiters of the time:

• Seward Avenue: William H. Seward - Statesman
  
• Pallister Road: Thomas Pallister - Landowner
  
• Lothrop Avenue: George Van Ness Lothrop - City Attorney General
• W Bethune - 1881 - Mrs. Mary Bethune Duffield - Landowner

Other neighborhood streets include Delaware Street, Virginia Park, Third, Second, West Grand Boulevard, and the Lodge Service Drive.

Considered to be the original edge-city, New Center deed restrictions required a minimum construction cost of $5,000 and a standard set back from the street giving a uniform look throughout the neighborhood. In addition, the homes located on the first block off Woodward Avenue were generally more expensive making it a much desired and prestigious neighborhood.

New Center Commons
In the 1980s, as urban decay took a toll on the neighborhood , GM invested millions of dollars redeveloping and restoring many of the houses northwest of its headquarters, in an area now called New Center Commons. Some of the more prominent features include a brick walkway, spacious alleys, historic lighting, and numerous green spaces.
















Today, New Center is a vibrant community of businesses and residential communities. It is home to the Comerica Cityfest (formally known as Tastefest), a five day food and entertainment festival that is held during the 4th of July weekend. It is also home to the Detroit Childrens Museum, The Fisher Building, Cadalliac Place (formally GM World Headquarters), Henry Ford Hospital, and the Motown Museum.