Ypsilanti’s 1861 Gilbert Mansion, once abandoned and on the brink of demolition, has been reborn as a seven‑unit apartment complex after a decade‑long restoration by local builders. The building’s Second Empire façade, complete with twin towers and a mansard roof, was painstakingly returned to its original grandeur. Inside, the original hardwood floors and a Pewabic tile fireplace survived the decades of neglect and were carefully preserved. The project, completed in 1987, restored the historic character while making the house functional for modern living.
In the early 1980s, the city of Ypsilanti tried seven years to find a buyer, but demolition loomed as the mansion fell into disrepair. The building’s windows were boarded, the brickwork cracked, and the original front door was missing. City officials eventually turned to the White brothers, whose track record of restoring historic properties made them a logical choice.
The restoration work began in 1986 and spanned 14 months. The teams stripped the interior to its studs, reinstalled original floorboards, and rebuilt the mechanical systems. They left the slate roof untouched, as its condition was surprisingly good, and restored the exterior brickwork and ornamental details. The result is a cohesive blend of historic charm and modern living space.
The property is now listed for $1.13 million, a figure that reflects its prime location in Ypsilanti’s historic district and its status as a fully occupied, income‑producing asset. All seven apartments are currently rented to professionals working in the nearby Depot Town area.
The Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation praised the project as an exemplary model of adaptive reuse. Auctioneers expect the sale to close within the next month, pending due diligence and financing.