Live Like a Rock Star

Metro Detroit has a rich musical history. Think Motown, Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Eminem, Ted Nugent, Mitch Ryder and The White Stripes. My non-hipster self has to confess that though I have heard of The White Stripes, I know more about them from reading about them in the papers than I do from listening to their music. My radio is generally tuned into NPR and I don’t own an IPOD. The horror. I must be old.

Anyway, Detroit born Jack White, who took his wife’s name when he married and then told the world she was his sister, has moved to Nashville. I offered Dmitry my last name when we married, but he politely declined. But that is another story too. Back to Jack…

Jack’s home in Detroit’s historic Indian Village neighborhood is now in need of a new owner. Could it be you?

The home was designed by C. Howard Crane, the architect responsible for the intriguing grandeur of The Fox Theatre, a National Historic Landmark. Crane was a renowned theater designer who designed 52 other theaters in Detroit alone (Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, The Bonstelle Theater), in addition to other significant theaters across the United States, like the August Wilson Theatre in New York City.

Jack White bought the home in 2002, and though the sales price is hidden in public records, the asking price then was $599,000. Today it is on the market for $930,000, according to information we pulled from the MLS. This makes it the 5th most expensive home on the market in the City of Detroit, where only 3 homes exceed the $1,000,000 price point. I think we can safely discern that Jack did a bit of work on the home during his ownership.

What could one expect from the historic home of a youthful rock star? Well, as you might have anticipated, Jack is looking for serious buyers only. In order to cross the threshold and peek inside, potential buyers must submit proof of financial where with all. So, I will give you a brief run-down, based on what we can discern from cruising around on the web. The web site for the home is probably the best place to send you for beautiful photos. While you are snooping around, take a look at:

• The Herring Hall Walk-In Safe. Certainly a convenient feature, even if you are not a rock star. It seems that the safe was put in by the original owner, a banker. Looks like he did not trust the bank vault.
• The delicious old cabinetry in the butler’s pantry
• The ‘white stripes’ on the basement bath tile. I’ve read that Jack’s favorite 3 colors are red, white and black, and he shows it off in his decor. For my personal taste, its a bit much in the library, so I am relieved somebody suggested the lovely color scheme they’ve got going in the sun room.
• That site provides a photographic first for me, after looking at thousands of on-line listings: pictures of the attic. Its unfinished, so I am not exactly sure why they are included.
• It’s got some of Detroit’s famous Pewabic Tile.
• The wrought iron gate with the home’s address is beautiful. And it looks like the driveway is gated for rock star privacy/security.

A couple of basics, before you call me to make your offer:

• 2005 taxes on the home were just under $20,000, so figure that into your monthly budget.
• In ’02 it was listed as a 5 bedroom, and now its being marketed as a 4 bedroom. My guess is that Jack converted a bedroom for that nice new dressing room.
• You would be buying a home that sits on slightly over an acre, has 4 full baths, steam heat and a detached garage.

If it sounds like this might be the one for you, call me at 248.961.0801. We would be delighted to be of service.

[tags]jack white, jack white’s house[/tags]

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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