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# Work Begins At Historic James Burgess Book Mansion, Details Are A Mystery
- URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/work-begins-historic-book-burgess-mansion-details-mystery/
- Published: 2017-09-07T13:45:38.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-25T22:31:18.000Z
- Author: Jer Staes
- Tags: Book Mansion, Indian Village, #wordpress, #Import 2024-02-25 18:12, #admin

A mansion built in 1911 may be getting a new lease on life, but details are “under cover,” when we asked on site.

The area near West and Indian Villages on the east side has seen a lot of investment as of late.

The James Burgess Book Mansion seems to have at least extensive exterior restoration work underway. Here are some photos.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1491-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1491.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

James Burgess Book was one of the Book brothers that had a grand vision for Washington Boulevard to be a shopping destination that rivaled Fifth Avenue in New York, **[according Detroit1701](http://detroit1701.org/Burgess%20Book%20Home.html?ref=dailydetroit.com)**.

This house was design by Louis Kamper – the same person who is did the **[iconic Book Tower currently undergoing renovation.](http://www.dailydetroit.com/2017/07/03/8-pictures-detroits-beautiful-book-tower-coming-back-life/)**

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1487-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1487.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1480-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1480.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

When we spotted work being done on this beauty and stopped to check it out, were directed to the owner, who property records list as Deirdre Golden.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1483-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1483.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

She said that she can’t share any details at this time and they’re “under cover with the DIA.”

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1482-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1482.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Now this answer with one detail – if not a **[red herring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red%5Fherring?ref=dailydetroit.com)** – raises a lot of interesting possibilities.

The Detroit Institute of Arts does indeed conserve some important items around town, like the Joe Louis Fist.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1501-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1501.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

If they’re actually involved in this project at 8625 East Jefferon, this has the potential to be something amazing.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1484-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1484.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

There have been some false starts with renovating this building over the years, but maybe now is the time this one comes back to life.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG_1496-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/IMG%5F1496.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

We’ll update this post if we hear anything more concrete. But it’s good to see this pretty building some love.