Is it 2008 or 1880?
If the first building you see in Lake Orion is on the northeast corner of Flint and Lapeer Streets, you might not be sure.
Of course, the cars and paved roads might give it away, but Gene Carlson has done everything he could to make the building historically accurate.
Two years after purchasing the building, Carlson says the restoration project is essentially complete.
‘I’ve done so many things, I don’t know if I can remember them all,? he said.
One of the oldest buildings in downtown, Carlson said it was difficult to find photos of the exterior.
‘We couldn’t tell exactly what it looked like,? he said, adding he knew there were large windows and a porch in the original construction, but that was about it.
Carlson contacted the county design team, which offers free help to those doing historic design restorations.
Eventually, they uncovered paint chips revealing the original yellow color from around 1880. Carlson said an old 1878 calendar they found in the walls helped in figuring the construction timeline.
In addition to replacing the vinyl siding, Carlson also oversaw interior renovations.
His office, The Valkyrie Group, occupies some of the back area of the building, while Clip Away and the new Cookie Delites have Flint Street frontage.
The cookie shop is located in an addition to the original building, which came along some 70-80 years ago and was previously used as a one-bedroom apartment.
‘I thought it would make a better retail or office because of the Flint frontage,? Carlson noted.
The building was originally a single-family home, but became a doctor’s office sometime in the 1930s or 40s.
According to Carlson, a country doctor sold it to another doctor, who sold it to a dentist and, eventually, a hair salon and spa moved in.
In the real estate investments business, Carlson said he’s always prepared to put in more work than he bargains for, and this building was no different.
He added, however, that he was grateful to get some matching-grant money from the Downtown Development Authority to help with the exterior work.
‘There is grant money available, but there haven’t been a lot of takers for it,? Carlson said.
He also thanked F. Lax Construction Company, which did most of the renovation work.
Carlson said he may look for another project in the area, and the Valkyrie Group can be reached at (248)933-3509 if anyone has a lead.
In the meantime, he’s glad to have this project finished.
‘It’s nice to have it done,? he said. ‘It was a lot of work.?