For much of the next year, we'll be following the renovation of a house built in 1930 in the Grandmont neighborhood. Josh Engle of JD Engle Construction recently bought the house, which had been left alone for 20-30 years. Its owners went through a divorce and kept the house, but didn't live in it. The heat was left on and the bills were paid, and then all that stopped. Water infiltrated the roof and the house suffered massive water damage throughout. The original door had been kicked in, but all that was taken was a radiator. They're truly lucky with what remains.

JD Engle Construction has been featured in three seasons of Rehab Addict on HGTV. Nicole Curtis and her team had considered this Grandmont house and passed. Josh recently bought it from the Detroit Land Bank. Josh and his partner Rick Raleigh have gutted the house and are ready to begin renovation.

This is the only picture from before they gutted the house. The plaster walls were completely destroyed by water. Photo courtesy JD Engle Construction.

This house features much of its old charm. The bathrooms have original fixtures and tiling. The doors and windows have leaded glass. A grand staircase sits with its original railing and leads to a landing with a huge window. The kitchen looks like it went through a mid-century renovation. The third floor will be turned into a master suite with a sitting room/library. But perhaps most wonderful is the speakeasy in the basement.

In this speakeasy, a half-door separates the hallway from the coat check room. A window from the coat check through serves as a pass-through from the kitchen. The space has a large floor, perhaps meant for dancing, along with a fireplace.

Piles of wood sit throughout the house and if salvageable, will be used throughout the project.

The team has an ideal timeline for the end of summer to be finished with the project. We'll follow them throughout their renovation, including hardships they face, the process of restoration, the neighborhood, and the methods for original construction.