This newly renovated downtown Howell building was once a rec center
HOWELL — A 1920s building in downtown Howell, known as "The Pearl," has a history of ups and downs. In recent years, a husband-and-wife team took on major renovations; and now, the structure has entered a new chapter.
The building was originally Locey's Recreation, opened by Vern Locey in September 1928. It had a billiards hall and four-lane bowling alley on the main level; a skating rink, dance hall, and convention hall on the second floor; and a gymnasium for boxing and wrestling in the basement, according to an Aug. 29, 1928, article in the Livingston Republican.
But tragedy struck when fire broke out around 4 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 1935.
"Fire of undetermined origin destroyed practically all but the walls of the Locey Recreation building on E. Grand River," read a Feb. 20, 1935, article in the Livingston County Republican-Press. "Heroic and well-planned work by the fire department confined the loss to the Locey building alone."
The space was later used by St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Howell Armory. Howell Auto Parts operated there for more than 50 years before closing in 2016.
Colleen and Jeff Doyle, owners of Doyle Homes, saw value in giving the building at 309 E. Grand River Ave. new life. They renovated the space to include two storefronts on the first floor, which they leased to KW Living-Keller Williams Realty, then built out four apartments on the second floor and installed a rooftop deck.
"I think it’s kind of a dream come true for us," said Jeff Doyle, who moved with his wife into one of the apartments.
They were recently honored by Howell Main Street Inc. with an award for rehabbing the building.
"We invested a ton of money in the community, and it’s great to get some feedback that the community likes it," Doyle said. "It was very satisfying."
Dominic Cormer, owner of KW Realty Living, said they also house their title company, Living Title Agency, there. They're in the process of installing a new mortgage office.
"From the very beginning, walking through it with Jeff before any renovations started, our combined vision for what this real estate office would look like and feel like, it's turned out even better than originally planned," Cormer said.
The couple worked with officials to secure a brownfield redevelopment tax credit to offset environmental costs, bringing the building — which officials had declared "functionally obsolete" — back to usable condition.
Doyle said the renovation wouldn't have been possible without support from the city, as well as a $530,000 grant through the Michigan Communities Revitalization Program. Facade work was supported by a $20,000 grant from Howell Main Street, Inc.
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"I think probably the biggest challenge was, after the fire in 1935, they never replaced the second floor. They put a small mezzanine level on each end of it," Doyle said.
"As we tore off plaster and all these other things ... the new floor was installed almost precisely where the original second floor was (evidenced by burn marks on the wall). I think one of the biggest surprises was, when we stripped the plaster off, there was that beautiful brick under there."
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: The Pearl in downtown Howell was once Locey's Recreation
