Location
Northville, MI
Original Construction
1860’s
Completion Date
1999

A small but growing community, Northville, Michigan, has a traditional downtown flanked by a charming historic neighborhood. For over 25 years, the city’s Historic District Commission (HDC) has been committed to preserving the architectural character of its National Historic District, much of which dates to the 1860’s. Northville’s growing popularity as a residential community serving the Detroit Metropolitan area has brought development pressures that could affect the traditional character of the city. In order to protect the historic neighborhoods, which provide the charm that attracts residents, the city needed a set of formal guidelines for use by the HDC and the citizens of Northville to guide development within the historic district.

Architects Four, parent company to HopkinsBurns Design Studio, developed Northville’s Historic District Design Standards with a consistent set of guidelines against which the city can review proposed changes to existing buildings and new development. The standards also help educate commissioners and citizens in the basics of historic preservation, historic styles found in the community, maintenance of materials, and building codes. In addition, the standards lead users through the city’s regulatory process regarding historic properties and provides user-friendly examples illustrating recommended design practices