Back here at home, a sparkling spectacle in Hazel Park, turning heads, capturing hearts, and hopefully attracting a new owner. This dazzling home is adorned with more than 20,000 glittering glass bottles from all around the world.
Glenda Lewis (WXYZ News Anchor):
The shimmering structure has a fascinating history.
Simon Shaykhet:
And a bright future because it is up for sale.
Glenda Lewis:
Seven News Detroit reporter Peter Maxwell met up with the current owner to hear the story behind the brilliant Bottle House and get a look inside.
Peter Maxwell:
The Hazel Park Bottle House on West Elza Avenue in Hazel Park is made from over 20,000 glass bottles and has been catching the eyes of many over the years.
Carl Schiller:
What I love the most are these bottles all represent a moment in time.
Peter Maxwell:
The Hazel Park Bottle House was originally built in 1937 by Omar Reese, who worked at Dodge Main in Hamtramck. Every brick is covered in glass bottles from all over the world, including Germany, Scotland, and the United States. Homeowner, Carl Schiller, explains why Reese decided to build the way he did.
Carl Schiller:
There was a timber worker’s strike in the Upper Peninsula. There was a UAW strike in 1937. So he landed on concrete block as his building material and then got the idea to have light reflecting off glass, which he just took a fancy to.
Peter Maxwell:
Schiller bought the Bottle House in 2021, but behind the bottle studded exterior, the house needed to be stripped down to its studs.
Carl Schiller:
It was just a lost child. Maintenance was deferred. The roof had leaked, which caused a lot of internal problems.
Peter Maxwell:
Since then, the 1225 square foot house has been fully renovated and rebuilt with modern finishes like new floors, updated wiring, a redesigned kitchen and bath, and an updated bonus room, all while preserving touches of the original character and charm, especially in the basement.
Carl Schiller:
It was a labor of love for him, and it was a labor of love for us to take it to the next level and bring it into the next 90 years.
Peter Maxwell:
The Bottle House is on the market for $350,000 and Carl hopes the new owners love it as much as he has.
Carl Schiller:
It’s a great story and no one will miss it driving down the street.
Peter Maxwell:
In Hazel Park, Peter Maxwell, 7 News, Detroit.
Dave Rexroth (WXYZ News/Weather Anchor):
That’s pretty fun, huh?
Glenda Lewis:
Yeah. When the sun hits, I wonder what it looks like inside.
Dave Rexroth:
Yeah, so maybe next spring.
Simon Shaykhet:
Maybe sooner, hopefully.
Dave Rexroth:
Hopefully. Yeah.