In 1982, Mark IV Construction Company completed the first phase of the Corn Hill Commons – the City’s first comprehensive housing development in 30 years. Land left vacant after urban renewal was used to build the current townhomes. Hundreds more would be constructed on the remaining 12 acres. As of 2022, the North Star Commons riverfront project presents these residences with a new view of the Genesee River.
The original owners of this townhouse, the Gillespies, were themselves notable Corn Hill residents. Marilyn, a talented artist whose work was displayed at the Memorial Art Gallery, designed several early Gazette covers. Frank was a historian for Mt. Hope Cemetery and took the photos for the book Mt. Hope: America’s First Municipal Victorian Cemetery.
The current homeowner purchased the property in 2021 while looking for a townhouse in a walkable neighborhood close to downtown and nightlife. He is enjoying the extensive renovations made in 2020, which created a modern open floor plan downstairs and an oversized master bath upstairs. A unique feature of this home is its three outdoor spaces: a large front patio, a second-story deck off the kitchen, and a rear entrance deck. The downstairs décor features paintings by local artists and several signed prints. The “musical” piece is by Sydney Carter, a first-place winner at the 2022 Corn Hill Arts Festival. Other wall hangings are also festival purchases—a sign of a true Corn Hill resident!
