Doyle Homes

04/01/2026

April Showcase: Waterfront Views

Revisiting one of our favorite remodels from last year, we found more "Before" pictures that emphasize the transformation.

The kitchen, great room, and dining room were all originally in the walkout basement. The bedrooms were all on the main floor.

The new layout, designed by architect Mike Kirchner, brings the gathering spaces to the main floor and added a bedroom in the basement.

As you can see, the change is remarkable.

03/18/2026

02/18/2026

Spring Showcase Home: Howell, Michigan

As you step inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to the cedar beams that arc across the living and dining areas, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The floors, crafted from elegant white oak, provide a seamless flow throughout the space, enhancing the home’s natural beauty.

In the bathroom, a luxurious free-standing tub serves as a centerpiece, inviting relaxation and indulgence.

Thinking of building a custom home? We have experience and expertise you can trust. Reach out today to see how we can bring your ideas to life.

02/15/2026

Building a custom home is a complex process. We employ a diverse set of communication strategies to ensure that all parties involved are on the same page.

We use digital renderings, hand-drawn diagrams, and full-size floor layouts to ensure each part of our team knows the plan.

We utilize blue tape for communicating spots that need addressing, especially during our finishing stages, for anything from obvious areas to minuscule imperfections.

We also do a “blue tape walk” with customers during our final walkthrough a week before handing over the keys, highlighting any details out of place.

Written communication is supplemented with consistent in-person supervision and in-depth phone calls to ensure the plans are executed correctly.

Do you ever write notes for others with directions? What do they look like?

02/03/2026

Here at Doyle Homes we pride ourselves on building trust with our customers.

It is our goal and mission to make sure you have a smooth and seamless home building experience. We do right by every one, making sure our houses are built to the highest standards of craftsmanship and detail.

Our customers appreciate us, and that's why they recommend us! The majority of our business in the last three years has come from referrals or repeat customers. People see us as a builder they can rely on and recommend to their friends.

Come find out why! Let us make your journey to a new home special. Reach out today!

(517) 548-4774

01/22/2026

"The Pearl" Post 4/4:

Our family purchased the building in 2017, and after several years of hard work and renovation we completed our restoration of the Historic Pearl. The building now serves as a home for Keller Williams Reality as well as four residential tenants on the second story.

We hope you enjoyed this review of some Downtown Howell history!

For Context:

We are preparing a short history book about The Pearl Building renovation project we completed in Howell and thought we'd share our findings here too. Every week this month we'll be posting excerpts from our research.

The newspaper articles were taken from the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus digital archive.

The last four photos come courtesy of Richard Lim Photography

01/17/2026

"The Pearl" Post 3/4:

In 1964 the Pearl Building was purchased by Howell Auto Parts owner and future mayor of Howell James Young. The building would become the new location of Howell Auto parts, a staple of the downtown landmarks.

Operating as a successful business for over 50 years, Howell Auto Parts finally closed in 2016 as a part of a merger with Advance Auto Parts.

The building went up for sale, opening the door for the current owners of the building who we will discuss next week!

For Context:
We are preparing a short history book about The Pearl Building renovation project we completed in Howell and thought we'd share our findings here too. Every week this month we'll be posting excerpts from our research. The newspaper articles and ads were taken from the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus digital archive, and the photos were provided by the Howell Carnegie Public Library archive.

01/15/2026

We always get the question, "Do you build in the winter?"

You bet we do!

Any time of year is a great time to start a custom home. We're out there in the cold to make sure your home is built with care.

Reach out today to found out how you can make your dream home a reality.

01/14/2026

01/08/2026

"The Pearl" Post 2/4:

In 1935 the "Locey Recreation Building" caught fire, totally destroying the second floor and rendering the rest of the building unusable. The fire started late at night and was found by the Nightwatchman. Fortunately no one was injured in the blaze.

St. Joseph Catholic Church was already in talks to buy the building from the Locey family when the fire occurred, and after major renovations, the sale was completed later that year. The building re-opened as St. Joseph Hall, a multi-purpose community space that played host festivals and other church events.

In the 1940s, the building became the host of the Howell National Guard Armory. The National Guard stored weapons, ran drills, and hosted community events in the building throughout the 1950s until there was another change of ownership in 1964.

Tune in next week to find out what happens next!

For Context:
We are preparing a short history book about The Pearl Building renovation project we completed in Howell and thought we'd share our findings here too. Every week this month we'll be posting excerpts from our research. Articles were taken from the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus digital archive, and the last two pages of photos were taken from the Howell Carnegie Public Library archive.

01/01/2026

We've been busy at the Howell Carnegie District library doing research on The Pearl Building we renovated in Downtown Howell a few years back. There's a lot to be learned from old newspapers!

We are preparing a short history book about The Pearl Building and figured we'd share our findings here too. Every week this month we'll be posting excerpts from our research. Articles were taken from the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus digital archive.

Pearl Post 1/4:

The "Pearl Building" was originally built in 1928 next to the Howell Theater as "Locey's Recreation," featuring billiards tables, bowling lanes, and hosting boxing events. In 1931 they cleared out the upper floor to transform it into a large ballroom for formal events.

Things went well until 1935, when a big change occurred. Tune in next week to find out what happened!