About OAKBROOK
THE BEST KEPT SECRET
OAKBROOK CONDOMINIUMS AND OAKBROOK VILLAS BEGAN CONSTRUCTION IN 1990 ON SOME OF THE LAST "FARMLAND" IN THE CITY. TUCKED BESIDE CRANBROOK PARK, ITSELF BORDERED BY WOODS AND MILL CREEK, OAKBROOK MAINTAINS A UNIQUE QUIETNESS AND SHELTERED LIVING. HERE EASY PATHS, PLAYGROUNDS, TENNIS COURTS BELIE THE PROXIMITY OF URBAN SHOPPING, DINING, THE ARTS
AND FIRST-CLASS SPORTS -- ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE, BUS LINES AND EASY DRIVING.
THE OAKBROOK STORY
Reed O. Dingman (1906–1985)
History
This area was originally farmland. It was acquired over many years by a local surgeon, Reed O. Dingman, M.D., D.D.S., a distinguished plastic surgeon who is credited with founding the first plastic surgery section in the UM Department of Surgery in 1964. In 1977 he decided to develop the land and asked the city to zone it. The city zoned the bulk of the property as residential, saving a portion for parkland and also an area for other development. Cranbrook Towers, on the corner of Eisenhower and Northbrook, now stands on this particular donated parcel, as well as several other complexes. Cranbrook Park is situated to the north of the complex and hosts a playground, tennis courts, basketball hoops, walking and running paths, and a patch of woods with walking trails.
The portion of property available for single family homes was acquired by Guenther Building Company, who sought permits to build the Oakbrook Condominiums complex (the adjoining sister association to the west of the Villas), along with a clubhouse and pool. This initial undertaking, started in 1990, included 48 attached units, which was later expanded to 54.
SITE CONDOS: THE VILLAS
Following the completion of the attached condominiums, Guenther altered plans for the remaining complex, instead producing 71 unattached site condos. Each section has its own association and conducts its business separately, although the two associations do work cooperatively to fund and manage their shared resources—the clubhouse and the pool.
Oakbrook Villas Condominiums Association was born on June 25, 1993, when Guenther Building Co. filed the first amendment to the Master Deed of Oakbrook Condominiums. This residential condominium project was filed under Michigan Condominium Act 59.
The first home of phase II was finished in late 1993 and the next three in early spring of 1994. Those first homes are located on the eastern curve of Colin Circle. Phase III, which started in 1995, consisted of lots 92 thru 125 and included all of Ryan Road. All units were completed by the spring of 1997.
STREET NAMES
Oakbrook Villas street names have their own history. Bob Guenther, the president of Guenther Building, named Colin Circle and Ryan Road after his two grandsons. He named Sumark after his friend and attorney Mark Griffin, and Mark’s wife Sue. Mark and Sue built and occupied the home on the corner at 428 Colin Circle until 2010.
The community of Oakbrook Villas is one of the best-kept secrets in Ann Arbor. Although located in the heart of practically everything one needs to enjoy a city as diverse as Ann Arbor, it is quiet and private within its boundaries.
The Oakbrook is unusually stable with many of its residents first-owners, and home sales within the complex are rare. Pride of ownership is evident everywhere. The Association works diligently to keep up standards and to maintain the community aesthetics.
Credit for this fine summary history goes to the Oakbrook Villas Website, from which it was copied. For the fuller story and more information on Dr. Reed Dingmand go to: WWW.OAKBROOKVILLAS.COM
