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Partially-pink 'Picasso' house draws mixed reviews in downtown Plymouth

Ed Wright
This house at 471 Ann Arbor Trail in downtown Plymouth is painted Pepto Bismol pink.

Theories are running rampant in Plymouth over why the owner of the building at 471 W. Ann Arbor Trail painted the lower two-thirds of the structure bright pink (with black polka-dots) and scribbled "Picasso Was Here" on a front-yard sign.

Is it a tribute to the iconic Spanish artist who passed away in 1973?

Is it an ode to John Mellencamp of "Pink Houses" fame or maybe the singer Pink?

Did the painter just run out of paint?

Or could it be a silent protest against the City of Plymouth because of a zoning ordinance request that has stretched over a year?

Only the owner knows for sure and he politely declined to comment on the issue when asked by a Hometown Life reporter.

This much is certain: The range of opinions offered by Plymouth residents and officials regarding the eye-popping piece of real estate is wider than Kellogg Park.

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"I don't really mind it," said Laura Molnar, whose Second Time Around Consignment Shop sits next door to the eye-catching structure. "It's actually quite unique. It definitely screams Picasso.

"I'm originally from Detroit, where some people use their homes as pieces of art. I think it's lovely. Plus, it goes hand-in-hand with my store."

The front door of Molnar's shop is — what else? — bright pink.

"I'll have people walk in my shop and ask what's going on with the pink house," she added. "I tell them I have no idea, but please look around while you're in here."

A couple visiting Plymouth from Virginia for a few days earlier this week said they assumed the building was an in-the-works art studio.

When asked about his thoughts on the hard-to-miss house, Plymouth Mayor Oliver Wolcott said: "it's all a matter of taste."

"It's odd and interesting at the same time," said Wolcott, who recalled reading about a similar situation out-of-state that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court after neighbors complained about a homeowner's choice of house paint.

The front porch of Plymouth's pink house is cordoned off with yellow caution tape.

"I'm sure some people love it and others don't, but there's nothing the city can do about it unless there is a personal threat of some sort written on the building."

John Buzuvis, Plymouth's community development director, said the house will remain whatever color the owner wants it.

"We've had calls from residents asking us if there is anything we can do about it," Buzuvis admitted. "But actually there is not. It's kind of a freedom of speech-type situation. The only way the city would have a say over the color is if the house was in the historic district, but it's just outside of that."

The owner first filed for a special land use permit from the city in summer 2018. The owner's plan, according to Buzuvis, is to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a new two-story building that will serve as both a residence and business office for the owner.

"The process is complicated and takes longer than a lot of people think it should," Buzuvis said. "But there are zoning ordinances the city is required to follow in situations like this.

"The process is moving along and there are just a couple more steps the owner must take. Why he decided to paint it pink, I have no idea."

Contact reporter Ed Wright at or 517-375-1113.