Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Detroit mansion linked to Motown founder sells for $1.65 million after restoration
A century-old Detroit residence once owned by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. fetched $1.65 million in 2017, more than six times its purchase price a decade earlier. The landmark property underwent extensive restoration after being acquired for $250,000 in 2002.
LSN India ·
The Nels Michelson Mansion, a 10,500-square-foot residence built in 1916-17 at 918 W. Boston Boulevard, represents a significant chapter in Detroit's cultural and industrial heritage. Originally constructed for lumber businessman Nels Michelson, the property later became the home of Berry Gordy Jr., founder of the legendary Motown Records label, who purchased it in 1967 during a transformative period for the iconic music company.
The mansion changed ownership when Detroit attorney Cynthia F. Reaves acquired the property in 2002 for $250,000. Recognizing the historical and architectural significance of the deteriorating structure, Reaves embarked on a comprehensive restoration project to preserve the landmark and restore it to its former grandeur.
The painstaking renovation efforts proved worthwhile when the mansion sold in 2017 for $1.65 million, reflecting both the success of the restoration work and renewed appreciation for the property's cultural importance. The sale underscores the value of preserving Detroit's architectural and musical heritage, with the mansion now recognized as an important link to the city's storied past as both an industrial centre and birthplace of Motown, one of America's most influential record labels.