Think of the echoes of laughter. Imagine the weight of history within these walls. We are standing before the Manoogian Mansion the official residence of Detroit’s mayor.
The Manoogian Mansion stands as a testament to Detroit’s history. It is located at 9240 Dwight Street. The mansion sits in the Berry Subdivision Historic District. It backs up to the Detroit River.
Built in 1928 the Manoogian Mansion cost $300000. The original owner lost it during the Great Depression. It sat vacant until Alex Manoogian purchased it at auction in 1939. He bought it for a mere $25000.
Alex Manoogian was the founder of the Masco company. In 1966 Manoogian donated the mansion to the City of Detroit. Jerry Cavanagh and his family were the first mayoral family to live here.
The Manoogian Mansion is 4000 square feet. It is located several miles east of Downtown Detroit along the Detroit River. Maintenance costs around $116000 per year.
The Manoogian Mansion features Mediterranean Revival-Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It includes a Mission Revival Style influence. The roof is terra-cotta tile. Walls of windows dominate the house. Bowed arched and leaded windows let light stream in. They offer views of the grounds and the Detroit River.
Downstairs there are three sunrooms facing south and the river. There are 15 rooms total. A large living room library and kitchen are present. There are two dining rooms. One is formal and the other is more casual overlooking the river. The Manoogian Mansion includes four bedrooms plus two small servants’ bedrooms. It has three full baths a servants’ bath and two half-baths.
The Berry Historic Subdivision Historic District has the former homes of prominent Detroit residents. John and Frederic Ford Arthur Clamage and John Kay all lived here.
In 1974 Detroit hosted the World Economic Summit. Mayor Coleman Young used the Manoogian Mansion to entertain foreign dignitaries. President Ford co-hosted a reception with world leaders here. In 1975 recording artist Gladys Knight married Barry Hankerson at the Manoogian Mansion. Hankerson worked for Mayor Young.
Alex Manoogian’s donation was a way of thanking Detroit. He found success here as an engineer businessman entrepreneur and philanthropist. The Manoogian Mansion has been a community place. It embodies the city’s resilience and generosity.
The Manoogian Mansion stands as a symbol of Detroit. It showcases the city’s architectural grandeur and rich history. From its construction to its role as the mayor’s residence it remains a significant landmark.