Built in 1884 the Thompson Home stands proudly on Cass Avenue. It wasn’t always a student residence. Originally the Thompson Home for Old Ladies it provided a haven for wealthy widows. David Thompson a wealthy Detroit businessman left his estate for this purpose. His wife Mary oversaw its construction.
The home designed by George D Mason of Mason & Rice is a stunning Queen Anne Victorian structure. A four-story building with an imposing 80-foot tower. Bay windows flank the tower. Symmetrical windows adorn the facade. Artistic brickwork and painted bandcourses complete the exterior.
For many years the Thompson Home was a prestigious retirement home. Private rooms accommodated forty women. Sunrooms were added in 1914. Staff quarters followed in the 1950s. A five-bed infirmary was built in 1964. However the number of residents dwindled. The home closed its doors in 1977.
Wayne State University acquired the building. It became home to the School of Social Work. After renovation the building reopened in the fall of 2017. Today it serves as student housing for the College of Fine Performing and Communication Arts. The Thompson Home continues to stand as a testament to its rich history. It’s a beautiful building with a fascinating story. A significant part of Detroit’s past. It continues to serve the community in new ways.