Picture those grand homes. They stand proudly in Detroit’s University District. This isn’t just any neighborhood. It’s a place steeped in history. A place where architectural styles mingle. English Tudor meets Romanesque. Italianate whispers to Spanish Mission.
The University District. Named for its neighbor the University of Detroit Mercy. It’s a neighborhood tucked away. One mile west of Woodward Avenue. Bounded by Seven Mile Road to the north. McNichols Road and the university to the south. The Detroit Golf Club and Golf Club Estates to the east. Livernois Avenue its western edge. Once called the Avenue of Fashion. It’s now transforming into Gallery Row. A haven for artists and art lovers.
These homes weren’t built overnight. Most were constructed between 1925 and 1941. A golden age of homebuilding. Think intricate plasterwork. Leaded or stained glass. Oak-paneled libraries. Hand-pegged hardwood floors. Fireplaces. Even Pewabic Pottery tile and crystal chandeliers. Many homes boast four to six bedrooms. At least three bathrooms. Two-car garages. Fully finished basements. Some even have home theaters now.
But the University District is more than just beautiful homes. It has a vibrant history. It was farmland once. Part of Greenfield township. Then annexed by Detroit in 1916. A pivotal moment. The University of Detroit’s president John McNichols. He purchased land here in 1920. Transforming this farmland into a thriving neighborhood.
The first homeowners. They were realtors. Lawyers. Insurance executives. Successful business owners. Even musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Fairfield Street was Orchestra Row. Many musicians lived there. Their repair staff lived nearby. The homes themselves hold stories. Autographs of famous conductors and soloists. Once on the wallpaper. Now preserved in the DSO archives and Detroit Public Library.
African-American families moved in during the 1960s. Adding to the neighborhood’s rich tapestry. The University District. A place where history unfolds. Where architectural beauty captivates. Where community thrives. A true gem of Detroit. A place that continues to evolve. A neighborhood of stories yet to be told. A place waiting for you to discover it.