One of Detroit’s oldest surviving brick homes currently under renovation and will be delivered completed, this extraordinary three-story 1856 Federal-style townhouse stands in the heart of Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood.
Built before the Civil War by Ireland-born mason William Murphy, the home reflects the Federal-style architecture more commonly associated with historic East Coast cities such as Philadelphia and Boston. Over the decades, it has embodied Detroit’s rich immigration story, including residence by Mexican immigrants during the Great Depression, one of whom is believed to have been depicted in Diego Rivera’s famed Detroit Industry Murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Now undergoing an extensive, no-expense-spared renovation by Detroit-based Integrity Building Group, this 1,800-square-foot residence blends historic preservation with modern performance. Original features including the brick masonry, select wood beams, and mahogany stairway railing remain intact, while all major systems, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, are being replaced to deliver the comfort and reliability of new construction within a 19th-century shell.
The main level offers a spacious living room with natural fireplace, formal dining room, and kitchen with pantry. The second floor features two bedrooms and a full bath. The third-floor former attic, which required significant restoration following evidence of a historic fire, has been reimagined with added dormer windows to bring in natural light and presented a perfect opportunity to add a primary suite and full primary bath.
Located just blocks from Michigan Central Station and surrounded by ongoing investment and development, this home offers a rare chance to steward a defining piece of Detroit history while enjoying the benefits of a complete renovation.
An exceptional offering for those seeking architectural significance, modern infrastructure, and a place within one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.