Inside a GUTTED Mega Mansion in Detroit, Michigan

Exploring the historic 33,000 sq/ft Bishop Mega Mansion in Detroit.
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This 12-bedroom, 14-bathroom home is the largest mansion in Detroit and THIS is the only tour ever created.

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Paul Wolfert
Agent: Century 21

[isacteel]

The Latin inscription above the fireplace reads, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do it for the glory of God."

[d.lcannon]

My former pastor used to own the bishops mansion. I was there when his daughter got married. A couple of their family functions was there back in the 90s the house was so beautiful and very immaculate. They kept the grounds manicured and the furniture was incredible. I have some great memories hanging out with the family

[wixom]

I've been in this house just after it was renovated in the 80's. John Salley used to live here. He once said, "there are rooms in here I ain't never been in." It is huge.

[bonnehausman]

I work in Belvedere Mansion in Galena, Illinois. Not nearly this size. But in 1800's, the wealthy built the homes very solid. The walls were built 2-3 bricks on inside walls....4 bricks on outside walls....no lumber. The room off kitchen would have been main dining room....that gold on ceiling would have been gold leaf, not gold paint. The characters on fireplace with sheep were religious figures or saints. The multiple safes were not all used for monies! Shelving would have been in some to hold the sterling silver, candlelobras, silver serving pieces. Most of the light fixtures were old. Some of the bookcases standing were saved, thank goodness... probably torn away from walls or other rooms. Magnificent woodworks, staircases and matble or stone fireplaces! The 3rd floor was often for servants quarters, nanny and children bedrooms, playroom for children. Sometimes a open ballroom. Even if wealthy, this is so massive, very expensive to restore and then to maintain! Would be a beautiful boutique hotel...a step back in time and luxury!

[ohdang]

The two openings on either side of the walls in the entry weee for radiant heaters and likely covered with an ornate screen. The metal boxes sitting in there are modern replacements.

[lindaallen]

I wish people would understand the difference between restoration and remodeling. Restoring something puts it back the way it was..remodeling makes it new or different. The absolute best restoration is achieved when repairing /restoring with the original types of materials done with the original skills and techniques. Many, many amazing chateaux in France and English manor houses are being saved in this manner. This estate might never recover from the vicious assault that has been wrought upon it!

[chrisxiromeritis]

This was basically a private hotel, built as such for the archdiocese of Detroit. Yes, the bishop lived there, but would have been used to host other bishops, priests and diginataries from around the country and the world. The kitchen would have been a full commercial kitchen as they existed in 1929, with large bullt in refrigerator and freezer.

[mcgjohn]

quite the cool house. The Dodge brothers built this house in the 1900s for the Archbishop. Palmer woods is one of 4 or 5 historic areas in Detroit. Palmer Woods was built as the industrialists wanted to get a bit further out of the city but still be close. For those interested, the Palmer woods historic home tours are usually during the 1st week of December. The tickets sell out fast so a person needs to grab them within a day or two when they are posted. The other Detroit historic areas are Boston-Edison, Indian Village, the university district and possibly one or two I am forgetting. The city of Detroit was afraid of losing these historic homes so gave folks who bought these homes a substantial cut on their property taxes to entire more folks to buy them.

[FloatingThroughTheRealm]

The figures represented on the fireplace are The 4 Evangelists- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Symbolically represented- Matthew with the winged man or angel, Mark with the lion, Luke with an ox or bull and John with the eagle. Also linked to the 4 fixed signs of the zodiac- Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, Scorpio.

[joe-pkn]

There should be historic preservation laws against destroying these architectural treasures. The fact that it was some firm from LA makes it that much worse. Whatever this house sells for will be nothing compared to the cost to restore this house to period design. Hopefully the modernization will be recersed.

[Bartgirl]

Blown away by this house and great job showing every aspect of this mansion. Thanks for the tour.

[courteneygettel]

The house itself is exceptional. However the modernization of the kitchen and the carriage house are despicable. When one buys a house such as this, it is to preserve the history, not destroy it. I have looked at my share of houses ( my husband’s family likes to move every 2 years) and this one is very special and should be given great care. I wonder if there are pictures in an archive somewhere to show what it looked like back in the day.

[alexannaz]

Thanks for this video tour. It's so good. Most of us locals know this house as an icon but have no idea what it looks like inside. It's quite the relic. The amount of work it needs is terrifying. Looks like it would make a good commerical property of some sort, depending on what Palmer Woods allows. Right off Woodward--one of the best public transporation routes in Metro Detroit. Easy for workers to get to. I think anyone buying this house to live in would have to be both filthy rich and unconventional. There are many very good, bad, and ugly things that go on in the bordering neighborhoods of Palmer Woods.

[susanurbanczyk]

What a gem. I hate the renderings for the kitchen and I wish the original was still in tact. I would put in a period correct kitchen with modern appliances that match. There would have been another kitchen in the basement. I believe the openings in the entrance would have been radiators. The chapel is the jewel of the house and the sweet swan mural being covered hurts. I am a purist and would completely renovate the entire home to it's original condition. Detroit has some glorious old homes. Thank you for showing this historic masterpiece to us.

[CjMarty]

Hi Paul, i have always loved Detroit. I tried not once but 3xs to run a way back in the 80s, lol . I still hope to make my way and retire in Detroit. I always say I'd rather by a house built between 1850s - early 1970s. Those 🏡 were built to last. Time, patience, much consideration for what the future would be like went into those 🏡 My father built his 🏡 for my mom and family in the 1950s and it still standing with much of the original raptors in the attic and 4x4s in the walls. Unfortunately, he lost the kitchen, bath, and dining room to a 🔥 in 2011 and b4 his 🏡 was restored he passed in 2015.. miss my pops.😢

[Hollywood]

I was there working when they shut it down. I did a lot of brick and block work. Plumbing was all done in the old Boiler room. I wish we could have finished it.

[HansKlopek]

There is no better way of showing you have no style or taste than a modern kitchen.

People should be embarrassed to ruin a classic aesthetic like that.

[chrisbeyrand]

I normally don't comment on videos but i was in this house after john sally left Detroit a bunch of designers each took a room and decorated it i believe john still owned the house they did a showing after there work was completed the odd shaped room after the primary bedroom was a special area for the priest before he went into the chapel what i remember is beautiful hand made oak drawers there might of been somewhere for the preist to sit i remember red carpet its sad to see that just disgarded when i got to the chaple it was 100 percent complete with johns big screen tv at the alter imagen that all the spaces they took out on the second floor were just a bunch of small rooms thanks for taking me through there to bring back a great memory 😊

[lynnwall]

OMG, I love this house!!! I wish I had the money to buy it and renovate it.

[isaiahgadsden]

The current owners gutted too much and is the reason why the Mansion couldn't sell when it was listed. A lot of the original charm is lost for ever!