Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, may have been born in a humble shack in Memphis, Tennessee — but her legacy extended far beyond that.
Before her death in August 2018, she became the owner of several magnificent homes, one of which has recently found new occupants.
Located at 18261 Hamilton Road in Detroit, this historic mansion had remained empty for years, though the property remained privately owned.
It listed for $800,000 in May, and in July it entered contract. The final sale price isn’t yet known.
The story of this stately residence began in October 2018, when it was first acquired for a modest sum of $300,000 shortly after Aretha Franklin’s passing.
Constructed between 1927 and 1929, the house was originally a grand three-floor mansion with an impressive 6,000 square feet of living space, a three-car garage and soaring 9-foot ceilings.
Over the years, however, the property fell into disrepair, resembling the decaying mansion of Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.”
Franklin herself purchased the house in 1993. Although access to the property is restricted by a gate, the mansion is visible from the outside. It’s situated on a private road to the north of the Detroit Golf Club, offering picturesque views near the seventh hole of the golf course.
Intriguingly, the property’s fate took a turn in 2022. According to reports from Abandoned Central, the house was listed for sale at a staggering $1.2 million, but was later reduced to just under $1 million. In the summer of 2023, it found a new owner.
The mansion’s transformation, however, comes with a bittersweet twist. Many of the furnishings and items left behind by the iconic singer, including her famous rose-red bathtub, had vanished over the years.
Before the property changed hands, some fortunate individuals had the opportunity to glimpse its previous state through footage that captured its essence before extensive restoration work began.
The new owners are reportedly committed to restoring the mansion to its former glory, ensuring that Aretha Franklin’s connection to the historic home lives on in the hearts and memories of music enthusiasts and Detroit residents alike.