Famous 'Motown Mansion' hits market for $1.3M

Nels Michelson built the home in 1917

DETROIT – The luxurious Detroit home once owned by Motown founder Berry Gordy is up for sale.

The "Motown Mansion" hit the market this week with a listing price of $1,295,000. Built in 1917, the 'mansion' includes 10,500 sq ft, and an 4,400 sq ft pool house. The main residence has 10 bed rooms, 5 full bathrooms and 4 fireplaces.

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Nels Michelson built the home in 1917. He came from Denmark to the United States with almost nothing and settled in northern Michigan. He started in the lumber business with a single mule to haul the lumber. He saved his money until he had enough to buy a lumber mill. In 1906, he created the Grayling Lumber Co.

He invested his money into Detroit, a city that, at the time, was showing potential.

He moved his family to the city, started a home building company and built the mansion at 918 West Boston Blvd.

Berry Gordy lives in the house from 1967-1969, but owned the property until 2002. He then sold it to Cynthia Reeves, who was recently highlighted in a Uniquely Detroit story.

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About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.