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The “Bishop Mansion” or “Bishop Gallagher Residence” is a Tudor Revival-style mansion, designed by the Boston firm McGinnis and Walsh, and was constructed by the Fisher Brothers between 1925 and 1928.
As Detroit’s largest house spanning over 33,000 square feet, the Bishop Mansion embodies the grandeur and historical essence of the city.
Architectural Grandeur of Bishop Mansion
The Bishop Mansion is prominently located on a 2-acre lot in the historic Palmer Woods neighborhood.
This three-story brick and limestone structure captivates with a symmetrical facade featuring an arched entrance portico and a balustraded balcony.
Its red brick exterior is further enhanced by massive two-story bay windows with cut stone details, adding striking visual appeal.
Inside, the mansion integrates luxurious materials like oak, tile, plaster, stone, and masonry, alongside imported European elements such as marble pillars from Sicily and wood from Germany’s Black Forest.
It also houses one of Michigan’s largest collections of Pewabic glazed tile.
Craftsmanship shines throughout with a grand front foyer that leads to arcaded parlors, a formal dining room, and a ballroom. Intricate carvings on wood mantels, pillars, and staircase details were meticulously handcrafted by European artisans.
With 12 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the estate offers extensive space for residents and guests, complemented by a 2,057-square-foot guest house that is fully furnished and immediately habitable.
Other unique architectural features include high ceilings, hardwood floors, stained-glass windows, and an elevator.
Plans are underway to convert the existing chapel into a movie theatre, adding a modern twist to this historic mansion.
Renovations
The Bishop Mansion has recently undergone extensive renovations that highlight its blend of historical elegance and modern functionality.
Key updates include the installation of new windows, a new tile roof, and upgraded copper gutters.
The mansion’s exterior has been meticulously cleaned and polished, reviving its original grandeur.
Inside, significant structural work has prepared the foundation for new HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Additionally, the property is offered with a complete set of engineering plans, which provides future owners the flexibility to tailor further renovations to their specific tastes.
These improvements reinforce the mansion’s status as a prominent piece of Detroit’s architectural heritage.
Auction of Bishop Mansion
Set for a sealed bid auction, Bishop Mansion presents a unique opportunity for prospective buyers to own a significant slice of Detroit’s history.
Bids are to be submitted by 5 p.m. on a designated Monday, either in person at the mansion or via email.
This confidential bidding process allows bidders to evaluate the mansion’s worth privately.
Previously listed for sale at $9 million, with subsequent reductions to $7 million and then to $6 million, the mansion was removed from the market after a year without a sale.
The auction now opens a new chapter, offering potential buyers a chance to acquire Detroit’s largest private residence, featuring opulent amenities and historical significance.
Distinguished Former Residents
For over four decades, this mansion served as the official residence of Detroit’s Catholic Bishops.
It was first occupied by Bishop Michael J. Gallagher, whose name the residence bears, followed by Cardinals Edward Mooney and John Francis Dearden.
In the mid-1980s, John Salley, a former star of the Detroit Pistons, acquired the home, bringing a touch of celebrity glamour to its storied history.
The mansion’s architectural splendor and rich legacy have made it a treasured landmark in Detroit.
Photos of the Mansion
Showcasing the extensive grounds, the estate’s aerial view reveals its sprawling, U-shaped layout set amidst a vast expanse of untamed land ready for landscaping.
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Surrounded by mature trees, this historic mansion offers stunning views of the lush landscape and distant city skyline, underscoring its prime location.
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Vibrant greenery and well-kept gardens encircle the property in this broad aerial shot, highlighting the impressive scope and expansive outdoor area.
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Intricate garden layouts and adjacent woodlands frame the mansion from above, offering a hint of the privacy and extensive outdoor space available.
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Another angle of the estate displays the cohesive architectural style and multiple chimneys, set against structured driveways and emerging spring foliage.
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Detailed roofing and classic brick construction of the mansion’s facade are visible in this expansive view, surrounded by freshly planted young trees that underscore the grandeur and potential of the estate.
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Showcasing the mansion from above, the aerial view highlights the intricate roof tiles and architectural detailing against the lush green backdrop of the estate’s grounds.
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The property’s ample accommodations for vehicles and storage shine through in the detached garage building, featuring a matching brick facade and elegant dormer windows.
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Marble columns and intricate ceiling work mark the grand entry hall, framing a view of the ornate front door surrounded by stained glass.
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The main foyer impresses with elegant wooden double doors leading into a majestic space marked by classic columns and expansive staircases.
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Marble columns and intricate ceiling work define the grand entry hall, which features an ornate front door surrounded by stained glass.
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The hallway displays grandeur with its marble columns and polished wooden staircase, offering a glimpse into the mansion’s historic charm.
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A spacious vault room features secure storage with a modern twist, showcasing a pristine, white-tiled interior and sturdy metal doors.
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Dark hardwood floors and sophisticated double doors highlight the understated elegance of a modern hallway, leading to various rooms.
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The ornate room showcases a stunning pointed ceiling with intricate woodwork and a large chandelier, creating a sense of historical grandeur.
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Display boards within a vast, under-construction area present plans for a modern kitchen, juxtaposed against the exposed historic structure.
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Large windows in the living room accentuate the mansion’s historic essence, framed by an ornate fireplace and classical architectural details.
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The minimalist room includes sleek glass-paneled double doors, providing a modern touch within the mansion’s historic framework.
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An open loft area boasts high ceilings, a modern chandelier, and dark hardwood floors, offering a versatile and airy living space.
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The room with a grand fireplace showcases wood paneling, detailed ceiling work, and multiple doorways, reflecting the mansion’s opulent past.
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In another room, old-world charm meets modern influences, featuring built-in bookshelves and a central chandelier.
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A unique pointed ceiling and simple lighting in the minimalist attic room emphasize the contrast between the dark floors and light walls.
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Natural light fills the kitchen under sloped ceilings, showcasing modern appliances and marble countertops in a sleek, functional space.
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Elegant cabinetry and a central island under a sloped ceiling modernize the kitchen, blending contemporary style with classic architectural elements.
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The kitchen’s high-end stove and cabinetry blend contemporary style with functionality, enhanced by elegant finishes and modern design.
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A large center island, elegant pendant lighting, and dark hardwood floors contrast with light walls and cabinetry in the kitchen’s modern design.
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Blending modern and classic design elements, an upstairs kitchen space presents a bright, airy feel with high ceilings.
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The kitchen’s open layout, dark hardwood floors, and elegant lighting fixtures combine modern design elements with the mansion’s classic architecture.
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Painted in warm orange tones, a stately room features a regal ceiling and an impressive window, highlighting the spacious layout and historic wood paneling.
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The mansion’s elaborate wood-paneled staircase serves as a focal point, showcasing the grandeur of its architectural design and craftsmanship.
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Classic architectural columns and a detailed ceiling enhance the stately atmosphere of the long, marble-floored corridor in the mansion.
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Design boards in a renovation space reflect the potential transformation of this room, contrasting starkly with the exposed and distressed ceiling and brickwork.
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Exposed beams and brick reveal the structure’s raw beauty in this expansive, open-plan area, hinting at vast possibilities for renovation.
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Towering columns flank the grand marble staircase, setting a tone of elegance and history as it ascends to the upper floors of the mansion.
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Sweeping staircases and wood-paneled walls create a warm, inviting entryway, emphasizing the mansion’s timeless craftsmanship.
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A classic fireplace surrounded by detailed white ceiling and wooden paneling dominates a large room, serving as a testament to the home’s opulent past.
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Painted in a striking shade of purple, this room features a fireplace and traditional decor, offering a glimpse of its former splendor and potential for revival.
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A luxurious bathroom provides a modern retreat within the historical residence, featuring a large glass shower and marble details.
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Lined with marble and steel doors, a narrow corridor serves typically for secure storage or as a service area, showcasing the functional aspects of the mansion’s design.
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Original wood paneling around large windows and a beautifully detailed white ceiling adorn a spacious, sunlit library room showcasing ongoing restoration.
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Exposed beams and stripped-down walls in this large room offer a raw glimpse into the extensive renovations currently underway.
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Gold-accented ceiling details and built-in wood cabinetry mark another expansive room, standing ready for restoration.
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Intricate paneling on the wooden door demonstrates the historic craftsmanship present throughout this expansive mansion.
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Exposed brick and framing provide insight into the renovation process in a view of a gutted room, set against a backdrop of old fireplace mantels and wooden beams.
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Rich, dark wood paneling combines with vibrant red wallpaper and a stately ceiling design in this formal room, all bathed in natural light from surrounding windows.
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New framing set against the original wooden roof structure shows a transitional phase of renovation in a construction zone within the mansion.
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The grand hallway of the mansion stripped down to the essentials, highlights robust wooden beams and expansive floor space ready for transformation.
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A modern bathroom offers a serene retreat with sleek fixtures, a minimalist design, and natural light filtering through a small, elegant window.
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