Inside the Former Mansion of Motown Founder, Berry Gordy Jr: Detroit, Michigan

The mansion that Motown mogul Berry Gordy Jr. lived in from the 1960s-2002 has been bought and sold a few times over the years.

Located at 918 West Boston Boulevard in Detroit, it was built in 1917 on 2.2 acres by Nels Michelson in what is now known as the Boston-Edison Historic District. Nels came to America from Denmark and made his millions in Michigan's lumber trade.

FAST MANSION FACTS:
Billiard room
Bowling Alley
Bronze-encased stained glass windows
Carriage house
Dining room with marble floor
Five car garage
Five leaded stained glass doors
Laundry
Library
Limestone entry hall
Living room with Black Walnut paneling
Pool house
Solarium with fountain
10,500 square feet

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Chef's kitchen includes:
Butler's pantry
Ceramic floors
Granite counters

Before we get to the photo gallery, here's a brief bio.
Berry Gordy was born in Detroit into a middle-class family on November 28, 1929. He dropped out of school in the eleventh grade, hoping to make some quick money by becoming a professional boxer. In 1951 he was drafted, served time in Korea, discharged in 1953, and opened a music store called the 3-D Record Mart.

Berry met singer Jackie Wilson at the Flame Show Bar Talent Club, and the two struck up a friendship. Jackie recorded one of Berry's songs, “Reet Petite”, and the record's success was the beginning.

A FAST FEW GORDY FACTS:
1957: Discovered Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
1959: Borrowed $800 to create a new record company, 'Tamla'
1960: Motown's first million-seller, “Shop Around” by The Miracles
1960: Motown Record Company was incorporated
1961: “Please Mister Postman” by The Marvelettes goes to #1

Gordy wrote or co-wrote many of Motown's early and best hits including:
"Do You Love Me" (The Contours)
"I Want You Back" and “ABC" (The Jackson 5)
"Lonely Teardrops" (Jackie Wilson)
"Shop Around" (The Miracles)

Berry signed and launched the careers of:
Commodores
Contours
Diana Ross
Four Tops
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Jimmy Ruffin
Martha and the Vandellas
Marvelettes
Marvin Gaye
Mary Wells
Michael Jackson
Miracles
Rare Earth
Smokey Robinson
Stevie Wonder
Supremes
Temptations
Velvelettes
...and a good slew of others.

It was Berry's idea for group choreography and insisted upon a presentable public image: well-dressed, well-behaved, and music that would appeal to all races. Berry Gordy Jr. has made his mark with an incredible legacy of music...and a mansion to boot.

One last quick piece of fascinating trivia about Berry's background...His great-grandfather was a white plantation owner from Georgia and his great-grandmother Esther Johnson was one of the slaves. His half-uncle, James - son of the plantation owner and his legal wife - was the grandfather of President Jimmy Carter.

Now go inside and take a look at the fabulous former mansion of Berry Gordy Junior.....

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