Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Berry Gordy Jr. Mansion

Designed by John W. Case for Nels Michelson and built in 1916-17.

Nels Michelson, born in Denmark in 1840, immigrated to America in 1866 and became a successful lumberman. He married Margrethe Jenson in 1870 and had six children.

Michelson established the Grayling Lumber Co. in 1906 and later ventured into real estate with the Michelson Land and Home Co.

He retired in 1917 and lived in the home at 918 W. Boston until the 1920s, where later notable figures such as Leonard A. Young - owner of the L.A. Young Spring & Wire Co. - and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. resided.