Lumber baron's former Brush Park home now houses apartments

By Robin Schwartz
Fox 2 News Reporter

DETROIT (WJBK) -- It's a whole new chapter for a historic Detroit home. The Edmund is a completely renovated, 1880s Victorian-style building, which sat vacant for years, but now it's prime real estate with one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

"House was built in 1885.  It was the Lucien Moore house and he was a lumber baron.  Brush Park Historic District was originally the Paris of the Midwest," said part-owner Michael Vanoverbeke.

While many of the incredible homes there were lost or remain abandoned, some The Edmund have come back to life.  It boasts city living with modern amenities, new hardwood floors and incredible views of Comerica Park and the Renaissance Center.

On the third floor is the largest unit.  It has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,800 square feet.  It's still available for $2,200 a month.  One bedrooms rent $1,000 a month.

Vanoverbeke said five tenants have already made commitments.

The apartments are just two blocks from the ballpark and close to the future location of a Whole Foods Market.

The owners say this is one more sign of Detroit's revival.

"The Midtown-Brush Park area is at 95 plus percent occupancy rate.  The demand is there.  The need for housing is really the big concern now, and so to get the product done and out onto the market, they're just being swallowed right up," said Vanoverbeke.

When it comes to security, Vanoverbeke insists the area is walkable and safe.  His law firm is nearby.

If you're interested in leasing an apartment at The Edmund, call (313) 623-2461.