A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin’s 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

In honor of what would have been her 84th birthday, check out the beautiful palace that the Queen of Soul called home!

With nearly six decades in the music business, Aretha Franklin was a legendary singer and songwriter known for chart-topping hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools.” Franklin grew up singing in her father’s church and went on to become the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Bakari Sellers Names the Most Effective Ways for Black Americans to Organize and Make a Change

Born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin’s career took her all over the world, but Detroit was the place she called home until her death in 2018. Franklin owned many beautiful homes in the Motor City, including a stunning three-story mansion overlooking the Detroit Golf Club – the place she lived in while recording her 1998 album, “A Rose is Still A Rose.”

Franklin’s estate sold the mansion in October 2018 to a developer, who made major renovations. But we took a look inside the home while it still had some of Franklin’s original details. In honor of what would have been her 84th birthday, check out Aretha’s home for yourself here!

Detroit’s Queen

Photo: Getty Images Express Newspapers

Born March 25 in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin moved to Detroit with her family as a young girl after her mother passed away and her father, Reverend Clarence La Vaughan “C. L.” Franklin, got a job at New Bethel Baptist Church.

Celebrated by the City

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 29: The remains of Aretha Franklin arrive at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History where she will lie in repose for a second day of public viewing on August 29, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin’s funeral will be held Friday at Greater Grace Temple. Photo: Getty Images Scott Olson

Franklin lived in Detroit until her passing in August of 2018 from complications related to pancreatic cancer. Thousands of mourners came to pay their respects to the music legend during a public viewing at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit,

A Detroit Mansion

Screenshot: YouTube

Built in 1927, this three-story brick home is fit for a queen. It has nearly 6,000 square feet of space inside and lots of beautiful features, including high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Aretha Franklin purchased this home in 1993, according to Local 4 Detroit.

An Amazing View

Screenshot: YouTube

We don’t know if Aretha was a golfer, but if she ever wanted to get in a quick game, she had a beautiful golf course right in her backyard – the exclusive Detroit Golf Club.

High Ceilings

Screenshot: YouTube

Inside the home, you can’t help but be impressed by the wood beams and massive 30-foot ceilings. We can just imagine Ms. Franklin making a grand entrance down this staircase to great her guests!

A Sun-Lit Space

Screenshot: YouTube

This sitting area was made for relaxing, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in loads of light.

A Rose is Still A Rose

Screenshot: YouTube

Franklin lived in this home while working on her 34th studio album, 1998’s “A Rose is Still a Rose.” The house is full of tributes to her work, including this rose design in the carpet.

A Bedroom Fit for a Queen

Screenshot: YouTube

Aretha’s mansion had five bedrooms, including this master suite, with rose wallpaper and a four-poster bed.

En Suite Bathroom

Screenshot: YouTube

The rose detail goes into the en suite bathroom. We bet you’ve never seen a sink like this before!

Spa-Like Space

Screenshot: YouTube

One of the six bathrooms included this red claw foot tub, the perfect place for Aretha to relax and create.

Unique Decor

Screenshot: YouTube

Another bathroom in the home is uniquely decorated with colorful tiles throughout.

It’s All in the Details

Screenshot: YouTube

One of the best things about this home are all of the creative details throughout, including this rose-inspired door handle.

Open Dining Room

Screenshot: YouTube

The open floor plan provided plenty of space for entertaining, like this beautiful dining room. We can only imagine the dinner conversations that went down here!

Stunning Stone

Screenshot: YouTube

This sunroom looks out onto the seventh hole of the golf course. But you can’t enter the room without noticing the impressive stone archway – one of the most beautiful original details of the home.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Screenshot: Instagram

The Life and Times of Soul Singer Al Green

In honor of his 80th birthday, we’re looking at the life of the legendary soul singer, Al Green …
Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Here’s all of the changes Trump’s made to and around the White House, including his controversial ballroom construction and latest triumphal arch …
Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Louisiana Republicans are on a mission to get rid of an elected office held by an exonerated Black man …
The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

Ashley Guillard is officially appealing the $10 million verdict against her after a jury ruled her TikTok claims about the Idaho student murders were defamatory …
Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Black Excellence: Victor Glover’s deep love for his “Cocoa skin” family will make you proud …
Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

During a VladTV sit-down, rapper Papoose addressed long-standing engagement chatter regarding his relationship with boxer Claressa Shields …
Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

This Black Maternal Health Week, we’re looking at the impact of reproductive injustice on incarcerated Black mothers who face increased health risks …
Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Months after Druski’s viral parody of Christian megachuches broke the internet, Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is finally breaking his silence …
Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s family is demanding answers after she died on her birthday trip to Tanzania …
Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Ahead of a special election in Virginia, Black residents received shocking messages via phone and mail invoking Jim Crow’s dark past …
Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Barber is hosting the 2026 Public Theology & Public Policy Conference to organize Churches for the midterms this fall …
Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s 'Ashes' Weren’t Human At All

Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s ‘Ashes’ Weren’t Human At All

Michelle Bivens thought she was keeping her son close after she cremated him, until an expert determined the ashes weren’t human …
Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

While the explicit nature of the “monkey” and “cannibal” slurs is jarring, it sits within a long, documented tradition of presidential prejudice that has shaped the nation’s policies …
Zendaya's Character in 'The Drama' Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

Zendaya’s Character in ‘The Drama’ Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

There’s a lot of rightful online chatter about Zendaya’s character in her latest movie. But there’s an even bigger person we need to talk about! …
Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, but often go without proper diagnosis or care. During Black Maternal Health Week, we highlight the urgent gaps in maternal mental health support …
The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

Even after a death sentence forced former Congolese President Joseph Kabila back into exile, his story is not over yet …
Why Parents of the 'Black-ish' Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

Why Parents of the ‘Black-ish’ Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

As more parents rethink what college readiness looks like, historically Black colleges and universities are emerging as a preferred path in today’s shifting educational landscape …
Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Greg Mathis told his fans and followers that he was going to do whatever it took to get his wife back. Now, it looks like his efforts have finally paid off! …
NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

As President Trump’s approval rating continues to drop, there is a growing call for his removal from office from both sides of the aisle …
Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

The Las Vegas Aces guard made history as the league’s first seven-figure player …