Take a Peek Inside Aretha Franklin’s 1990s Detroit Mansion

In honor of what would have been her 83rd birthday, check out the palace that gave the Queen of Soul a beautiful view of the exclusive Detroit Golf Club

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
Shannon Sharpe Faces $50M Lawsuit Amid Chilling Abuse Accusations And Leaked Messages

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 2018 death. 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 peek inside the home while it still had some of Franklin’s original details. In honor of what would have been her 83rd 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

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

Like Beyoncé’s new bob? Want to try a bob without making the big chop; these bob wigs let you have the best of both worlds …
How <i>Not</i> To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

How Not To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

If you want to be happy in love but don’t know how to get there, pull up a chair. It’s time we had a talk …
Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That's Not All

Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That’s Not All

After a blistering criticism of his basketball team, Kansas State has fired basketball head coach, Jerome Tang, for “just cause.” …
CNN's Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson's Political Legacy

CNN’s Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson’s Political Legacy

The Root spoke exclusively with CNN’s Abby Phillip about what we can learn from the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s multicultural political movement …
Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Obama and his staff had a perception about Trump leading up to the 2016 presidential election that …
NBA Legend Chris Paul's 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

NBA Legend Chris Paul’s 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

Retiring after 21 years in the NBA, Chris Paul was widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in the league …
What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

The New York Times staff is poring through millions of pages of documents in the Epstein files. Now four NYT journalists are revealing what they know so far …
'We Were All Rooting For You' ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘We Were All Rooting For You’ ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘ANTM’ contestants are breaking their silence after the release of Netflix’s new documentary. Let’s take a look at what they have to say! …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected on his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …
Photo: Getty Images Michael DeMocker

Black Mardi Gras Facts They Don’t Teach You in School

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has greater ties to Black history and culture than what meets the eye …
'ANTM's' Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update -- and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update — and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

After years of teaching young aspiring models to werk the runway, “America’s Next Top Model” coach Miss J Alexander reveals a terrifying health scare in 2022 …
America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

OPINION: We struggle to find the language appropriate to describe President Donald Trump’s second term. It’s all more nuanced than most folks think …
Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died at home surrounded by family …
Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home's Shed

Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home’s Shed

A Michigan double homicide investigation went cold after a couple’s remains were found in a shed by a new homeowner in 2023— until now …