The Lafayette Park neighborhood near downtown Detroit is packed with history. Once a predominantly Black neighborhood known as “Black Bottom,” this community was hit hard by the Great Depression as many automobile workers were laid off.
In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, the city demolished Black Bottom, giving residents 30 days to vacate the area and make room for a new development. It was then replaced with what is today known as Lafayette Park and the Chrysler Freeway—a mixed-income development designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
“It’s a really unique area with some wonderful architecture,” says Randall Fogelman, a 30-year Detroit resident living in Midtown and a Realtor with O'Connor Realty Detroit. “I don’t think [Mies van der Rohe] fully realized his vision. With the trees all grown in and the park in the middle, it’s kind of like an oasis in the middle of the city.”
Lafayette Park is a community of residences set upon an interconnected park.
Lafayette Park offers a huge variety of dining and recreational activities in Detroit.
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Lafayette Plaisance Park and the Dequindre Cut
The neighborhood's unique layout includes substantial urban green space. "You've got a very park-like setting. The tree canopy in Lafayette Park is beautiful, and the parks are well maintained," says Fogelman.
Lafayette Plaisance Park, a grassy wonderland dominating the center of the neighborhood, is a community favorite. With two tennis courts, a half basketball court and a baseball diamond, it's easy to see why they spend warm weekends hanging out here. Cyclists enjoy the neighborhood, too, thanks to the Dequindre Cut, a sub-street-level greenway with bike and walking lanes decorated with urban artwork and graffiti.
Rent a scooter and zip through Lafayette Park riding along the Dequindre Cut.
Go for a stroll with your pets in Lafayette Plaisance Park.
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The Chrysler Freeway and downtown
This neighborhood’s location is a primary draw for corporate and medical professionals. Areas like Campus Martius and the Renaissance Center are about a mile west and can be reached in 10 minutes by bike, while Wayne State and the Detroit Medical Center are about 2 miles north and can be reached in 10 minutes by car.
The Chrysler Freeway runs along its western border, making commuting around metro Detroit easy. Multiple bus routes run throughout, including Van Dyke-Lafayette, Chene, Cadillac-Harper and Jefferson. This neighborhood is also just as walkable as it is bikeable.
Historic and modern Co-Ops and condos
Lafayette Park features the world's largest collection of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe. The community includes a range of condominiums, Co-Ops and high-rise apartments with modernist themes. Buildings with exposed steel, tinted glass and aluminum accents stand out from the neo-classical architecture surrounding areas, like the Financial District.
Most residences are tucked away from busy main streets on dead-end roads lined with established oak trees. These homes don’t feature garages, so street parking is the standard, although some apartment complexes feature parking lots.
While Mies van der Rohe developments are the most common finds, there are also several complexes (old and new) around the neighborhood. Prices range from $40,000 for a condominium on the outskirts of the community and climb to $600,000 for a newly renovated Mies van der Rohe home at the center.
Lafayette Park is the largest collection of steel and glass townhouses designed by van der Rohe.
Lafayette Towers were designed by architect Mies van der Rohe in Lafayette Park.
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Shopping and dining in Lafayette Park and downtown
Residents don’t have to go far to grab groceries from Lafayette Foods or take out from Urban Soul, but there are even more options in surrounding areas. Lafayette Park’s proximity to downtown puts it near ample shopping and dining. From Gucci, to Nike, to H&M, there's a broad selection of stores to shop at. Dining options downtown range from authentic Greek at Golden Fleece to pizza at Mootz. For more grocery needs, the Meijer on Jefferson is the go-to.
Browse the stalls at Eastern Market across Gratiot from Lafayette Park.
La Ventana in Lafayette Park offers space for study and collaboration.
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Bunche Prep and King High School
Kids attend the C-minus rated Bunche Prep from kindergarten through eighth grade. For high school, Martin Luther King Jr. High, one of the city’s examination schools, is a short walk away in Elmwood Park. The high school also has a C-minus and is well-known for its championship-contending football team.
Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School welcomes Lafayette Park students.
Lafayette Park students can attend Bunche Preparatory Academy.
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Elevated crime index score
Lafayette Park's CAP crime index score is 8 out of 10, compared to 4 for the US average.
Written By
Kaitlin Davis
Photography Contributed By
Eric Lynch
Video By
David Fritzson
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Alexander Zachary
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Loft Warehouse
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Fantastic high-rise apartment in downtown Detroit offering stunning panoramic views and breathtaking sunsets over the city skyline. The spacious living room boasts rich dark floors that beautifully contrast with the massive wall of windows, flooding the space with natural light and showcasing incredible vistas. The sleek, modern kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and a
Beautifully maintained 2 bedroom, 2 full bath Lafayette Parc condo. Located within walking distance to Eastern Market and the Dequindre Cut. 6th floor. Association includes outside maintenance, water, and sewer. View of Ford Field from your balcony. Large closets in bedrooms. Land Contract terms as well.
Just Listed! 1300 E. Lafayette #2407, 08. Rare 4-bedroom combined corner unit featuring in-unit laundry, two custom kitchens, and three full baths. Perched on the 24th floor of the iconic 1300 East Lafayette cooperative, this expansive residence offers over 2,400 square feet of beautifully designed living space—making it one of the largest condo/co-op floor plans available in the downtown Detroit
Come see what's new at CITY PLACE DETROIT - where city living comes with epic views! Step outside your door and experience the excitement of downtown living like never before. Located in historic Lafayette Park, our recently updated STUDIO and ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS are within a short walk to some of Detroit's best spots. Stop by our neighbours in Eastern Market for amazing local foods
Built in 1916, the building originally housed several produce businesses. In 1985, the second floor was converted to lofts, making it the first ever live/work loft building in Detroit. Beginning in 2024, the second floor lofts underwent a full renovation, and these unique lofts have been fully modernized while maintaining their unique historic character. From its historic location at the center
Gabriel JohnsonBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Loft Warehouse
Newly Constructed! We're excited to present Lafayette West, a brand new, unique apartment community nestled within a tree-lined urban oasis on the cusp of downtown Detroit. Offering a balanced lifestyle that is simultaneously central and serene. Lafayette West offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 436 square-feet to 1,223 square-feet, with
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,055
Median Age
40
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
11%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$55,274
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,858
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
59.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
38''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
80/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
67/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
