Virginia Park Community

Very few neighborhoods capture both the past, present, and future of Detroit like the Virginia Park Community. Within this close-knit locale, you will find reminders of Detroit’s rich history such as the Motown Museum; you can observe midcentury houses and apartments lining quiet residential streets; and it is impossible not to notice the newly built townhouses and refurbished Victorian homes that hint at a bright future for this rapidly growing housing market.

The Virginia Park Community is one of Detroit’s most historic communities, with origins in the Gilded Age. Virginia Park was founded in 1893 as an upper-middle-class enclave, and most of its Victorian, Colonial Revival, neo-Georgian, Tudor, and bungalow homes were built from 1893 to 1915. The Great Depression reversed the fortunes of this upper-crust enclave, as did the deindustrialization of Detroit from the 1960s to 1980s. Even as Virginia Park endured a prolonged rough patch in its history, the character of this neighborhood shone through every layer of difficulty it faced. In 1982, Virginia Park was designated a “historic district” by the National Register of Historic Places. Four decades later, Virginia Park has been reanimated and redeveloped, as the same charm that attracted residents to this Victorian village at the turn of the 20th century may play a role in creating a better 21st century for this community.

Realtor Joslyn Stephens of PREP Realty says, “The 48206 zip code is rapidly rising in value, and the Virginia Park Project offers some of the last affordable, fully remodeled, move-in ready home purchasing opportunities in the area.” Detroit’s recent trend of redevelopment has taken hold in Virginia Park, whose history and homes both hold great appeal for those looking to move to the heart of the Motor City. Homes in the Virginia Park Community sell for between $60,000 and $325,000, with recently remodeled homes comprising the upper tier of this diverse market. Streets in this neighborhood are defined by sidewalk-flanked and tree-shaded streets, beyond which lay expansive front lawns and large single and multi-family dwellings.

Beyond the abundance of historic homes, Virginia Park also puts residents in touch with some of Detroit’s greatest features. Stephens says, “This neighborhood offers it all; it’s conveniently located moments away from major freeways, Wayne State University, the Motown Museum, Henry Ford Hospital, the Fisher Building, and tons of restaurants.” Grocery amenities such as the Family Foods Super Store are located within blocks of the neighborhood, as are pharmacies and the prominent Henry Ford Hospital.

For a laid-back meal, check out Papa’s Pizza & BBQ for comfort food classics from large, deep-dish pizzas to baked ziti, ribs, and barbecue wings. If you want to relax in style, grab a cup of coffee and perhaps a sandwich or wrap from The Congregation, a former church whose vintage interior lends an extra dose of charm to your eating experience. Beautiful gardens in the former churchyard now host free yoga classes and live music events, bringing the Virginia Park community together. Virginia Park residents also live within a few blocks from the iconic LaSalle Park, a creation of the Gilded Age whose English-style gardens invite visitors to take a sunny stroll through history.

Students attend the C-minus-rated Thirkell Elementary-Middle School and Northwestern High School. Both schools’ biggest strengths are their teachers; Northwestern’s teachers have been rated highly, while this school also touts a better-than-average student-teacher ratio.

If you’re looking to become part of a rich history and a diverse community fabric, the Virginia Park Community is a solid choice with a bright future. As Stephens says, “You have a chance to own a piece of Detroit’s revitalization.”

Written By

Jacob Adelhoch

Photography Contributed By

JC Knopf

Video By

Francesco Basti