National Media Sponsor

ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME and The Junior League of Detroit were proud to present the 2018 Junior League of Detroit Designers’ Show House

Every other year, designers and design lovers alike flock to the Junior League of Detroit’s Designers’ Show House. This year, ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME was the official national media sponsor for the event and welcomed the chance to celebrate and promote 40 of the country’s most illustrious designers and landscapers as they transformed one of the largest mansions in the Historic Boston-Edison District of Detroit back to its former glory—with a contemporary spin.

The English Tudor-style Charles T. Fisher Mansion—built in 1922 by architect George D. Mason for Charles and Sarah Fisher—was purchased by actor, author, and philanthropist Hill Harper in early 2017. While Hill might come to mind from his work on popular TV shows, CSI: NY and The Good Doctor, in his spare time the actor is set on helping the city he fell in love with while filming various projects on site—hence the donation of his new 16,000-square-foot home as the setting for the Designers’ Show House.

A gem of a property, the home consists of 14 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, six fireplaces, four vaults (one of which once served as a prohibition speakeasy and liquor vault), and spectacularly beautiful grounds. Rare Flint Faience tiles and recently unearthed hand-painted and carved wooden Chinoiserie medallions abound. This biennial event was the Junior League of Detroit’s (JLD) largest fundraiser.

Proceeds support various community programs and grants, including recent initiatives such as EAT (Education, Access and Tools) which equips kitchens to be fully functional so families can cook and eat together at home; and projects in connection with other social service organizations such as Forgotten Harvest, Cass Community Services and the Empowerment Plan.Since the JLD’s Designers’ Show House inception in 1976, the organization has raised over 4.5 million for community programs in Detroit.  

ARTICLES ABOUT THE SHOW HOUSE

Show House

The Fisher Mansion is located at 670 West Boston Boulevard is the largest home in the Historic Boston Edison neighborhood in the heart of Detroit. This 18,000 square foot estate was built in 1922 by architect George D. Mason for Charles and Sarah Fisher.

Designers

Visit this link to find out which of your favorite Designers participated in the 2018 Junior League of Detroit Designers’ Show House. 

Transformation Photographs

It took a veritable village to transform the historic Charles T. Fisher Mansion into the triumphant 22nd Junior League of Detroit (JLD) Designers’ Show House. View the final transformation images now.

Hill Harper Renaissance Man

Hill Harper’s list of accomplishments reads like that of a renaissance man of bygone days.

Traveling to Detroit

Mention you’re going to Detroit and some people will raise an eyebrow. Detroit? Yes. Detroit. Here’s why you need to visit the big D.

History

Boston Edison, the location of the Charles T. Fisher Mansion, is a 36 square-block neighborhood designed and developed by some of Detroit’s most prominent citizens of the 20th century.

Detroit In The News

History of the Charles T. Fisher Mansion

Detroit was an exciting place to be in the early 1900’s. By 1920, it was the fourth largest city in the US with robust employment, growing prosperity, and for a select few, great wealth. Boston Edison, the location of the Charles T. Fisher Mansion, is a 36 square-block neighborhood designed and developed by some of Detroit’s most prominent citizens of the 20th century.

Parallel Transformations at the JLD Designers’ Show House

Both Detroit’s and the Show House’s transformations are well underway and the parallels between the two are palpable.
Detroit is in the midst of recapturing its title as a design powerhouse and the UNESCO City of Design designation was a big step in this direction. As a mainstay of modernist design the stage was set long ago for strength within Detroit’s design community; an exciting, vibrant community with a perspective unlike anywhere else.

In Line with the City of Design: Detroit Foundation Hotel

At the Detroit Foundation Hotel, hyperlocal is represented well: the staff dons uniforms designed by Detroit is the New Black and Detroit Denim Company. In-room, private bars include foodstuffs from local artisan makers and the hotel itself serves as gallery highlighting artists from the area. Truly taking the experience to the next level, the hotel provides “an in-room, custom suit tailoring experience,” a collaboration with Detroit’s 1701 Bespoke.

True North in Detroit Selected as One of Six 2018 MCHAP Finalist Projects

True North, a live/work community in Detroit, selected as one of six finalists for the 2018 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP).
The biennial prize juried by international experts “recognizes the most distinguished architectural works built on the North and South American continents”.

City Growth Partners Launches as New Real Estate Development Firm in Detroit, Michigan

City Growth Partners announces plans for $55 million investment in two ground-up housing developments in the historic Brush Park neighborhood Detroit, MI.

The newly established real estate development company City Growth Partners, in cooperation with the City of Detroit, announced today that it will construct two new residential developments, Brush House and The Brush 8, in the historic Brush Park neighborhood.

Hosted by Actor Hill Harper at His Home, the Largest Residence in the Historic Boston-Edison District.

Award-winning actor, best-selling author and philanthropist, Hill Harper purchased the 18,000-square-foot home in early 2017. His passion for restoring the residence to its original architectural majesty while introducing innovative amenities and modern luxury led him to partner with ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME and the Junior League of Detroit on this exciting project. Each Show House interior and landscape designer will be meticulously chosen and tasked with the challenge to express their unique creativity, at once honoring the home’s innate craftsmanship and historic details.

The Junior League of Detroit has proudly served the community for over 100 years.
The Junior League of Detroit is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.

Our website: http://www.jldetroit.org
Call: 313.881.0040