Exploring Detroit's BIGGEST Mega Mansion

Today we're exploring the inside of the historic Bishop Mega Mansion in the Palmer Woods neighborhood of Detroit. This 12 bedroom, 14 bathroom mega mansion is the largest private home in Detroit and THIS is the only tour ever created.
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[@isacteel5259]

The Latin inscription above the fireplace reads, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do it for the glory of God."

[@Captainscentsable44]

Close enough ;)

[@Anthony_The_Disney_Guy]

Amen

[@omargarcia7905]

1 Corinthians 10:31

[@mistercohaagen]

So doing it for the "glory of God", whatever that means... apparently results in your creepy house being abandoned. Cool.

[@WankBeans]

@@mistercohaagen Repent heretic

[@lindaallen9721]

I wish people would understand the difference between restoration and remodeling. Restoring something puts it back the way it was..remodeling makes it new or different. The absolute best restoration is achieved when repairing /restoring with the original types of materials done with the original skills and techniques. Many, many amazing chateaux in France and English manor houses are being saved in this manner. This estate might never recover from the vicious assault that has been wrought upon it!

[@MrsB197something]

We arent all experts and don't need to be to like the video

[@joe-p9k4n]

There should be historic preservation laws against destroying these architectural treasures. The fact that it was some firm from LA makes it that much worse. Whatever this house sells for will be nothing compared to the cost to restore this house to period design. Hopefully the modernization will be recersed.

[@allaboutfaithinhim]

The modernization should be against the law

[@bernadettestar]

Unless they are planning to use it for a group home. Put the thing to good use right

[@kimberlyhampton5332]

In some areas, there are.

[@bonnehausman2253]

I work in Belvedere Mansion in Galena, Illinois. Not nearly this size. But in 1800's, the wealthy built the homes very solid. The walls were built 2-3 bricks on inside walls....4 bricks on outside walls....no lumber. The room off kitchen would have been main dining room....that gold on ceiling would have been gold leaf, not gold paint. The characters on fireplace with sheep were religious figures or saints. The multiple safes were not all used for monies! Shelving would have been in some to hold the sterling silver, candlelobras, silver serving pieces. Most of the light fixtures were old. Some of the bookcases standing were saved, thank goodness... probably torn away from walls or other rooms. Magnificent woodworks, staircases and matble or stone fireplaces! The 3rd floor was often for servants quarters, nanny and children bedrooms, playroom for children. Sometimes a open ballroom. Even if wealthy, this is so massive, very expensive to restore and then to maintain! Would be a beautiful boutique hotel...a step back in time and luxury!

[@Mary-t1f]

This was built in 1925-28 for the Catholic Bishop of Detroit. The edifice was sold and a family lived there until it was given back to the church for a while. The Catholic Church has not got the big donors in Detroit now due to the decline of the auto industry (think NAFTA and Reagan), as well as a little issue with immoral behavior payments that has taken quite a chunk of money. So, this is obviously the house Jesus would have selected for himself.

[@bonnehausman2253]

I'm Catholic...but this was a grotesque amount of money spent to house the religious order!!! I thought priests took the vow of poverty! What did this cost the church to maintain?

[@sandragruhle6288]

@@bonnehausman2253 Nuns took the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. From the historical perspective, many priests took the altar boys, which is what cost the church not only millions, but also parishioners. The massive expenditure on this building is outrageous!

[@playhooky]

@@bonnehausman2253 Your 'regular' Diocesan priests only take 2 vows: obedience & celibacy (which is obviously a very difficult one). Priests who belong to an order, such as Dominican or Benedictine, or Franciscan etc., take a third vow: the vow of poverty. However, "it is also expected that diocesan priests will lead a life of simplicity consonant with the people they serve". - quoted from the website of The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

[@RG-ct6qz]

Mankind was very advanced back then.

[@ohdang8515]

The two openings on either side of the walls in the entry weee for radiant heaters and likely covered with an ornate screen. The metal boxes sitting in there are modern replacements.

[@PaulWolfert]

Ahhh!! Well, that makes sense.

[@cleasonleasure4832]

Probably had a couple air handlers in each room on both sides of the main entrance

[@cleasonleasure4832]

Check out bolt castle thousand islands Alexandra Bay, New York. That’s way more impressive than this.

[@davepov]

Correct and that giant room in the basement with 20' ceilings, may have been the boiler room. It would have taken an enormous boiler to heat that place...maybe more than one.

[@LLOUL542]

They are butchering it up. Terrible ideas. It could have been a school, senior complex, A medical building and a few other things. What a waste. Such beauty being destroyed. The architect needs to go back to school for awhile if this is all he can do. Shame shame.

[@isaiahgadsden5541]

The current owners gutted too much and is the reason why the Mansion couldn't sell when it was listed. A lot of the original charm is lost for ever!

[@fisherlove11320q]

I believe a lot of it had to be gutted because of the decay, and possibly excessive water damage.

[@Taswolf]

Idk how anything like that could be been left to decay. That's beyond sad.

[@FloatingThroughTheRealm]

The figures represented on the fireplace are The 4 Evangelists- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Symbolically represented- Matthew with the winged man or angel, Mark with the lion, Luke with an ox or bull and John with the eagle. Also linked to the 4 fixed signs of the zodiac- Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, Scorpio.

[@millcity9711]

This is not a restoration, it's a remodeling, or more precisely, a remuddling. The new work is frighteningly bad and by notion of the renderings, it's promises to only get worse. Whomever the architect is that came up with this redesign should be ashamed of themselves. I hope whoever buys this property has the incite to start over with a firm that possess the proper qualifications.

[@cleasonleasure4832]

Yeah, I’ve been in construction 50 years and we don’t renovate in America. We remodel . 20:29 it was a term brought over from the Canadiens.

[@suzzane.notsusan.1078]

I agree 1000% that kitchen the want to make is way to modern for style of home its not in keeping with how it was meant to be. I hate when they try to ultra modernize a home that shouldn't be

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

You could not possibly be more correct. See my lengthy comment above. You know what you're talking about but the chances of someone buying an OVER 34 THOUSAND square foot home are microscopic.

[@millcity9711]

@@greeneyedwarlock882 It is indeed a very large property, but not undoable...given enough time and money. They already screwed-up with the windows. They're not horrible for a 30-year glazing product, but the dirty little secret about Thermopane is that they eventually fail and fog over, more quickly than anyone desires, with the exception of manufacturers. Until such time, they kind of look okay, but they're not at all period correct. Like nearly all modern windows, they're entirely too chunky. However, being dark helps take the sting out of that effect. I certainly would have liked to have seen what they pulled out. Anyway, not my project, not my problem. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@JulieSmith-c1y]

Couldn’t agree more. It makes me so sad

[@HansKlopek]

There is no better way of showing you have no style or taste than a modern kitchen. People should be embarrassed to ruin a classic aesthetic like that.

[@erich6860]

There is nothing finer than keeping things original, IMO. I wish they sold antique looking stoves with modern components just so we who appreciate those classic designs could have it.

[@chrisxiromeritis8654]

This was basically a private hotel, built as such for the archdiocese of Detroit. Yes, the bishop lived there, but would have been used to host other bishops, priests and diginataries from around the country and the world. The kitchen would have been a full commercial kitchen as they existed in 1929, with large bullt in refrigerator and freezer.

[@PaulWolfert]

That makes more sense than anything else I've heard.

[@ninasgriccia4652]

The figures carved in the wooden fireplace mantle are of Jesus.

[@gillesblanchard1699]

@@ninasgriccia4652 The four evangelists on top of the wooden fireplace!

[@skyelyte1699]

@@ninasgriccia4652 all of these old world buildings that are architectural masterpieces when original details remain and still exist are a record of the Millennial Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST. That is because we are lied to about our history and we live in a false reality. Historical buildings like this, and most especially capitol buildings, cathedrals, federal and state seized 'historic' buildings were impossible to build when 'we are told' they were built and they cannot be reproduced today because they were divinely created during the Millennial Kingdom by JESUS CHRIST.

[@skyelyte1699]

For the record, there was free energy, light and heat during this era, that is not at all from the era we are told. The buildings are ancient and were built to last forever. The destruction they have suffered has been very deliberate. The bricks in these old world buildings have iron that conduct electricity, iron found in blood as it goes. Some architectural structures from this era have bricks that number a million or more yet there has been no evidence as to where and how they were made and the bricks alone cannot be made today.

[@d.lcannon409]

My former pastor used to own the bishops mansion. I was there when his daughter got married. A couple of their family functions was there back in the 90s the house was so beautiful and very immaculate. They kept the grounds manicured and the furniture was incredible. I have some great memories hanging out with the family

[@geesmith3107]

It would be great if you had any pictures to share while there.

[@Stephen-q1k]

Pastors have mansions?

[@nathanhall7396]

​@@Stephen-q1k The Righteous Gemstones ones do. Look up Wayne T Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International. Just read the beliefs and that's all ya need to know. He bought it from John Salley after the Pistons Bad Boy years.

[@strangefruit9867]

​@@nathanhall7396Righteous gemstones???

[@charlesking678]

As a bit of construction criticism I'd suggest you edit the video more before publishing. The first 8 minutes of the exterior could've been condensed down to a minute or two. It makes the video more watchable.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thanks! But...The original cut of the video was condensed to 20 mins total - at the last minute, I decided to leave most of it uncut and it paid off. The video has outperformed any video I've ever made and most other videos like it in this space. Over 100k views in a week on a 1 hour tour is unheard of.

[@pla5730]

I agree 👍🏼 25% of video was unnecessary. I skipped thru and gave up halfway thru. Boring 😮

[@thatrichlyfe]

I also agree. The only reason this video is so highly viewed is not because of your editing but because of the historical significance of the location. I highly suggest you look at your analytics for this video, find drop-off points, and chop off those portions of the video. That will increase view watch time and ad rev.

[@courteneygettel4631]

The house itself is exceptional. However the modernization of the kitchen and the carriage house are despicable. When one buys a house such as this, it is to preserve the history, not destroy it. I have looked at my share of houses ( my husband’s family likes to move every 2 years) and this one is very special and should be given great care. I wonder if there are pictures in an archive somewhere to show what it looked like back in the day.

[@fisherlove11320q]

I'm certain their is

[@darnellgarrison1628]

There are some that may be in the Great Faith Ministry archives. Sadly, I never took any when I was there. There may be some from when Winnie Mandela was there during a visit

[@KStraith]

Why would you want to preserve a kitchen that sucks? Nobody pays millions of dollars (and then double the price for renovation) to live in a museum with a lesser quality of life than you'd find at a condo in Royal Oak.

[@karenmartin9743]

I just looked at pictures that showed the rooms furnished. Just query Bishops Mansion, Detroit MI and they will be there.

[@fenestrationpro]

It is NOT in a historic district - those who buy can do to these structures whatever the F they want. 😂😂

[@wixom01]

I've been in this house just after it was renovated in the 80's. John Salley used to live here. He once said, "there are rooms in here I ain't never been in." It is huge.

[@BLACKGEMINIFILMZ]

Wow that’s a lot of rooms

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

What, exactly, was “renovated” at that time??

[@deliciaford4343]

😊❤ What's the history behind this house? Th

[@johnled4375]

Yeah my name is John Ledford play you want to write him a check the fish to put it up for auction and I want the fucking house

[@johnled4375]

Melania tell Steve I want to buy this house now I don't know what they want for it but buying 33,000 + square feet Melania and I wanted to buy it

[@heatherjackson2520]

Vandals didn't come in and screw it up but construction Crews did

[@mcgjohn22]

quite the cool house. The Dodge brothers built this house in the 1900s for the Archbishop. Palmer woods is one of 4 or 5 historic areas in Detroit. Palmer Woods was built as the industrialists wanted to get a bit further out of the city but still be close. For those interested, the Palmer woods historic home tours are usually during the 1st week of December. The tickets sell out fast so a person needs to grab them within a day or two when they are posted. The other Detroit historic areas are Boston-Edison, Indian Village, the university district and possibly one or two I am forgetting. The city of Detroit was afraid of losing these historic homes so gave folks who bought these homes a substantial cut on their property taxes to entire more folks to buy them.

[@janespurgeon3658]

It's very sad to let it go! Beautiful ❤️ we really must keep these old structures. Nothing is close to these buildings now 😢😢😢

[@RADIUMGLASS]

It was the Fisher brothers Body by Fisher who built the house not Dodge.

[@susanurbanczyk9084]

What a gem. I hate the renderings for the kitchen and I wish the original was still in tact. I would put in a period correct kitchen with modern appliances that match. There would have been another kitchen in the basement. I believe the openings in the entrance would have been radiators. The chapel is the jewel of the house and the sweet swan mural being covered hurts. I am a purist and would completely renovate the entire home to it's original condition. Detroit has some glorious old homes. Thank you for showing this historic masterpiece to us.

[@AGStack9999]

Covering up the swans; that 💔.

[@WLM596]

Someone absolutely ruined this house 😢

[@PaulWolfert]

It could be beautiful again! 🙂

[@WLM596]

@@PaulWolfert I hope someone takes it on!

[@glosteiger2517]

These so called renovations are happening all over Detroit. Ruining all these beautiful old houses. Makes me sick. My old house had the butler’s pantry torn out. Crown molding gone etc. This mansion you’re in was so beautiful.

[@kenj.8897]

Lol Detroit . It's still a mess till they lock up 75% of the animals it's no place I'd go .

[@Hollywood66]

I was there working when they shut it down. I did a lot of brick and block work. Plumbing was all done in the old Boiler room. I wish we could have finished it.

[@PaulWolfert]

Oh wow! Wish someone snapped some "before" photos.

[@anonynony]

Who stopped your work? Was it being used as residence prior to shut down? Would love to know!

[@PaulWolfert]

@@anonynony my guess is money and difficulty managing the project from across the country.

[@isttra]

The Latin, “Sive Manducatis sive Bibiris Sive Iliud Quid Facitis Omnia In gloriam Dei Facite” translates in English to: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do everything for the glory of God” and is from the New Testament, ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬.

[@AbeIsLincoln]

Good thing the "renovations" stopped before they destroyed anything else smh. Im sure that original kitchen was glorious. What in the fcuk were they doing in that space that was all framed up that had the mural covered up? Hopefully someone with some deep pockets and respect for history buys it and it doesnt end up being demolished. Its too massive and seems like its only chance is to be converted something like wedding events/ bed and breakfast/ split condos/ if these are even an option in that neighborhood....

[@PaulWolfert]

After the tour I learned that the framed out area is intended to be some sort of "live-in-nanny" wing. Still seems like a lot of tiny rooms to me.

[@CjMarty]

Hi Paul, i have always loved Detroit. I tried not once but 3xs to run a way back in the 80s, lol . I still hope to make my way and retire in Detroit. I always say I'd rather by a house built between 1850s - early 1970s. Those 🏡 were built to last. Time, patience, much consideration for what the future would be like went into those 🏡 My father built his 🏡 for my mom and family in the 1950s and it still standing with much of the original raptors in the attic and 4x4s in the walls. Unfortunately, he lost the kitchen, bath, and dining room to a 🔥 in 2011 and b4 his 🏡 was restored he passed in 2015.. miss my pops.😢

[@Bartgirl24]

Blown away by this house and great job showing every aspect of this mansion. Thanks for the tour.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thank you for watching!! Tried not to cut much out.

[@alexannaz]

Thanks for this video tour. It's so good. Most of us locals know this house as an icon but have no idea what it looks like inside. It's quite the relic. The amount of work it needs is terrifying. Looks like it would make a good commerical property of some sort, depending on what Palmer Woods allows. Right off Woodward--one of the best public transporation routes in Metro Detroit. Easy for workers to get to. I think anyone buying this house to live in would have to be both filthy rich and unconventional. There are many very good, bad, and ugly things that go on in the bordering neighborhoods of Palmer Woods.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thanks for watching it! Originally the first cuts of this tour were completely edited down but I decided to keep it as raw as possible. I could see it being an amazing Airbnb or true bed and breakfast.

[@lynnwall7046]

OMG, I love this house!!! I wish I had the money to buy it and renovate it.

[@PaulWolfert]

So do I! the quality of construction is amazing.

[@spurmarks]

Probably a "silver vault" which many mansions had to lock up the silver cutlery, candelabras, bowls, etc.

[@PaulWolfert]

That makes sense. Just strange that there is one on each floor.

[@spurmarks]

@@PaulWolfert Could also be a gun safe - it is Detroit... 😁

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

@@spurmarks You're about as historically sharp as a spoon, aren't ya'??

[@pwlucerne]

Thank you for your insightful tour. My family owned the house next door to the Bishop's house for more than 50 years and I never had the opportunity to go inside. I have done limited renovation work on two modern 2,000 SF apartments that I have owned and the cost was always into six figures. I shudder to imagine what it will cost to restore the Bishop's house to its former grandeur, considering the starting point is the first phase of a gut renovation. I suspect that the real estate investors who purchased the property have elected to put the property up for auction because they realized that the cost of a full renovation would be at a level that would make it difficult to earn an appropriate return on investment. Moreover, the nature of the wealthy buyers of such homes is such that they may have different views as to how they would prefer for the renovation to be done. For the sake of posterity, I hope that the buyer preserves the historical character of the home.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thank you for watching! I wish I could have viewed it before all of the work was done. The cost would be ridiculous but I hope someone does preserve/restore the original character.

[@antoniocastaneda7258]

I lived near that mansion in the 60’s and 70’s. I remember in the late 60’s hippies camped out on the lawn in protest. In high school I used to park in the drive way and pretend this was my house to impress the girls from the suburbs. I love that neighborhood it’s in.

[@playhooky]

What a hoot! Something in my subconscious memory is telling me that you parking in the driveway & pretending to dates that it was your house reminds of the movie "Pretty in Pink".

[@namelessone3339]

Since the main stair goes to the third floor in all its glory, I think the ballroom was there, as mentioned when looking at the intercom. There would have been a men's and ladies' lounge, each with a bathroom. The animal border was probably a leftover if the Salleys used it as a nursery/playroom. The room with a half bath in the angled wing at the end of the first floor was most likely the bishop's office. The finished room at the bottom of the main stair in the basement might have been a billiard room. The white painted brick room was probably the laundry room. It isn't unusual for store rooms like those in the basement to be connected, in addition to a door from the hall.

[@playhooky]

Definitely agree that the main staircase going all the way to the 3rd floor indicates a ballroom - or room with some significant entertainment purpose - was up there.

[@tylergillihan6307]

Thankfully the project failed before they completely ruined it. I'm sick of the international farmhouse style. Totally inappropriate for this house.

[@stevent5862]

I think it would be helpful to research and communicate basic historical info on the house. Knowledge of architectural terms applied to interiors would help your channel. Research on original floor plan would be helpful. Thanks for the tour!

[@PaulWolfert]

It was basically a small hotel for the catholic church. Now that I've looked at the original blueprints, it all makes sense.

[@minan1354]

Not spooky, just old construction. I hope you had permission to be there! You apparently didn't do any research beforehand.

[@PaulWolfert]

Yep! I had permission - I'm a real estate agent. I wasn't sure what condition I'd find the home in and was just happy to explore. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbowers3946]

It kinda looks like "Stately Wayne Manor" from the 1960's tv show Batman.

[@PaulWolfert]

It does!

[@tomaz320]

It was John Sally home in 89 during his Pistons years, then in 95, he sold to Bishop Wayne T Jackson, Great Faith Ministries International, and they sold to California investors...

[@donaldprice9569]

Stop walking in circles and enter the mansion. After a while it becomes boring.

[@PaulWolfert]

Ha. Sorry about that - it's just how it was edited. Luckily you're able to fast forward 😅

[@marynelbalsick4261]

What in the h… did they do to that beautiful house???????

[@spongebobsqueeze]

The place would make a great museum/ hotel. The basement would be perfect for a kitchen live in staff quarters, wine cellar,storage the first floor dining rooms, for inside and outside dining. library , bar the second floor hotel rooms and the third floor would be a great owners apartments.

[@Joanipuuur]

Why would they start all this..if they werent intending on completing it

[@echoecho6445]

If i ever won the lottery id probably buy this home. im local.

[@cathysnyder4786]

A little research before you made this video would have made this much more interesting.

[@brianl.3047]

I grew up right around the block. In the late 70s and early 80s there was a caretaker family that lived there...the Wilkinsons (sp?). George and Eugene were the sons; I forget the daughter's name.

[@PaulWolfert]

I heard that some of the house was devoted to a caretaker family.

[@rachelkriss7872]

I’ve been in the house it’s is beautiful. I used to live in that neighborhood in the 90s. I hope someone buys it and makes it whole again right again. I was there in the 90s at an estate sale . Mostly baskets shoes.

[@PaulWolfert]

That's awesome! Must have been John Salley's estate sale.

[@RBOJCK]

SOME MORONS TORE OUT THE ORIGINAL BATHROOMS AND TILE. I BET IS WAS BEAUTIFUL. I HATE MODERNIZING A HISTORIC HOUSE LIKE THIS. BUT WHO IS GOING TO LIVE THERE NOW? NO ONE . ITS SAD.

[@treatpavon3942]

In the room where the stain glass windows are looks like it may have been a room for church or prayer but I noticed the checker board floors and that reminds me of Freemasonry. I found that interesting. There where a lot of lodges in Detroit back in the day. I don’t know about now.

[@PaulWolfert]

This home was built by the Dodge brothers for the archbishop of Detroit - conveniently right across the street from them so that they could just walk to church.

[@seagoingcook]

designed in the Tudor Revival-style by the Boston architectural firm of McGinnis and Walsh. Construction began by the Fisher Brothers in 1925 and didn’t finish until 1928. Many of the materials for the home were shipped over from Europe, including marble pillars from Sicily and wood from the Black Forest in Germany.

[@anonynony]

Thank you! Wanted that info!

[@afropuertorican8022]

They took all the good stuff out😂😂that is nothing but a MONEY pitt.😂😂😂you would be spending about 20 mil to bring that to life😂

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

FINALLY!!!! Someone with enough brains to NAME AN ACCURATE ESTIMATE!!!

[@JethroBodineWhooWee69]

Meadow Brook Hall is 88,000 square foot built by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of automobile pioneer John Dodge.

[@lancekirkwood7922]

I used to volunteer work there when I was in high school. Awesome house.

[@PaulWolfert]

Meadowbrook is AMAZING. Would love to do a full tour of that one too - The Bishop Mansion is still the largest in Detroit.

[@JethroBodineWhooWee69]

@@PaulWolfert I agree, I don’t care for what they did to the carriage house tho…I mean, yes quality materials but they could of made an effort to find similar materials originally used in the home.

[@lancekirkwood7922]

@JethroBodineWhooWee69 Oakland University owes the mansion, which is supposed to be self-supporting. But as budgets go.....

[@JethroBodineWhooWee69]

@@lancekirkwood7922 Absolutely, they do a wonderful job w/ Meadow Brook…I visit many times. I was referring to the Bishop mansion, they put modern amenities and touches in the carriage house completely devoid of character.

[@chefmichaelgriffin4005]

The basement room with pipes I believe are refrigerator rooms all of the tiled rooms have to do with the kitchen. Main kitchen back in the day would be multiple rooms each doing different task IE: meat cutter, cheese and dairy, bakery etc…

[@califdad4]

I believe it's the Bishop's Mansion, home of the Catholic diocese Bishop. Palmer woods is a beautiful place.

[@PaulWolfert]

Yep! Built for the Bishop by the Fishers brothers. They lived across the street and could walk to church.

[@califdad4]

@@PaulWolfert I remember the fisher family were involved with this huge mansion

[@ds4101]

All that framing in the one wing of the second floor was just incredibly AWFUL! It’s like their design was to make as many tiny rooms as possible. Where are the original plans of the home? The renderings were terrible. Hopefully, the new owner restores this beautiful treasure and doesn’t butcher it. Just heartbreaking. What a disappointment that carriage house is. Needs to be gutted and redone to match the character of the original home.

[@FloatingThroughTheRealm]

The Latin phrase on the other fireplace is Corinthians 10:31- sive ergo manducatis sive bibitis vel aliud quid facitis omnia in gloriam Dei facite. Translation: So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

[@PaulWolfert]

Ah!! Thank you!

[@chrisbeyrand7053]

I normally don't comment on videos but i was in this house after john sally left Detroit a bunch of designers each took a room and decorated it i believe john still owned the house they did a showing after there work was completed the odd shaped room after the primary bedroom was a special area for the priest before he went into the chapel what i remember is beautiful hand made oak drawers there might of been somewhere for the preist to sit i remember red carpet its sad to see that just disgarded when i got to the chaple it was 100 percent complete with johns big screen tv at the alter imagen that all the spaces they took out on the second floor were just a bunch of small rooms thanks for taking me through there to bring back a great memory 😊

[@RG-ct6qz]

John Salley's house. I remember touring it. Must have been the 90s.

[@PaulWolfert]

John Salley bought it for 500K back in the day and lived like the king of Detroit!

[@arrisgordon17]

I believe he was the only bad boy piston to live in Detroit during that era of the 90's ...I remember my saying it was fifty rooms in that Mansion

[@loismasouris4444]

Too bad you didn't do your homework. This was built for Catholic Bishop Gallagher. The carvings on the fireplace are the four Gospel😢writers. The writing is Latin etc., etc.

[@michaeldankert1962]

The writing on the wall “SIVE MANDUCATIS” etc. are bible verses from 1Corinthians 10:31. “Even when thou art employed in eating and drinking, and business of life, thou shalt not design thy bodily profit”. There is more to that. Verse, but you get the idea. Each word grouping is different verse.

[@BlueShirtGirlDad]

The room next to the elevator should hold the mechanism for the elevator. The metal pipe sticking up thru the floor are electrical conduits.

[@PaulWolfert]

That makes sense!!

[@varimarc1]

I can't stop thinking about the cost of heating and cooling. 😮

[@PaulWolfert]

😂😂😂 same. All the fireplaces make sense.

[@PatrickMichaelB]

The budget plan in heating mi cond gas co is 2.170.00 per month x 12 months a year there's no central air but advantage cooling is budget of 1.977.00 per month. Electric about 300.00 ish per month.

[@jjz516]

The big recessed room in the basement, I think, would have been for the boiler/ hot water tanks. To supply enough hot water for the entire house would require substantial sized tanks.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thank you! That makes sense. Really hope I have a chance to check it all out after renovations.

[@WLM596]

It reminds me of Rose Red❤

[@kingblake2490]

💯

[@PaulWolfert]

I can see the similarities 😅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bae9naWiiceomtksi=HaF-whSnwIuYKm-B

[@amberanthony883]

Once you view the sealed bid real estate listing you wonder why a religious individual would need such a sprawling mansion. The new renovation renderings are a hideous insult to this beautiful architecture. We will probably be appalled at the ‘winner’ of this sealed big auction. The grounds are sad, the neighborhood must be annoyed at the decay.

[@janesmith9024]

We have some huge houses like this in the UK too. In the 1800s when people had 10 children at least and loads of servants and lots of guests you needed a lot of space. This one is a bit too big for my liking. It might need perhaps to be a base for someone with a business working from home where a few people could come to work if zoning/planning law allowed but it would be lovely ilf it could also retain some family home element to it too.

[@PaulWolfert]

I agree. It would have been nice to view it while still in one piece. Hopefully I'll be able to return once it's renovated.

[@carollumbar2961]

Translation of Latin is: therefore, whether you eat or drink, or do anything else, do all to the glory of God

[@PaulWolfert]

Thanks!!

[@MinxyMoon]

looks more like a boarding school then a house. But its stunning I'd leave a lot of the original house.

[@tinyb69]

I remember some of the over the top blowouts that "Spider" used to have there, back in the day. The celebration he had for the '89 championship was something that I will always remember. Way cooler than anything that Davidson, or his ilk, ever put on. It's sad to see the place in the condition that it's currently in. Hopefully, the new owners, can stick with the current plans, and keep both the workmanship, and the finances in line, to complete the project to its planned finish. Regarding a lot of those "hidden rooms". Most of those were service access ways. Nothing worse than someone seeing the servantry using the same grand staircase as the Lord's of the Estate. How Tacky!!!😂

[@PaulWolfert]

There's an interview on KZbin of John Salley and Bill Bellamy where they talk about those crazy parties at the Bishop Mansion. Must have been WILD.

[@CFL641]

HaHaHa.. , the U.S.A. is crashing.., It will be a hard sale.. in that location.! In the basement, all the pipes..use to be hot water heating.. that go up all thru the Home.. most of the small areas had utilities for a number of things. The cost to repair and remodel would be massive.., And any one who would live here would be paying out Hundreds of thousands a month..for upkeep monthly. A nightmare.!!

[@minan1354]

The new design was to complete a total of 5 bedroom suites. Too bad it cannot be a hotel where it is located.

[@llotsdeede]

Loved the Bishop Home. Third floor looks like it for maids and butlers. A Bishop would not have children. It appears he was a Catholic Bishop by the chapel, Rea for the altar. The saints, Jesus & Mary Statues in one roo,. Sacred heart of Jesus in the stained window. Looks kind the floor with all the construction was someone making office spaces.

[@minan1354]

The house was being gutted and prepped for future construction per the design approved by the investors who decided they no longer wanted to finish it.

[@AwilsonBLOGME]

31,192 Sq. Ft. Architectural Masterpiece • 12 Bed, 11 Bath • 2,057 Sq. Ft. Guest House is Move-In Ready • Comes with Complete Set of Engineering Plans Ready to Finish • External Utility Features Recently Upscaled • Endless Opportunities to Finish the Mansion to Your Liking • Own an Iconic Piece of Detroit History already been sold at auction ended 5/10/24

[@Rippypoo]

Thanks VERY much for doing just a quiet little tour through a house without having some majestic dirge playing in the background. I hate when other people do that. This is much better.

[@PaulWolfert]

Thank you for noticing!! Drives me crazy when I see overproduced "tours" of homes from other real estate agents. It's impossible to get a real feel for the space. This is how I record private tours for my clients here in Michigan.

[@died4us590]

I live in Michigan, and i can't see anyone with pockets that deep to take on this house. The work done is awful, and it will cost in the millions to restore this house. The roof is the bones of keeping the structure sound, and that will be costly to do right. I think whoever tore the place up, didn't consider plaster and lathe, which requires horse hair in the lime to fix this right. Putting up 2x4's, and modern drywall over everything is awful, hopefully if anyone buys. this place, they will get proper builder's who know this type of restoration. I thank you for the tour, this place is amazing, just not a place i can see many people wanting to gamble on such a huge project. G-d bless.

[@Zan_Chris]

Originally the basement safe would have likely held the sterling silver and alcohol backstock. Upper safes would have been owners safe plus a guest safe for any valuables guests staying the night would have wanted secured.

[@PaulWolfert]

That makes sense! reminds me of a hotel.

[@suzzane.notsusan.1078]

OMG they are covering mural and dumb waiter? This us a travesty what they are doing to this mansion. It shoukd have been listed as a historic building since its only mansion in Detroit this is F'd up

[@kristinasikora5629]

It had a Michigan Historical marker in front of it for years. It was taken down in the last year.

[@suzzane.notsusan.1078]

@@kristinasikora5629 Why? How does one de historicalize (if that's even a word) a historic building if that's what that marker was for

[@CrystalHickerson]

I see this as a luxury B&B. I couldn't even imagine it as a residential home. However, I don't know about the zoning in that area if that would be allowed to have anything commercial. But I see it as like a restaurant downstairs, a spa and just gorgeous bedroom suites upstairs for a B&B.

[@PaulWolfert]

Agreed! Would make a perfect b&b

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

Won't ever happen. Palmer Woods is Detroits' premier historic district and is strictly zoned residential.

[@AMoneyVideo]

No one wants to travel to Detroit to stay in a luxury anything lol. Maybe downtown or metro Detroit. However this is not that.

[@PaulWolfert]

@@greeneyedwarlock882 there are homes in Palmer Woods on Airbnb. Probably can't b&b it "hotel style" but the whole place could be rented nightly.

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

@@PaulWolfert I’d be amazed if that happened because I’m sure the neighbors would scream bloody murder if they knew. That would be a serious downgrading of the neighborhood and the likelihood of someone spending what would have to be at least one thousand dollars a night to make it worth it is, I believe, very very slim.

[@julietarr969]

There is more than likely a roof leak where that mold is on first floor.

[@PaulWolfert]

But there are 2 floors above it.

[@360milliondollars]

Auction... man I was off by one or two numbers for that 1+ Billion dollars lottery... I would get something like this... 12 people lives are changed to become distinguished people from childhood to adulthood.... that is the academy... and we keep pumping out good people... hopefully they stay good... LOL

[@sarahpr8714]

You should have had someone lock you in the safe that would have made a much better video and you would have gotten way more clicks

[@PaulWolfert]

😂 the video is doing just fine.

[@cynthiaweir5697]

The only other mansion I have been in that is comparable to this one is Meadowbrook Hall on the estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson, which she donated to Oakland University in Rochester Hills. That mansion is similar and its design and interior to this one. The builder in those days would travel around the world and use artisans to come and do the work. You can find this kind of craftsmanship in Meadowbrook Hall.

[@len3169]

I can’t believe the amount of nasty and rude comments from obviously ignorant unhappy nasty people….

[@minan1354]

The large laundry facilities would have been downstairs.

[@E-Ryders]

@ 40:00 I believe that was the old "Boiler Room". Looks like they started putting in a modern Furnace and Water Heater etc. They may have had old coal/wood furnaces and had a pile of coal to shovel into it?

[@PaulWolfert]

That would make sense - would need a HUGE space for the old boilers.

[@lawrencelucas45]

Whether you eat two days ago or drank. Do all things for the glory of God. I believe that this is a rough translation of the saying on the mantle.

[@PaulWolfert]

Ahh! Thank you!! Knew someone would figure it out.

[@kila4]

If you google bishops mansion Detroit floor plans…..you can find the floor plan of the place.

[@PaulWolfert]

Found it! Looks like that weird sand space in the basement was a sauna!?

[@JJohnson313]

Wow. I was in this house once when I was kid. It was shortly after John Sally sold it. I tell people about this house all the time. I was like 8 years old at the time so I didn’t even remember when it looked like outside (I’m 42 now) but I remember this super long table on the dinner room with with a button under the table you push for wait staff. My eyes lit up when you said this was John Salley’s house. I was like…this is the place! This is the place! lol. Thanks for this video

[@PaulWolfert]

That's amazing!!

[@lynnkurdi6282]

Detroit MI!! Perfect for Veterans!

[@lilithknight8607]

@lilithknight8607 31 seconds ago The area in the basement that you said you didnt understand was probably a food storage area ie (fruit, veggies, etc). They usually would make a lower area in the basement for it where it would be good and cold.. There was the door right next to it that went outside probably for deliveries and a dumbwaiter was near and the kitchen above it. Ive seen this in a few old mansions. This mansion is beautiful....thanks for the tour

[@nickadams3803]

The 2 small closets that are fluting the main entryway to the home are coat checks from long ago. For large events and gatherings people would enter the home to have their coat/belongings checked by a valet attendants that were sitting down on chairs inside of the closet until the gathering was over!

[@babs36]

😢😢😢😢 why ,just why then to cover up that Beautiful ,swan paint or mural. Piss me off more.. then that ugly ass kitchen design wtf, they should be ashamed of themselves

[@caroljean1005]

Would make a great bed and breakfast. The location is great for visitors who want to see the sites in and around Detroit.

[@PaulWolfert]

I agree 100% - could be amazing if the city allowed it.

[@dfletcher7803]

I personally wouldn't desire to live in such a massive house. Oh! Excuse me, Mansion. That place is hideous.

[@howardkanitz4998]

That yellow plastic hose in the basement is for gas supply lines. Maybe the big piles of dirt were from putting in the new and improved gas lines. Can you imagine how much gas it would take to heat it?

[@PaulWolfert]

The bills would be outrageous!

[@LarcR]

It's a shame what some remodelers do to such beautiful houses. Their definition of "modernizing" too often means sucking out every atom of character and making the interior look as cold and bland as possible.

[@mr.highlandpark3137]

Is that a house or a community college?

[@PaulWolfert]

Ha! Looks like it could be a bit of both.

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

It was built in the 1920's as a "home" for the Arch Bishop of Detroit to entertain and house visiting other Catholic dignitaries, etc.

[@burthoppy]

You have the loudest sneakers ever. Some accurate history on the building, who owned it, why, etc. would make your video more credible and interesting.

[@pambaumann5693]

That was so fun! Thank you for taking us through. Clearly the bishops that lived there back in the day didn’t take the vow of poverty. I’m excited to see how it all turns out and like you, I’d love for them to keep some of the integrity of the original home.

[@staceylang2973]

Just a suggestion don’t repeat yourself so many times otherwise I enjoyed the video

[@Hollywood66]

Paul, My brother was the General Manager in charge of construction, he might have pictures. I’ll ask him.

[@PaulWolfert]

That would be AMAZING. Reach out here: [e-mail]

[@karenlubeck3294]

They didn't retain the beauty of the original design. What a waste.

[@howardkanitz4998]

I think the rooms in the basement were boiler rooms for heating this massive structure

[@PaulWolfert]

That makes sense. I'd love to see what the next owner does with that space!