Step Inside Detroit's Most Exquisite Mansion: The Hecker House

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Location: Detroit, MI
Step inside the Hecker House, the former home of railroad president Frank J. Hecker, and marvel at the grandeur of this 21,000 square foot limestone palace. Discover the fascinating history behind this chateauesque-style mansion and see how it has been meticulously restored to its former glory.
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Detroit Public Library
CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Andrew Jameson
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music form Epidemic Sound

[@marcyking461]

Given the fact they don't build them like this anymore, it is refreshing to see some of the Architectural wonders of the Guilded and Victorian Ages restored and preserved. Too many of these spectacular buildings have been lost to time, which is heartbreaking to say the least.

[@crotchwolf1929]

Woodward avenue from present day I75 to the boulevard used to be flanked by the biggest, most elaborate mansions during the 19th century. Only 5, including this one, remain today.

[@mournettab6128]

The little girl had a dream bedroom!! Although so ornate, it was a home that was lived in and loved for decades by the family.

[@Kyfordman1989]

It is so nice that the house of that grander is still standing today

[@carolwalters7069]

So familiar with such beautiful architecture. Such elegant beauty does not exist in today's architecture. Modern buildings are cold and unwelcoming. There's a lot positive to be said for such beauty and the time period in which it was built. Hopefully some of it, from wherever it is sitting, can be preserved for future generations to see and cherish. 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@geoffreyselvage1673]

Thanks Ken for the Detroit spotlight. I worked four blocks from this gem for 20 years. Charfoos & Christiansen was the law firm that lovingly held this home for many years.

[@laliz7025]

I never knew that.

[@deb53]

I love the house, and I'm so glad that the house was restored to it's early splendor and is used today.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Me, too 🏰

[@LJB103]

At one time Woodward Avenue was also a "Millionaires' Row" in Detroit. Unfortunately most mansions are now long gone.

[@laliz7025]

So was "The Boulevard". My doctor's office was in one of the old mansion on Grand Boulevard - long past its heyday

[@pyrexmaniac]

Woodward was Detroit's singular "grand avenue."

[@laliz7025]

@@pyrexmaniac Grand Blvd was a boulevard and it was grand.

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

Ken should do a video or tour of the Kresge House, on Woodward & Boston. It's been for sale for the last 4 or 5 years now.

[@rickprusak9326]

Woodward Avenue is no longer called "Millionaires Row." Its now called "Billionaires Row" because of the FIG families building up the Downtown area of Detroit along Woodward Ave. The FIG families are identified as (F)ord, (I)llitch, and (G)ilbert. Instead of ornate homes, the FIG families are building or restoring HUGE buildings and stadiums 🏟 to glorify their wealth and family prominence in Detroit's elite society.

[@oltedders]

Always excited to find out at the end of the presentation that the house was spared the wrecking ball! Thanks Ken for another great video.

[@Emily_Paris]

Same for me

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I was so happy when you snuck in a contemporary color photo so that I knew that this amazing structure survived Detroit’s decline!

[@andrewbrendan1579]

A terrific house. It's grand and big, but not gaudy or tacky ---and it's still standing. I'll take the tower sitting room off of Mr. Hecker's bedroom. That would be my little library and I would have a writing table there also.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Sounds good 🏰

[@pmn2821]

At least it was saved. Loved the dining room and foyer.

[@tgill2943]

Fairy tale towers, what's not to love. An idyllic playroom for a child. Nice study too. I wonder what the views were like from way up there.

[@crotchwolf1929]

I'd love to see you guys come and do David Whitney Jr's mansion, Ford's Detroit mansion, the Fisher Brother's mansions and Charles Lang Freer's mansion.

[@ThisHouse]

Hi Motown Cowboy, Thank you so much for the suggestions! We have been collecting photos and history for the Freer Mansion. These videos take months to put together as we aggregate photo licenses and research, but rest assured that we will be covering it in the near-ish future. We covered Henry Ford’s Mansion in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4CVe4FmfahrnNU Cheers! -Ken

[@crotchwolf1929]

@@ThisHouse You guys didn't cover the house I'm referring to. It stands on the corner of Edison St and 2nd Ave in Detroit. They lived there from 1908 till Fairlane was completed.

[@crotchwolf1929]

@@ThisHouse A little tip for the Freer Mansion. The Detroit Institute of Arts has the original floor plans and architectural drawings for the house. I can send you a link to the plans in the museum's digital library.

[@ThisHouse]

@@crotchwolf1929 oh! I don’t think anyone has ever asked us to profile that house. I will add it to my list of homes to look into. Thank you for clarifying, cheers!

[@ThisHouse]

@@crotchwolf1929 I would love to compare them to the HABS drawings to see if they are the same plans or if there are additional drawings I haven’t acquired yet. Email [e-mail] to share the link.

[@christinegruenberg3120]

Thank goodness they restored it.

[@dianacanales2526]

It is wonderful to see this beautiful mansion saved, restored, and in use today in Detroit. I love that the original owners made good use of the tower rooms. Stunning details everywhere! Thanks for sharing with us. Great video!

[@monkeygraborange]

The exterior looks like a child’s drawing of a castle!

[@dianetheisen8664]

🏰

[@marciafallon7653]

Each room in these old mansions is like a museum of craftsmanship and artistry. I would love to explore each one for hours!

[@donchandler755]

Thankfully, the Hecker House has been preserved. I am constantly amazed at the work of the craftsmen who created these wonders.

[@amyjones8114]

The marble and onyx fireplace that would glow was my fav. I can just imagine it!

[@04straw]

I'm delighted to see it hasn't been torn down!

[@bettesmith1117]

I enjoyed this. Thanks.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I love the ornate ceiling!!! ,👍👍🙂

[@SpanishEclectic]

I love those 'chateau' style homes. When I was a girl, about 10 years old, I was obsessed with the idea of a turret room with a window seat, with a view of the ocean. Must have read about one in a story. I have to say I'm always impressed with the gorgeous carved arches and coffered ceilings in those stately mansions. Glad this one escaped the wrecking ball!!

[@user-jq8xu6sc4p]

Thank you for making such a comprehensive video of my great-grandfather's home.

[@cassandraralph5906]

Brilliantly designed and decorated house, and not too big either. I am very pleased that this house has been preserved so well. 😀

[@jameshughes525]

Frank had good taste and a great beard to boot

[@terrymenz5838]

Ken, something you might consider is sharing your knowledge of architecture and history with a local college or university. They often have non-credit community classes for adults. My husband and I have done these talks on astronomy topics which were well received. We include telescope viewing but yours could have a local tour as a finale! You certainly have the ability to capture an audience!

[@elizabethwilliamsedmonds3907]

My Grandmother grew up in the carriage house. Her parents, John and Addie Batty worked as chauffeur, gardeners, and my grandmothers two brothers were in charge of lighting 13 fireplaces eh morning before school.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

An onyx fireplace 💖💖💖

[@jenpink4298]

I always wanted a tower room

[@dianetheisen8664]

Me, too🏰‼️

[@grandmaoldschool7011]

Hello from Detroit. Please do more Detroit homes.

[@dianetheisen8664]

I agree

[@jillatherton4660]

Un plus beau chateau. 😄👍

[@ladyhonor822]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤☦️ AMEN Philadelphia USA 🇺🇲❤️💋🩰🥂🍻🎶🎶🎶🐦🌎🌹 except Putin and Trump.

[@ladyhonor822]

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🐦🌎🌹🧹🧹🧹🧹👑🙏🙀 FRANK SINATRA SID VICIOUS RIP ANGELS 🙏🌄🍳 I DID IT MY WAY❤

[@ladyhonor822]

It's just my personal opinion lol 😂❤. It's true... Less is more!!!🌄

[@bronwynj5194]

In perfect taste, not overdone, a bit grand but cosy too ❤

[@lauraguida8482]

Well done story about this Detroit treasure! On the other side of Michigan is the Hackley & Hume Historic Site in Muskegon, where 2 lumber barons built their homes with a shared carriage house in between them. If you enjoy wood details and carvings, I highly suggest you check them out. Both are very different and well worth touring if you are in the area.

[@ThisHouse]

Thank you for the suggestion, cheers!

[@gojenny1233]

This so wonderfully romantic. Thank you so much for taking me back in time.

[@starbaby_DC]

So happy to see this one....well done!!!

[@whitneymarie9064]

I live across the street from this house and it’s beautiful! Never knew the history!

[@vickilindberg6336]

It reminds me of what is now the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. If you haven't covered it yet, you should. While in town, you could do Summit Avenue in St. Paul.

[@jeffpetrie7744]

Another fantastic episode, Ken! Thank you.

[@clairwaucaush7225]

It would be nice to see some current photos of the inside, in color.

[@dianetheisen8664]

I wish it was open for tours

[@LoLoLifeinFlorida]

Stunning

[@KhalidMahmood-wm1qz]

I am sooo glad this house was saved and brought back to it's original.becausr so many amazing homes have been demolished for new progress that it breaks my heart.thank Ken for bringing us these awsome videos.i get to see the awesome work of art but also the history and lives of the people who built and then occupied them

[@spinnetti]

That place is still awesome today. Wish I could have seen the inside in person.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video!

[@dougsteele5104]

Freer house right next door on Ferry is also amazing

[@kendranewton9071]

The ceilings are gorgeous.

[@mortlowe9366]

Wow, I had to watch this, as my son is a hecker! But from northern California.

[@steelman86]

I wanted to go back to the start and count the times the narrator said: " here we will find", but I didn't have the energy To do so!!! Great interior photos though!!!

[@rickyt3961]

thanks!

[@carolhawley7081]

Just toured Rosemount in Pueblo CO. Incredible property, NY architect, amazing Tiffany fixtures, such thoughtful design for a high desert mansion home. .please review, original and intact to 1863. Fantastic tour!

[@jrgnc1]

Because everyone needs a 21,000 sq, ft. house.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Right❓️

[@brucebeamon5460]

Thanks for the tour ! But I was hoping that the photos would have been in color .. especially since it had been fully restored to its original design 😒

[@MrLookitspam]

I love the kitchens and bathrooms larders the working parts of the hiuse

[@ladyhonor822]

Thank you Detroit Rock City !!!🌹 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Philadelphia USA 🇺🇲 AMEN ☦️🙏😇💋 Hey Doll 🪆.

[@ladyhonor822]

Temple University. Stay silly 🤣😜

[@ladyhonor822]

LONG LIVE MY ICON ♾️🌎👑 ACE FREHLEY FOREVER AND EVER AMEN ☦️❤️🙏😇💋

[@paco7992]

Are you on drugs?

[@poksnee]

LOL, it is hard to imagine. Detroit...that's where I want to live.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Come on over‼️

[@scottburbridge3170]

unfortunate St Louis and Detroit now lay in waste. blessings the home was restored and is still cared for.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Not as large, but another town in waste is Gary, Indiana. Part of my family lived there for many years and I was born there, but I have no intention of ever going back.

[@crotchwolf1929]

This house sits in Midtown, just a stone's throw from the Detroit Institute of Arts. Apartments in this neighborhood tend to go from $800 for a basic studio to $2,000 for a two bedroom apartment.

[@juliepaul9563]

I lived right around the corner from this house in the 70's while attending Wayne. The neighborhood was dicier then... Today, Midtown is very desirable. Detroit is having a renaissance. Please do the Whitney mansion. It's a restaurant now, lovingly maintained and restored.

[@wam44]

Great house as always from this This House...No bathrooms?

[@bruehlmannfabian]

Can you please make a video of the Eaton Hall from England?

[@ThisHouse]

Thank you for the suggestion, cheers!

[@bruehlmannfabian]

@@ThisHouse always my pleasure👍🏻

[@SQBfromOB]

I LOVE DETROIT #Iam313

[@squorly]

So much cleaning though

[@pyrexmaniac]

The "low profile dome" is known architecturally as a 'saucer dome.'

[@stevenhulkow1027]

you are corect and it is acoustically perfect. Paul Smiley would put the concert grand pianos in that room that were for sale

[@rbsmith3365]

I know where is Woodward Street. So beautiful. And today new mansions does not have any music rooms or library or men’s smoking room and something like that.

[@Dallas_K]

Woodward Avenue.

[@Msangel06]

I like how the background music is low. Some videos have music playing too loud they it’s distracting.

[@colleen6890]

Bishop mansion is being renovated in palmer park

[@mikedrown2721]

'Lectric lights 😂

[@beachbum4691]

My real favourite is that the mansion was acknowledged as being a consequence; both of itself as a structure and to Detroit as a city., After that would come the dining room; and an architect aware that not all rooms need to be over-the-top?. :)

[@myperspective5091]

👍🏆👍

[@lonwaslien104]

I thought the rooms in the turrets were very cool.

[@jeanbaker2087]

Fave=daughters tower playroom & bedroom. 😊

[@davidhjortnaes2000]

No interior shots in color?

[@TaylorJohnson1]

Are there any architects that build this way anymore?

[@rebeccabinnosavage]

I’m a Detroiter and past tour guide for the Hecker House. Terrific job on your video history. (The sound cut off several times though)

[@ThisHouse]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for the feedback, we will look into it. Cheers!

[@dulcimama]

Is this the house where Baldwin pianos were sold in the 50s-70s?

[@stevenhulkow1027]

yes.

[@user-mv9es7fr9n]

@@stevenhulkow1027 Thanks for confirming. I was there when I was seven years old (1954) when my parents bought a Baldwin Acrosonic (back when that was a very good piano).

[@Jesse-lu7bt]

Test it fown

[@kristinebailey6554]

A damned shame that Wayne State has ownership now.

[@the23rdbryan]

The very 1st sentence in this vid is you insulting the one city I most proudly called home and love dearly. Detroit is given a bad reputation by people encouraging negative opinions without knowledge. Yes, it has struggled in the past as many cities have. Its also been a beacon of change and going thru some incredibly major positive changes now. Please don't describe it in a way that automatically assumes its a bad place.

[@asylumlover]

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, AT LEAST IT'S STILL THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANOTHER NON-DEMOLITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dixierosaasen4431]

6 minutes video and 3 minutes to get inside …why do I even go there

[@cdnamerican9646]

Tartarian building.

[@MostlyPonies1]

Why do the portrait photos look like they were made with AI?

[@Losttouchjs]

I wonder what happened 😂

[@drinny26]

Detroit? So it’s worth about $5-6,000? 😂

[@crotchwolf1929]

Wayne State bought the mansion for 2.3 Million in 2014.

[@stevenhulkow1027]

it is apparent you have never been to Detroit.

[@akpeagles]

We all know who ruined our city😢

[@peanut422hb]

Tents and horses, primitive people didn't build these houses. The powers that be can make up anything and the people will be educated (brainwashed) to believe it.

[@scrapiron1952]

👍 NICE ❤

[@mgithaiga1]

Nice video I wish we had this kind of architecture in Nairobi, Kenya

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

This is not, repeat not Detroit’s most exquisite home. It is fabulous, for sure however it’s not “The most glamorous”. I live in the area and am an Independent Professional Photographer and have shot and been in a number of incredible historic Detroit homes.

[@brucebeamon5460]

But it IS ONE of its most beautiful that is not tucked away in a neighborhood that can been seen by all that travel down its Main Street along with 4 other Mansions ( according to the narrator ) on this same street.. 2 others come to my mind !