Circa 1928 Architect R. Arthur Bailey-Designed Tudor Revival in Detroit’s Palmer Woods

19391 Suffolk Dr, Detroit, MI 48203

If you are like me and you believe that houses reached their peak in the 1920s, then you need to catch your breath before looking at this one. There are beautiful homes, and then there are “Masterpieces.” This home on Suffolk Drive is a true Tudor Revival giant, sitting in Detroit’s famous Palmer Woods. It was built in 1928, a year when craftsmanship was at its absolute highest level. It isn’t just a house; it’s a castle built for the legends of industry, and now it’s waiting for a new owner to carry on its story.

The architect who designed this home, R. Arthur Bailey, really knew how to make a statement. The outside is made of rich red brick with beautiful limestone around the doors and windows. When you look closely, you can see stone carvings and heraldic symbols that make the house look like it was transported straight from the English countryside. The leaded glass windows are simply stunning; they catch the light in a way that modern windows never could. It is the kind of house that makes you feel important just standing in the driveway.

The moment you step inside the front door, you are greeted by a grand foyer with real marble flooring. It feels like stepping into a luxury hotel from the Jazz Age. The plaster ceilings are not just flat surfaces; they are ornate and decorated with beautiful patterns. Everywhere you look, you see marble base trim and original woodwork that has been cared for for nearly 100 years. The foyer features a sweeping staircase with brass spindles that draws your eye upward, hinting at the many floors of history waiting to be explored.

For those of us who love old houses, a paneled library is the ultimate “must-have.” This home features a beautifully paneled room that is perfect for a quiet afternoon of reading or hosting an elegant meeting. The wood is warm and dark, creating a cozy feeling even though the room is large. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to put away your phone, grab a real book, and enjoy the silence.

This home is truly massive, with over 12,000 square feet of living space. On the second floor, you find five large bedrooms. The best part? Every single one of them has its own private bathroom (en-suite) and its own walk-in closet. This was very rare in 1928 and shows how high-end this home was when it was built. No one has to share a bathroom here! The third floor adds even more space with three additional bedrooms and two more bathrooms, plus a giant room that would be perfect for a home theater or a playroom. There is even a walk-in cedar closet to keep your favorite clothes safe.

While the upper floors are elegant and formal, the basement is where the fun happens. It features a classic English-style pub bar that looks like it belongs in London. There is a billiards room for playing pool and a huge “great room” with terrazzo floors. If you want to stay healthy, there is a home gym, a sauna, and even a jacuzzi right there in the basement. There is also plenty of room for a wine cellar if you are a collector. It is the ultimate space for entertaining friends and family.

Outside, the property feels like a private park. The 0.52-acre lot is perfectly landscaped with mature trees and a winding driveway that leads to a massive four-car garage. In the summer, you can spend your days by the private swimming pool. It is very hard to find a historic home in the city with its own pool and this much privacy. It’s the perfect spot for summer barbecues or just relaxing in the sun.

When you buy this house, you are joining a list of very important people. This home was once owned by Marvin E. Coyle, who was the president of Chevrolet back in the 1930s. It was also owned by Fred Sanders Jr., whose family started the famous Sanders Confectionery (the people who made the famous hot fudge!). Later, it was home to Lawrence and Judith Doss, who were big leaders in the Detroit community. This house has always been a place where leaders lived, and you can feel that “power” in every room.

Palmer Woods is one of the most beautiful and safe neighborhoods in Detroit. It has its own private security and even provides snow removal for the roads in the winter. You are just minutes away from the Detroit Golf Club and the fun shops and restaurants in Ferndale and Birmingham. Plus, the house is eligible for tax abatements, which is a great way to save money while owning a historic treasure.

At $1,550,000, you are paying about $123 per square foot for a mansion that is a work of art. To build a house like this today, with the marble, the brass, and the hand-carved stone, would cost many millions of dollars. It is a rare chance to own one of the most famous homes in one of the best neighborhoods in the country. It is a house for someone who wants to live in history, not just read about it.

This Tudor Revival is waiting for someone who loves the details—the leaded glass, the plaster ceilings, and the hidden pub in the basement. It is a home that was built to last forever, and it’s ready for its next 100 years.

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