Price Drop! 1925 Bishop Gallagher Residence Selling For $1 Million

19366 Lucerne St, Highland Park, MI 48203

In the heart of historic Palmer Woods sits one of Detroit’s most storied properties: the Bishop Mansion at 19366 Lucerne Street in Highland Park. Listed for sale at $1,000,000, this Tudor Revival estate, built in the 1920s, represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a buyer or realtor who wants to take on a landmark of Detroit real estate. With 35,029 square feet of interior space across four full levels, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and more than two gated acres, it stands as one of the largest single-family houses in the Midwest and a rare chance to shape a historic home into a showpiece for the modern era.

Originally constructed for Bishop Michael J. Gallagher, the mansion embodies the grandeur of early 20th-century architecture, blending Gothic and Tudor Revival details with the craftsmanship of Detroit’s boom years. Its stone façade, leaded glass windows, and steeply pitched roofs evoke a European estate transplanted to Michigan. For decades, the house served as a private residence and later as a retreat, and today it offers a blank canvas for restoration. Buyers searching for a house for sale that combines history, scale, and potential will recognize the extraordinary opportunity here.

The property includes a carriage house and attached garage that have already been restored and renovated, providing a glimpse of what is possible throughout the main home. This secondary structure showcases how original elements can be married to modern updates—an inspiring example for the next phase of the mansion’s rebirth. For a realtor or investor, it demonstrates to prospective buyers that the vision for this estate is achievable, with the potential to create one of the premier residences in the region.

Inside the main house, strategic demolition has already been completed to prepare for a full HVAC redesign as well as updated plumbing and electrical systems. This thoughtful groundwork spares the new owner the disruptive early stages of renovation. Architectural plans are included, providing a roadmap for transforming the space into a modern-functioning estate while preserving its historic character. All back taxes have been paid, removing yet another obstacle for those ready to take on the project. Among the homes currently listed in Detroit real estate, few offer this combination of heritage, scale, and a head start on modernization.

One of the most remarkable original features of the house is its private chapel. With soaring ceilings, intricate stained glass, carved stone detailing, and wood paneling, the chapel reflects a level of craftsmanship seldom seen in residential architecture. It is one of the few residential chapels of its kind in the region, underscoring the mansion’s historical significance. Imagine restoring this space to its former glory, creating a concert hall-style music room, or transforming it into an artist’s studio or library. The flexibility of the interior layout allows for many interpretations while preserving the home’s singular identity.

Throughout the mansion, multiple limestone fireplaces, grand woodwork, and dramatic formal spaces remain intact, waiting to be revived. Original plaster details, sweeping staircases, and large leaded-glass windows contribute to the sense of timelessness. This is not just a house for sale but a piece of living history—a chance to preserve and adapt a nearly 40,000-square-foot estate in one of Detroit’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Realtors and investors alike can market the property not simply as a residence but as a legacy project for a buyer who values craftsmanship, authenticity, and historical importance.

The grounds of the Bishop Mansion extend over 2.06 acres, a rarity within Highland Park and Detroit proper. Gated and private, the estate offers mature trees, open lawns, and the potential for extensive gardens or outdoor entertaining spaces. Its size allows for amenities such as a pool, tennis courts, or sculpture garden, making it an ideal retreat while remaining minutes from the Detroit Golf Club and Downtown Detroit. This combination of space, privacy, and proximity to urban amenities elevates it beyond typical homes for sale in the area.

What makes the Bishop Mansion unique in the Detroit real estate market is not only its sheer scale but also the stage of its renovation. Rather than inheriting decades of deferred maintenance, the new owner steps into a property already prepped for modern infrastructure. This provides a rare opportunity to install state-of-the-art systems—geothermal heating and cooling, smart home wiring, or luxury finishes—without compromising the historic envelope. With architectural plans included, the buyer can move forward immediately with a comprehensive renovation or adapt the plans to suit a new vision.

For a prospective homeowner, developer, or realtor specializing in historic estates, the Bishop Mansion represents a blend of romance and practicality. Romance in its soaring chapel, sweeping staircases, and carved stonework. Practicality in the cleared interior spaces, paid taxes, and documented plans for reconstruction. This mansion sells not only square footage but a narrative—one of Detroit’s past grandeur and its present revival.

The property’s location in Palmer Woods adds another layer of desirability. This historic district is renowned for its large homes, tree-lined streets, and architectural diversity. Owning a home here connects you to a community of residents who have invested in preserving Detroit’s architectural heritage. With the city experiencing a cultural resurgence, properties like this are increasingly sought after by buyers interested in distinctive homes for sale rather than standard new construction.

Because of its scale and configuration, the mansion could also be adapted beyond a single-family home. Boutique hotel, cultural center, corporate retreat, or luxury rental residence are all possibilities. Its 12 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms provide inherent flexibility, and its chapel and grand public rooms offer dramatic venues for events. In a real estate market hungry for creative reuse of historic structures, this estate presents multiple pathways to value.

Yet despite its possibilities, the mansion retains a strong sense of place and history. Its Tudor Revival façade and secluded grounds invite a restoration that celebrates its origins while bringing it fully into the 21st century. Realtors and preservationists alike recognize that properties of this caliber rarely come up for sale, making this a landmark listing in Detroit real estate.

As the next chapter of the Bishop Mansion awaits, the future owner steps into more than just a house. They inherit a story that began a century ago and continues to unfold, offering them the chance to leave their own mark on one of Detroit’s grandest estates. Listed at $1,000,000, the home is priced to reflect both its extraordinary size and the renovations already underway, making it one of the most compelling houses currently on the market.

This is not simply a sale of bricks and mortar but an invitation to create a masterpiece—an estate that could stand as a showpiece for another hundred years. In a city known for its architectural treasures, the Bishop Mansion shines as a beacon for visionary buyers, realtors seeking a legacy listing, and anyone drawn to the challenge of reviving a true mansion. The opportunity to restore, reimagine, and reclaim such a property is exceedingly rare, and for those who recognize its potential, the Bishop Mansion represents the pinnacle of Detroit real estate for sale today.

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