Thompson Home

Thompson Home at 4756 Cass Avenue is a four-story Victorian structure with an 80-foot (24 meter) tower and symmetrical bay windows across its front face. The building displays classic features of this style with elaborate brickwork and decorative stone elements.

David Thompson, a Detroit businessman, provided funding to establish this facility for elderly women that opened in October 1884. The property later shifted to different uses, reflecting the city's changing needs over time.

The building displays Victorian design principles from the 1880s through its elaborate brickwork, painted trim bands, and detailed stone carvings between floors. These crafted details show the care and investment that Detroit's business owners put into their structures.

Wayne State University has used the building since 2017 as student housing with space for around 65 residents from various academic programs. The interior underwent thorough renovation while the exterior Victorian features were kept.

The building passed through several distinctly different purposes: from an elderly women's home to a faculty club to a social work school. This varied history shows how Detroit's important structures adapted to new generations and needs.

Location: Detroit

Architects: George D. Mason

Architectural style: Victorian architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.35500,-83.06583

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48