Old Redford

Old Redford is a walkable, urban district of Detroit with tree-lined streets that fill the neighborhood with color in the spring, summer and fall. It’s also near an historic commercial strip with a few restaurants and a vintage movie house that shows Hollywood classics and independent films. Realtor Ryan Kain of Re/Max, a longtime Detroit resident who has worked all over the city, says the neighborhood is notable for its unique residential architecture. “There are some really nice Craftsman bungalows tucked into the corners of the neighborhood, including some built with stone,” Kain says. “You’ve got a lot of variance in the size and age of the houses here as well, which is not common for Detroit.”

The neighborhood’s leafy streets offer a wealth of early and mid-20th century homes, including eclectic Craftsman homes with wide front porches, steep-roofed Tudor Revival homes, brick bungalows and cozy ranch homes. Lots are typically around 5,000 square feet, so you’ll have plenty of room for landscaping, gardening or the occasional backyard barbecue. And with sidewalks, manicured lawns and trees adorning the streets, it’s got a laidback, suburban vibe that residents love. Some homes in the neighborhood have been well-maintained, while others could use significant upgrades. Prices typically range from around $90,000 to $150,000, although some larger, well-maintained homes have sold for more.

At the southeastern side of the neighborhood, at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Lahser Road, you’ll see the red, white and yellow marquee of The Redford Theatre, a vintage theater in a regal brick building. The theatre opened its doors in 1928 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a great place for a night out, whether you’re seeing It’s a Wonderful Life during the holidays or catching a screening of a 70s classic like Apocalypse Now. There are also a few restaurants nearby like the Old Redford Café & Grill, a downhome breakfast and lunch spot, and Maty’s Cuisine, a West African eatery. For groceries, there’s a Meijer supermarket and a Family Dollar where you’ll find everything you need. Big box stores like Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target and Costco can all be found within about 5 miles of the neighborhood.

After dining out or seeing a matinee, you can get some fresh air at a nearby public green space. James T. Hope Playfield Park is just a short walk or drive away and offers residents lovely paths, a playground and grassy lawns for picnicking. Right next door is Crowell Recreation Center, a local community space where you can take advantage of indoor fitness equipment or take martial arts classes. Just a few blocks away, there’s also Lahser-Clarita Playground, a smaller park with a basketball court.

Students can attend Emerson Elementary-Middle School and Ford High School, both of which hold C-minus ratings from Niche, an online school review site. Students looking for specialty education might prefer to attend Charles Wright Academy of Arts and Science, a magnet school serving kindergarten through eighth grade that holds a B rating from Niche. If you’re looking for the latest long read or if you want to use a public computer, you can head over to the Redford branch of the Detroit Public Library, less than a mile away.

The neighborhood is in the northwest suburbs of the city, but its proximity to major roadways and access to local bus stops makes it easy to get around. Hop on Interstate 96 and it’s about 16 miles to downtown Detroit. If you’re looking for a home in an urban residential district with leafy greenery and nearby amenities, you might want to check the listings in Old Redford.

Written By

Daniel Berti

Photography Contributed By

JC Knopf

Video By

Grace Kim