Aerial View of The Eye Neighborhood showing the lush tree cover.
Looking into Detroit's Eye
The Eye earned its name for good reason. In the early 1980s, neighborhood residents had such a reputation for monitoring potential criminal mischief that the moniker stuck, like a name applied to a superhero. Back then, many residents were city employees such as police officers or firefighters. Because state law no longer requires civic workers to live in the city where they work, those demographics have changed. But The Eye is still a place where city streets have a suburban feel.
Houses thick as a brick
The occupations of homeowners in The Eye may be more varied than they were 40 years ago, but the houses themselves are still solidly made and budget friendly. From ranches to Tudors, Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals, brick is a material frequently seen in The Eye. Vinyl-sided bungalows and ranches also abound. Homes in the neighborhood have sold between $46,000-175,000, though many simply have not hit the market. “There are a handful of people from the old days and a lot of newer residents,” says Valerie Olander, who grew up in The Eye and owns Duffy’s Den bar and restaurant. “It’s a good diversity of people – old-timers and newbies.”
Cottage and craftsman homes line the streets in The Eye Neighborhood
New England colonial-style saltbox home neighbors a brick cottage home in The Eye Neighborhood.
Brick Tudor Homes and Bungalow Homes are plentiful in The Eye. Neighborhood.
Tudor Home with Arched Stone details in The Eye Neighborhood.
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Home to Detroit-famous burgers
Olander’s dad, Red Olander, bought Duffy’s Den in 1983 after retiring from his role as a Detroit deputy fire chief. It remains a major social hub for this predominantly residential neighborhood. Duffy's hamburgers are perhaps the most famous feature of The Eye – its exterior wall claims to have “The Best Burger in Town,” and no one is suing for false advertising. “We’ve been on TV shows,” Olander says. “We get people who come from all over for the burgers. A lot of times, they moved out of the area and come back for a burger when they visit.” For grocery options, residents can go to an Aldi or Spartan Market in neighboring Redford Township, or Darou Salam African Market on Seven Mile Road in Detroit.
Big Box Retailers are available in The Eye.
Big Box Retailers like CVS are available in The Eye.
Dairy Queen in The Eye Neighborhood serves Tasty Treats.
Views Bar and Grill is famous for its Lamb Chops and Cold Drinks in The Eye.
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An unlikely celebration of The Bambino
Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place 15 miles away in Corktown, but residents of The Eye can get there on a bus from Duffy’s Den every year. The bar also hosts one of the most unusual events in Detroit – the Babe Ruth Birthday Bash. Though Ruth has no connection to Detroit other than supplanting Tigers legend Ty Cobb as baseball’s biggest star in the 1920s, the event has taken place for 30 years on the Saturday closest to Ruth’s Feb. 6 birthday. More than 200 enthusiasts of The Sultan of Swat attend the party annually. “The people that put it together redecorate the bar with posters of Babe Ruth, hang streamers with Baby Ruth bars from the ceiling. There’s balloons everywhere,” Olander says. “We supply the Coney dogs.” Ruth himself would surely approve.
Multiple choices available for neighborhood
Residents of The Eye have multiple schools to choose from. Emerson Elementary-Middle School and Henry Ford High, both of which receive C-minus ratings on Niche, are the nearest Detroit Public Schools. Charles Wright Academy of Arts and Science, a DPS magnet school with a B-rating, is even closer to The Eye. Mason-Carver Academy, a C-rated K-8 charter school, and Communications and Arts High, a C-rated magnet school, are also minutes from the neighborhood.
Clippert Multicultural Honors Academy in Southwest Detroit welcomes students from all over.
Western International High School in Southwest Detroit cares for over 1900 students.
Students are challenged to excel at Charles Wright Academy of Arts and Science.
The main entrance to Ford High School in Detroit, MI.
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Revamped recreation
Lodge Elementary, the DPS school which once served The Eye, closed in 2010. For more than a decade, the building was a sad reminder of what was in the neighborhood’s Edward G. Heckel Park. But in 2023, Heckel Park underwent a $750,000 renovation that give it a playground, basketball court, softball field, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, fitness equipment, and long-awaited picnic tables and trash bins. Olander credits the Mortenson Grand River Homeowners Association’s advocacy with the city for the renovations. “It's amazing. We played softball there in the ‘70s, and boy, I wish they had picked the park up back then,” she says. “Because it's really nice.”
Heckel Park Has an outdoor fitness area and walking paths in The Eye Neighborhood.
Heckel Park in The Eye neighborhood has a modern playground and picnic area.
The modern Basketball court at Heckel Park in The Eye Neighborhood.
Walking path and baseball Field at Heckel Park in The Eye Neighborhood .
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Streets where speeders beware
The Eye keeps a close watch on speeders, too. Speed bumps are present throughout the neighborhood’s residential streets. The Eye is somewhat walker friendly, with a walk score of 56/100. Interstate 96 is 3 miles away, and DDOT buses run along Grand River Avenue and Telegraph Road.
The newly rehabilitated Central Station building is a landmark in Detroit.
Ford Motor Company contributes to many job opportunities in the area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Collins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Claude Allison Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Kinloch Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Riordan Park
Edward G Heckel Park
Fargo-Fenton Playground
Transit
Airport
Detroit Metro Wayne County
35 min drive
Bus
Telegraph & Santa Maria
Bus
Telegraph & Curtis
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
The Eye
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Eye, Detroit sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in The Eye, Detroit over the last 12 months is $97,171, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great Investment or Ideal Starter Home! This 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch in Detroit is full of potential for investors or first-time buyers. The open-concept layout creates a bright and airy atmosphere, while the large yard offers plenty of space for outdoor gatherings. Situated in a developing neighborhood, this property is a fantastic opportunity for rental income or homeownership. Sold as-is.
Updated ranch near Grand River and Telegraph. New bathroom, fresh carpet. Detached garage. Full basement. Double driveway. Extra large .19 acre lot. Nice location near the Detroit / Redford border.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Collins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,969
Median Age
33
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.5%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$47,730
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$58,882
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.1%
College Graduates
15.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
38''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
52/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
47/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
