The 1889 John N. Bagley House with Sculptures by Julius Melchers

There is something so joyful about the weight of red sandstone brick. The John N. Bagley House stands on East Jefferson Avenue as a massive, two-and-a-half-story celebration of French Renaissance Revival style. It has a big gable roof and a tower with a conical roof.

Built in 1889 for the son of a former governor, the house was designed by the firm Rogers and MacFarlane. For a long time, people thought it was a work of the famous Richardson firm, but it was designed by Rogers and MacFarlane. It blends French elegance with Richardsonian Romanesque touches, like the massive arch of the entrance and the use of red sandstone brick.

If you look closely at the windows, you can see the work of Julius Melchers, a famous sculptor from the turn of the century. His sculptural elements are woven into the original stained glass. The façade also contains multiple hand-carved fireplaces that have stood through over a century of Detroit life.

Today, the mansion serves as a commercial office building, maintaining its historic features and character. It has lived many lives, from a high-end bridal shop and event venue to its current role as a workspace. You can still feel the history in the walls as people go about their daily business inside.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons