Brewster Homes
Neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan
Wayne County 48201
B Neighborhood Grade
6.7 Neighborhood Score
$91,872
Average Value
$96
Average Price per Sq Ft
A Legacy Carved in Concrete and Courage in Wayne County’s 48201
Just north of Detroit in the 48201 ZIP code, lies one of Detroit’s most historic residential districts: Brewster Homes.
The former site of the Brewster-Douglass Projects, Brewster Homes stands as a national historic landmark: It was the first federally funded public housing complex for African Americans in the United States.
Developed between 1935 and 1955, the Brewster-Douglass development originally represented urban progress, providing quality housing for working-class Black families when such opportunities were rare.
Over the decades, the neighborhood would also be the emblem of American public housing policy change.
Today, Brewster Homes is writing a new chapter – a return to community-building with a strong dose of historic reverence and modern investment.
Brick by Brick: Rebuilding in 48201
The actual Brewster Homes development was rebuilt in 1994 with 250 two-bedroom townhouses.
The new homes were more sustainable and livable than their high-rise cousins.
Each unit includes:
- Full basements
- Washer and dryer hookups
- Updated kitchens and interiors
- Modern floor plans designed with families in mind
Rental rates vary between $100 and $1,400 per month, based on household size and income. The units are managed by HUD guidelines and offer stable, subsidized housing in prime locations near downtown Brush Park and Midtown.
Embedded in National Memory
No place in Detroit is as culturally and politically important as the Brewster-Douglass Projects.
Here’s a breakdown of some of its most iconic moments:
1935: The site of a groundbreaking ceremony featuring First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
1940s-1960s: Home to jazz musicians, laborers, and Motown legends like Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson.
1970s-1980s: Federal neglect, mismanagement, and rising crime led to a rapid decline.
1990s-2014: The original high-rise towers were partially demolished and then completely removed.
These towers were more than just shelters; they were cultural symbols, and their absence today creates a vacuum that redevelopment efforts are trying to fill.
From Rubble to Renewal: Redevelopment Vision
Though the last towers were demolished in 2014, District 5 leaders and developers have begun making ambitious plans to rehabilitate Brewster’s 22-acre footprint.
Key initiatives include:
- The Sanctuary at Brewster: A 52-unit development providing permanent supportive housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- More than 900 planned mixed-income units, including market-rate apartments, affordable housing, for-sale condos and townhomes.
- Public parks and green infrastructure aim to restore walkability and community engagement.
- Retail and commercial development, including grocery stores, cafes, and workforce training centers.
The master plan also includes a revival of the Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center, a former neighborhood gathering place that developers hope to turn into a culinary arts training facility, restaurant, and event venue.
Community Building—A New Era
Demolition aside, the Brewster area never lost its community feel, and residents, activists, and former tenants have not stopped believing that redevelopment is possible.
What is emerging today is a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood built on equity and heritage.
Just steps from Brush Park, Comerica Park, and the QLine, the neighborhood is becoming a livable, connected space designed for long-term viability, especially with Downtown Detroit, Eastern Market, and the Medical Center all just a short drive away.
In short: It is a neighborhood with roots, rhythm, and endless potential.
Honoring the Past, Housing the Future
Brewster Home represents more than just real estate – it is a living testament to Detroit’s racial, architectural, and cultural history.
Although the old towers are all gone now, their legacy is felt at every redevelopment meeting, in every restored building, and in every resident who once called it home.
Few spaces evoke the complexity and hope of Detroit’s renaissance quite like the 48201 ZIP code / Brewster Homes in District 5.
It is where the past is honored, the present is lived, and the future is built – one townhome at a time.
Agents Specializing in this Area
Schools
No Schools found.
Transit
Airport
Detroit Metro Wayne County
Bus
Gd River & Shiawassee
Bus
7 Mile & Telegraph
Bus
7 Mile & Glenhurst
Bus
7 Mile & Riverview
Bus
Telegraph & Grand River
Bus
Gd River & Riverview
Bus
Gd River & Grayfield
Crime and Safety
| 1 – Low Crime, 10 – High Crime | Brewster Homes | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 7 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Brewster Homes Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Brewster Homes, Detroit sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Brewster Homes, Detroit over the last 12 months is $93,711, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
| Median Price (12 Mo) | Median Single Family Price | Average Price Per Sq Ft | Number of Homes for Sale |
| $96,000 | $85,000 | $96 | 4 |
| Last 12 months Home Sales | Months of Supply | Median List Price | Median Discount From 1st List Price |
| 17 | 2.80 | $89,900 | 0% |
| Median Home Sale Price YoY Change | |||
| 19% |
Home Facts
| Number of Homes in Neighborhood | Median Year Built |
| 627 | 1951 |
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
No listings found.
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Average Home Value
Property Mix – Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
| Total Population | Median Age | Population Density | Population under 18 On par with the national average |
| 2,547 | 41 | 8 ppl/acre | 23.6% 23.8% |
| Population over 65 On par with the national average | |||
| 19.4% 19.1% |
Finances
| Median Household Income Significantly below the national average | Average Household Income |
| $33,399 $71,702 | $36,902 |
Education and Workforce
| High School Graduates | College Graduates Below the national average | Advanced Degrees | % Population in Labor Force Below the national average |
| 87.9% | 13.9% 34.1% | 2.6% | 51.5% 65.1% |
Weather
| Annual Precipitation | Average Winter Low Temperature | Average Summer High Temperature | Annual Snowfall |
| 30” | 20°F | 83°F | 38” |
Area Factors
45
/ 100
47
/ 100
51
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
