Why a $9 Million Detroit Mansion Just Sold for $800K—and What Its New Owner Plans To Do With It

One of the most renowned homes in Detroit, Bishop Mansion—a grand, 35,029-square-foot brick and lime estate—has just sold for $800,000 after originally being listed for $9 million.

One might think this is a sad story of a mega price cut, but it has the happiest of endings—or new beginnings, if you will.

The property, Motor City's largest, was built in the 1920s and once owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, serving as the home of Catholic Bishop Michael Gallagher.

The estate fell into grave disrepair, with seemingly staggering restoration costs. But Calvin Gee, 35, a former Michigan resident who is currently an Austin, TX-based angel investor, rode into Motown on a proverbial white tech stallion, with the intent of restoring the mansion to its former glory and helping to build the local tech economy in the process.

Gee grew up in West Bloomfield, graduated from the University of Michigan, and was well aware of the Bishop Mansion, as was almost every longtime Detroit resident. It sits on 2 acres in the lofty Palmer Woods neighborhood, where Detroit movers and shakers have lived for over a century.

Real estate investor and local culture pundit Greg Russell went to high school nearby, and says that the neighborhood was the famous domain of those who made the city, from automobile magnates to Motown stars to legendary professional athletes.

It's natural to assume, when hearing about the mansion's drastic price cut, that the neighborhood has degenerated and the home values have plummeted. But not so here, according to Russell.

"The mansions in the area would put Beverly Hills to shame," he says. "It's still one of the city's most upscale areas. It's just that restoration costs on this particular home are daunting, and then the cost to run a house of that size is also intimidating."

Gee has big plans for the mansion, which features 12 bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, six half baths, and a restored carriage house and garage. It includes restoration work that would accommodate a personal residence and an innovation hub.

He intends to move into the mansion full time and relocate his company, Engage, from Austin to Detroit.

"Detroit has always been part of my story," says Gee. "Whether it was my work with the Autism Alliance of Michigan or my time on Mojo in the Morning radio and the community work we did there, this city shaped who I am.

"Now I’m bringing Engage home—world-class AI and robotics innovation and real job opportunities for Detroit," he says.

"The Bishop House is a statement of my commitment to this city and my belief in its future. I plan to preserve the rich history and character of the mansion while modernizing it so it will last another century. I'm taking just as much care in restoring this property as I am in building my company here. This isn't an investment—it’s a homecoming."

The mansion has had several prominent owners, not all of them as deeply committed to the community, however.

In addition to the Catholic Church, Detroit Pistons great John Salley purchased it in 1989, reportedly saying he needed a house with at least 10-foot ceilings. It was transferred in 1995 to Great Faith Ministries International. Later, in 2017, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, founder of Impact Network, sold the estate to a California investor for more than $2.5 million.

Ownership and sales prices after that become a bit complicated, according to the Detroit Free Press. It was listed for sale at $9 million in 2023, then dropped to $1 million.

At that point, according to Russell, who worked as a home tour guide, he would say, "See that mansion? It's listed for $1 million. At that price and size, we could all go in on it, move in, and never have to see each other!"

Listing photos reveal that while many parts of the mansion were crumbling, it still had beautiful historical features like vast rooms with soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate custom woodwork and staircases, original marble surfaces, stained glass windows, a private chapel, carved stonework and limestone fireplaces.

The home also featured dumbwaiters and an elevator shaft, as were required in elegant mansions of that time period.

But alas, the HVAC system had pretty much been demolished, plumbing and electrical systems were beyond repair, the roof needed to be replaced, and there was visible scarring throughout. It was put up for auction in 2024, and while the bids were sealed, a warranty deed recorded Oct. 28, 2024, showed a sale price of $400,000.

Gee was well aware that the restoration costs could well triple the $800,000 selling price, but he was not daunted when he purchased it on Jan. 15, 2026.

"The sale of the Bishop Mansion reflects a thoughtful approach to historic ownership in Detroit," said the buyer's agent, Celeste Gee of Re/Max Leading Edge, who also happens to be Calvin's aunt.

"Calvin is deeply committed to preserving the integrity of the property while giving it a sustainable future.

"Detroit’s historic homes play an important role in the city’s identity and revival, and when properties of this significance are approached with long-term stewardship, the benefits extend beyond the walls of the home and into the surrounding community."