The Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects

Nestled within the urban tapestry of Detroit, Michigan, on the east side of the city, formerly sat the imposing and multifaceted Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects, officially christened as the Frederick Douglass Homes. Its name, a tribute to both the iconic African American abolitionist, author, and reformer Frederick Douglass and the thoroughfare that traversed the vicinity, Brewster Street, was a symbol of history and community.

Enveloped by the bustling Chrysler Freeway, the rhythmic Mack Avenue, and the storied St. Antoine Street, this sprawling residential complex was a monument to the aspirations and challenges of urban living. It was a microcosm of Detroit’s soul, where dreams and struggles intertwined.

The Brewster-Douglass Homes stood as the city of Detroit’s largest residential housing endeavor, a behemoth in both scale and significance. Yet, its narrative extended beyond bricks and mortar. It was a place where stories were etched into the very fabric of its buildings, where dreams were born, and where legacies were cultivated.

A Cradle of Creativity

Over the years, this monumental structure was not only a home but a cradle of creativity and ambition. Within its walls, it nurtured the early aspirations of individuals who would later become household names. Legends like Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, Lily Tomlin, Loni Love, and Etterlene DeBarge all had their beginnings in the embrace of Brewster-Douglass. It was a place where talent flourished, dreams took root, and destinies were shaped.

However, time and changing urban dynamics took their toll on this iconic edifice. Its gradual descent into disrepair led to its phased demolition, a process that unfolded between 2003 and 2014. As the last remnants of Brewster-Douglass were dismantled, they carried with them not only the physical structure but also the echoes of countless stories and memories that had unfolded within its walls.

The Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects may have faded from the city’s landscape, but its legacy endures, not only in the annals of Detroit’s history but also in the hearts and memories of those who called it home during their formative years. It was more than just a housing project; it was a chapter in the vibrant and evolving story of Detroit itself.

Hastings Street: A Prelude to Brewster-Douglass

Hastings Street, a vibrant thoroughfare in Detroit, Michigan, stood at the epicenter of Black culture and creativity during the decades spanning the 1920s to the 1950s. Nestled at the southern periphery of the future Brewster-Douglass Homes, this storied street thrived with a rich tapestry of salons and entertainment venues. It was a place where music filled the air, art came to life, and the spirit of community blossomed. Hastings Street became synonymous with the promise of fulfillment, where every conceivable need could be met, making it a pulsating hub of cultural expression and social gatherings. Its echoes were immortalized in the legendary John Lee Hooker song “Boogie Chillen’.”

The Architectural Marvel and Its Inhabitants

The Beginnings of Brewster Project

The Brewster Project and Frederick Douglass Apartments, architectural marvels designed by the esteemed firm of Harley, Ellington & Day of Detroit, came into existence between 1935 and 1955. The groundbreaking moment for the Brewster Project arrived in 1935 when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt presided over the commencement of this 701-unit residential development. The first phase, comprised of low-rise apartment blocks, was proudly unveiled in 1938. A subsequent expansion, culminating in 1941, elevated the total number of housing units to an impressive 941.

Adjacent to the Brewster Project, the Frederick Douglass Apartments began taking shape in 1942. A symphony of apartment rows, two 6-story low-rises, and six towering 14-story high-rises emerged as architectural icons, reaching completion between 1952 and 1955. Collectively, the Brewster-Douglass Project sprawled across an impressive five city blocks in length and three city blocks in width, providing shelter to a dynamic community of residents that swelled to between 8,000 and 10,000 at its peak.

Decline and Demolition

The Brewster-Douglass Project was conceived to cater to the “working poor,” a demographic requirement enforced by the Detroit Housing Commission, ensuring that each family had an employed member as a condition for tenancy. However, over time, as the Commission’s criteria became less stringent, the projects faced escalating crime rates during the 1960s and 1970s, gradually falling into a state of disrepair. The Frederick Douglass Apartment towers ultimately underwent transformation into senior housing.

In 1991, the original Brewster Project’s low-rise apartment blocks north of Wilkins Street yielded to the wrecking ball, giving way to 250 contemporary townhomes. These new public housing units, distinct from the Frederick Douglass Homes project, were christened the “Brewster Homes” and continue to stand today.

The remaining housing on the project site experienced a decline in condition. To consolidate living spaces and reduce maintenance costs, two of the six 14-story Frederick Douglass Apartments towers, namely 303 and 304, were demolished in 2003. By 2008, only 280 families remained within the Frederick Douglass Homes complex, ultimately leading to the decision to shutter the housing entirely. The buildings south of Wilkins Street stood abandoned in the wake of this decision.

Tragedy darkened the history of Brewster-Douglass on July 29, 2013, when the lifeless body of 23-year-old French artist Bilal Berreni was discovered, a victim of a gunshot wound, within the property’s confines. His identity remained a mystery for seven long months. Legal proceedings later led to convictions, with Jasin Curtis and Drequone Rich each pleading guilty to second-degree murder and receiving prison sentences of 25 to 30 years in 2015, while Dionte Travis was sentenced to 60 years in January 2016.

The process of dismantling the remaining structures of the Frederick Douglass Homes began in September 2013, marking the final chapter in the architectural legacy of this iconic complex. By the close of August 2014, demolition was nearly complete, leaving a void where once a vibrant community thrived.

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