The Aretha Franklin estate has missed out on a significant source of income that could have potentially stabilized its portfolio. After selling one of her properties for quick cash in 2023 amidst the singer’s four sons squabbling over asset division following her 2018 death, a couple has transformed Franklin’s Detroit Golf Club home into a tourist destination reminiscent of a mini-Graceland.
Where Aretha Called Home
The new owners, Trevor Thomas and Brandon Lynum, have breathed new life into the once-neglected property into a destination where fans can explore the life and times of the Queen of Soul, much like Graceland immortalizes Elvis Presley’s legacy.
Purchased by Franklin in March 1994 from artist and activist Patricia Hill Burnett, the 5,623-square-foot Tudor-style home in Detroit’s Palmer Woods neighborhood and on the 9th hole of the Detroit Golf Club, represented a certain level of prestige to the Grammy award winner.
“Aretha could have had any home in Detroit, but this was special to her because it was Patricia Hill Burnett’s home. And that’s why she selected it,” explained Linda Solomon, the star’s longtime friend and occasional personal photographer, according to the Detroit Free Press.
However, when Franklin’s health started fail and then after her demise at 76, the property fell into significant disrepair. It was just another burden to the estate that was unloaded to Thomas and Lynum.
A Restoration of Legacy
The home, named after Franklin’s 1998 album “A Rose is Still a Rose,” was ultimately sold by her estate for just $300,000. Thomas and Lynum have since invested over $2 million in its restoration, transforming it from a boarded-up shell to a living museum.
The pair worked with almost 50 different craftsmen, developers, and others to fix up the house, that hit the market in 2022. The roof was damaged and racoons had entered the home and set up shop. But while the tasked was daunted, Thomas and Lynum were always aware of the musical giant’s presence.
When Thomas called to reactive the electric service, a DTE Energy rep shared with him that on the account there was a note that said, “The caller at this address must be referred to as ‘Ms. Franklin.’”
The property now serves multiple purposes. Museum-style placards highlight Franklin’s achievements, including a photo with Martin Luther King Jr. and a gold record from her iconic album. Features from when lived in the home have been carefully preserved, including Franklin’s personal touches like gold sconces and a purple-tinted chandelier.
The main bedroom the “Respect” chart-topper, who at the time of her death had an estimated net worth that ranged between $18 million to $80 million, was redesigned into a spa. The accent piece, possibly an ode to her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a vivid red acrylic tub. And the guest bedroom, where she retired at night when she spent time in the home, still had her end-of-life walking cane at the side of her bed.
The pair took great lengths to maintain those details, with Thomas saying its “like walking into a piece of art.”
More Than Just a Home
The estate has become a destination for fans, hosting nonprofit events, school tours, and welcoming visitors seeking connection with the musical icon. As Thomas explains, “People get emotional here. If they want to have a moment alone, we let them do that.”
The restoration honors not just Franklin, but also Hill Burnett, the home’s previous owner. A woman that Franklin respected, in addition to being a portrait artist and activist, the socialite was also a former Miss Michigan. The couple discovered 600 original Burnett documents during their restoration, adding layers of historical significance to the property.
Franklin’s family has embraced the restoration, though are not participating in the possibly windfall of revenue that such a home could garner.
Her niece, Sabrina Owens, noted, “We always said it was her most beautiful home.”
The first phase of a planned five-year restoration project stands as a testament to Detroit’s rich cultural heritage.
The Graceland Model
While the Rose Estate is still developing, the owners could possibly be drawing inspiration from the successful Graceland model.
Presley’s estate provides a blueprint for monetizing musical heritage. Originally purchased in 1957 for $102,500 (equivalent to over $1.1 million today), Graceland has become a financial powerhouse to taps into the insatiable love that fans have for their favorite artists and their willingness to pay a fee to see how they lived in a museum-yet-home-like atmosphere.
The Memphis landmark generates between $10 million to $15 million annually, demonstrating the potential of transforming a musician’s home into a cultural tourist attraction. At his death, Presley estate was valued at approximately $120 million, deriving mostly on his residuals from his music, publishing, and movies. Graceland now serves as the primary revenue generator.
The Aretha Franklin Estate’s missed opportunity now serves as a lesson in the potential value of preserving and showcasing musical legacies.
Through Thomas and Lynum’s efforts, the Rose Estate may yet become a significant cultural and economic asset, keeping the Queen of Soul’s memory alive for future generations.