Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

720 Virginia Park (Ralph Wilkinson House)

The Ralph Wilkinson House at 720 Virginia Park Street was built in 1908 for Ralph Wilkinson, a prominent Detroit attorney and member of the firm Wilkinson, Routier, and Hinkley. Designed by William E. N. Hunter, the house is an excellent example of the Arts and Crafts style, incorporating numerous Prairie School elements. Its cubic form, grouped windows, smooth stucco walls, narrow wood detailing, and broad eaves create a distinctly Prairie-inspired composition.

The open porch is particularly notable, with brick piers decorated with Art Nouveau mosaics in red, green, and yellow - the only known example of this type of ornamentation in the Virginia Park Historic District. The dark oak entrance with leaded glass and elaborate molding adds to the home's exceptional craftsmanship.