ISLANDVIEW
Where History Meets the Future
Islandview, located on Detroit's east side along the Detroit River, is a historic neighborhood with deep roots in the city's industrial past.The area has a rich history, shaped by its early development, industrial growth, and subsequent economic changes.
This neighborhood is rapidly evolving into one of the city's most desireable neighborhoods. With ongoing home renovations, including new roofs, updated exteriors, and modern interiors, the area is quickly shedding its old, worn image. An influx of new residents is bringing a fresh energy to the community. The neighborhood's proximity to Downtown Detroit and its closeness to Belle Isle and Eastern Market, makes it an appealing choice for those looking to live just outside the city center. As these improvements continue, Islandview is poised to become a vibrant, sought after neighborhood with a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities.
SOME ATTRIBUTES ISLANDVIEW IS KNOWN FOR:
HISTORIC
ARCHITECTURE
HISTORIC CHURCH
REVIVED ARTISTIC PRESCENCE
HISTORIC
ARCHITECTURE
PROXIMITY TO
RIVERWALK
CLOSE TO
BELLE ISLE
CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
Scroll down to learn more about its history and where the neighborhood is going
EARLY HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT
Originally developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was known for its residential communities, riverfront views, and proximity to the industrial hubs that helped shape Detroit's economy.
Its name comes from its location near several small islands in the Detroit River, though it isn't necessarily on an island itself. The area was originally rural and farmland in the 19th century, but as Detroit expanded, so did Islandview. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the neighborhood started to develop as part of Detroit's broader growth and industrialization.
EARLY 20TH
CENTURY
In the early 20th Century, Islandview became more residential, with many middle-class families moving into the area. It attracted people seeking proximity to industrial jobs along the river and the expanding downtown Detroit area. The architecture of the neighborhood during this time includes large Victorian homes, which were typical of the time, as well as some grand mansions, particularly along the waterfront.
The nearby riverfront and industrial boom brought significant growth to the city as a whole, especially with the rise of the automotive industry in the 1920's. Detroit became a major industrial hub, and working-class families moved to neighborhoods like Islandview seeking jobs.
In the mid-20th century, Islandview, like many other Detroit neighborhoods, began to experience changes due to the post-World War II economic shifts.
DECLINE &
CHALLENGES
By the 19070s and 80s, Islandview, along with much of Detroit, began to face economic decline due to deindustrialization, the loss of jobs in the automotive sector, and the city's population decline. Many homes were abandoned, and the neighborhood saw an increase in crime and blight, similar to other areas in Detroit during this time. The disinvestment and loss of businesses hit hard, an Islandview struggled with many oof the challenge typical oof post-industrial urban neighborhoods.
REVITALIZATION
In recent years, Islandview has seen a resurgence, with new investment and development driving revitalization. Local businesses, cultural organizations, and young professionals are moving into the area, attracted by its mix of historic charm and potential for growth. As the city continues to gentrify, Islandview is on the path to becoming a vibrant, mixed-use community that blends its rich history with modern living, arts, and culture, making it an exciting neighborhood to watch in the coming years.
Islandview remains a historically significant neighborhood in Detroit, with ongoing efforts to maintain its cultural heritage while navigating the pressures of urban renewal and economic change. The neighborhood has a strong community identity, with organizations working to address local needs, improve infrastructure, and promote economic development in a way that benefits long-time residents as well as newcomers.
NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATIONS
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER