Why East Village Belongs on Your Detroit Itinerary

Story by Biba Adams

Spend a Day in East Village: Detroit’s Hidden Gem.

Less than a dozen miles from Downtown Detroit exists one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city, which is quickly becoming an arts destination.

East English Village (EEV) is bordered by Harper Avenue on the north, Cadieux Road on the east, Mack Avenue on the south, and East Outer Drive on the west. For visitors, there is much to see in this neighborhood. The architectural charm of homes developed in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s remains very evident today.

However, a renaissance is happening today, with brand-new apartment buildings being built and more new homes being constructed. Tour companies, such as Preservation Detroit and Peek, may offer walking tours of the community. The vibrant and active neighborhood association sponsors events and gives excellent historical insight.

EEV is also emerging as an arts exploration destination, with new installations, modernizations of existing ones, and even enhanced public gardens and skateparks all nestled on the campus of Little Village.

Here's a glimpse at some of the must-see creative locations in Little Village, with plenty to see and do. It's a must for any visit to Detroit

Library Street Collective
1274 Library Street (Alley)
Detroit, MI 48226

This Detroit-based art gallery and community hub bridges the local and international art scenes through exhibitions, public projects, and community engagement initiatives. It is known for its dynamic art spaces, including its downtown gallery and The Shepherd Cultural Arts Center, as well as its work on impactful public projects such as The Belt Alley and various socially conscious installations.

The Shepherd
1265 Parkview Street
Detroit, MI 48214

The Shepherd is a century-old Romanesque-style church that has been transformed into a cultural arts center with a multifaceted programming schedule. The adaptive reuse of the church, designed by Peterson Rich Office (PRO), features two exhibition spaces, a public library curated by Asmaa Walton of Black Art Library, a performing arts theater, and a community workshop space that offers a range of art, dining, leisure, and cultural activities.

ALEO

This one-of-a-kind boutique bed and breakfast is nestled in the heart of Detroit’s Little Village cultural neighborhood, housed in the Shepherd’s transformed rectory. ALEO features four guest suites, located on the former rectory’s second floor, with a thoughtfully curated selection of furnishings and locally rooted art. The contemporary décor is seamlessly at home among the rectory’s historic craftsmanship. Crisp linens, stunning views of the outdoor gardens, and personalized service create a serene space for guests to find respite and reflection.

Father Forgive Me
1265 Parkview St, Detroit, MI 48214

This wine and cocktail bar is a must-see, offering a menu of rotating options. Currently, prices range from $12 to $15 per glass and $45 to $125 per bottle, featuring selections from Italy, Croatia, California, Portugal, Germany, Oregon, and France. The cocktails feature locally-sourced spirits and ingredients while the menu also has seven to 10 nonalcoholic drinks, including a rosé that’s served on draft and utilizes watermelon rinds, over-steeped tea, and a centrifuged strawberry broth, according to Eater Detroit.

Warda Patisserie
1286 McClellan Ave.

While in the area, take a short walk over to this modern James Beard Award-winning pâtisserie, focused on local ingredients with global flavors and techniques inspired by the travels and previous life in Algeria, France & Asia of its founder, Warda Bouguettaya. Warda in Little Village offers a variety of signature breakfast, lunch, and rotating items, along with coffee and tea.

Charles McGee Legacy Park
1265 Parkview Street, Detroit, MI 48214

Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the Charles McGee Legacy Park honors the life and contributions of the late Detroit Icon, whose career as an artist chronicled the Black experience and sustained optimism regarding the future of Detroit and its people.

“The sculpture garden is a place to contemplate, meditate and seek peace. The inspirational components within the Little Village cultural hub implore the creative community to utilize artistic means to interact with nature, push parameters, and achieve unity and togetherness,” said April McGee-Flournoy, according to the website.

It Takes a Village Skatepark
1265 Parkview Street, Detroit, MI 48214

Designed by Tony Hawk and artist McArthur Binion as part of The Skatepark Project, the park will serve as a gathering space for the East Village and the broader Detroit community. Hawk, who has family ties to the city, has built more than 700 skateparks across the country with his foundation, with many of them located in Detroit.

The Nave and Great Lawn

Imagine what could happen if numerous neighborhoods transformed existing parking lots, alleyways, and vacant lots into an interlocking series of outdoor destinations. “By transforming this vacant block into an open and accessible arts campus, new life is emerging in a previously unused gap in the city fabric, like flowers sprouting through the pavement,” said Simon David, Principal & Creative Director of Office of Strategy + Design (OSD).

Art Altars

Experience The Mothership Connection, a towering 26-foot sculpture by British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové inspired by Parliament Funkadelic’s iconic concept album as well as the history and legacy of the Dogon tribe and their unique relationship with astronomy. The second art altar is Angle of Repose, a collaboration between Castor Design and artist Olivia Guterson. The gentle slope of each structure and the overall configuration of the earthen mounds offer an environment for visitors to feel grounded and supported as they sit and rest. A perfect metaphor for The Little Village itself.

The Little Village Library

Curated and founded by Asmaa Walton of the Black Art Library, the Little Village Library is a public archive dedicated to showcasing the work of artists of color. The beautiful space is perfect for studying reading or just reveling in the creative space. “Art is essential in starting important conversations and changing opinions. My work with Black Art Library has been dedicated to promoting arts education on Black art and visual culture, ensuring that this is accessible to all communities and filling gaps that our institutions have left. I am thrilled to partner with Anthony and JJ and curate the Little Village Library, which will create substantial change in Detroit, offering greater resources and making art more accessible to local communities,” said Asmaa Walton, curator of the Little Village Library, writes on the website.

Courtesy of The Shepherd

Social Status Detroit

Finally, we highlight Social Status Detroit, a multi-use community hub that continues to bridge experience and retail, dedicated to reclaiming the city’s east side through the reimaging of a 100-year-old commercial building into a destination for culture, connection, and local impact.

The Library Street Collective is a visionary and imaginative creative space that will inspire all who visit. We hope you will make it a key part of your next visit to Detroit.

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Biba Adams

Writer