Which Ann Arbor Neighborhoods Have Historic Homes?

If you’re looking for a home with character in Ann Arbor, you have quite a few areas to consider. Some of the city’s best-known historic homes are in the Old West Side, Old Fourth Ward, and Washtenaw-Hill areas, while other neighborhoods, including parts of Burns Park and nearby areas, also have older homes with plenty of architectural character.

One thing I always recommend is separating “a neighborhood with older homes” from “a locally designated historic district.” They aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Ann Arbor currently has 15 local historic districts, and the City provides maps that allow you to check whether a specific property is inside one of them.

If historic architecture is important to you, here are some Ann Arbor neighborhoods and areas worth knowing about when searching for historic homes in Ann Arbor.

The Old West Side is probably one of the first places I’d look if you want a historic home in Ann Arbor.

The neighborhood is known for its older houses, tree-lined streets, porches, and close-to-downtown location. The City of Ann Arbor designated the Old West Side as a local historic district in 1978. It had already been listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Many of the homes here date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Ann Arbor Observer describes the area as having many small Victorian homes, including houses built by 19th-century German immigrants.

You’ll see plenty of architectural details that are hard to reproduce in newer construction:

• Front porches

• Older woodwork

• Tall windows

• Original architectural details

• Narrow, walkable lots

• Mature trees

• Smaller, character-filled floor plans

There’s also a practical consideration.

Because the Old West Side is a local historic district, exterior work can be subject to historic preservation review. That can matter if you’re thinking about replacing windows, changing exterior materials, adding an addition, or making other significant exterior changes.

So if you fall in love with an Old West Side house, I’d look at both the home itself and the rules that apply to the property.

The Old Fourth Ward is another major area to consider if historic homes are on your list.

The Old Fourth Ward Historic District was adopted in 1983, and the City completed an updated survey in 2024. The survey documented hundreds of resources within the district and evaluated their architectural and historical significance.

This area is particularly interesting because of its location near downtown Ann Arbor, Kerrytown, the University of Michigan, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

You can find a mix of historic single-family homes, multifamily properties, and other buildings here. The neighborhood has changed over time, so the housing stock isn’t all the same age or style.

That’s actually one of the things I like about looking at individual properties rather than simply searching by neighborhood name.

Two homes on the same street can have very different histories.

For example, a house on East Ann Street was recently recognized by the City for restoration work. The home dates back to the early 1830s, although portions of the original structure were altered over time.

That gives you a good idea of the range of history you can find in this part of Ann Arbor.

If you’re interested in historic architecture connected to the University of Michigan, take a look at Washtenaw-Hill.

The Washtenaw-Hill Historic District includes portions of Hill Street and one property on Washtenaw Avenue. The City describes the district as having strong university associations, with many houses originally built for faculty during the major growth of the University of Michigan between the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The architecture is another reason this area stands out.

You’ll find examples of:

• Tudor Revival

• Colonial Revival

• Craftsman

• Other early 20th-century architectural styles

Several homes were designed by notable architects, including Irving Pond and Albert Kahn.

The area is also known for mature trees, which add considerably to the feel of the neighborhood.

One thing buyers should know is that some historic homes in this area have been converted to student housing, and the neighborhood also includes fraternity and sorority houses.

So if you’re looking for a traditional historic home for your own household, it’s worth looking carefully at the individual property and its current use.

Burns Park is another Ann Arbor neighborhood where you’ll find plenty of older homes and established streets.

The neighborhood surrounds the 15-acre Burns Park, just south of central Ann Arbor. The park itself has a long history, including its connection to an old horse track and the former Washtenaw County fairgrounds.

The residential area around the park is known for classic older homes, mature trees, and convenient access to downtown and the University of Michigan.

The important distinction is that Burns Park as a neighborhood is not the same thing as being inside one of Ann Arbor’s local historic districts.

That matters.

If a home is simply an older home in the Burns Park neighborhood, you shouldn’t automatically assume it has the same historic-district requirements as a property inside the Old West Side or Old Fourth Ward.

There are also historic properties elsewhere in the broader Burns Park area. For example, the Robert and Erma Hayden House in Lower Burns Park became Ann Arbor's 15th historic district in 2023.

You’ll also find older homes outside the city’s formally designated historic districts.

Water Hill is a good example.

Water Hill is often associated with older, established homes and a distinctive neighborhood feel, but much of the housing there is newer than what you’ll find in some portions of the Old West Side. A recent local history of Water Hill describes many homes in the area as having been built during the 1940s and 1950s.

That means “older” doesn’t always mean “historic district.”

And this is one of the easiest things for buyers to misunderstand when they start looking for historic homes in Ann Arbor.

The Old West Side, Old Fourth Ward, and Washtenaw-Hill get a lot of attention, but they aren't the only historic areas in the city.

Ann Arbor's local historic districts include:

• Ann Street

• Broadway

• Cobblestone Farm

• Division Street

• East Liberty

• East William

• Fourth/Ann

• Liberty Street

• Main Street

• Northern Brewery

• Old Fourth Ward

• Old West Side

• Robert and Erma Hayden House

• State Street

• Washtenaw-Hill

Some of these are larger residential areas. Others are smaller districts or individual historic properties.

That’s why I wouldn’t limit your search to a list of “historic neighborhoods.”

If you have a particular house in mind, check the address.

This is an important step if you're buying an older home in Ann Arbor.

The City of Ann Arbor provides several ways to check.

You can use the City Assessor's property database and look for the historical district information associated with the parcel. You can also use the City's zoning map and turn on the historic district layer.

The City also publishes individual maps for its historic districts.

I’d do this before making assumptions about what you can change on the property.

Why?

Because local historic district designation affects exterior work.

The City says exterior work in historic districts is regulated by the Historic District Commission and may require an approved Certificate of Appropriateness. Major exterior changes, new construction, and certain site or landscape changes may require Commission review.

That doesn’t mean you can’t update a historic home.

It means you need to understand the process before you start.

Historic homes can be wonderful, but they deserve a little extra attention during the buying process.

Here are a few things I’d put on your checklist.

1. Look beyond the cosmetic updates

Fresh paint and a beautiful kitchen are great, but with an older home, I’d also want to understand the condition of the major systems.

Depending on the age of the home, that can include:

• Roof

• Electrical system

• Plumbing

• Heating and cooling

• Foundation

• Windows

• Insulation

• Drainage

• Sewer line

A good inspection can help you understand what you're really buying.

You also want to consider the ongoing maintenance costs of an older home. Historic character can be a huge part of the appeal, but maintaining an older property may involve expenses that aren't as common with newer construction.

2. Find out what has already been changed

Older homes sometimes have decades of renovations behind them.

Some improvements may have been done thoughtfully. Others may need to be updated again.

Ask about permits and previous work when appropriate, especially if you're considering buying in a historic district.

This is also where it helps to think about mistakes buyers should avoid when purchasing an older home. Falling in love with the character is easy. Understanding the home's condition, renovation history, and potential future costs is just as important.

3. Understand the historic-district rules

If the property is in a local historic district, find out what rules apply before you plan a major renovation.

Ann Arbor's Historic District Design Guidelines are the primary guidance for work in historic districts.

This is particularly important if your plans include exterior changes.

4. Think about your lifestyle

Historic homes can have wonderful character, but they may also have smaller rooms, unusual layouts, steep stairs, smaller closets, or less open living space than newer construction.

Some buyers love that.

Others realize after a few months that they really wanted a newer floor plan.

Neither choice is wrong. It’s about what works for you.

And location matters, too. Before buying, think about how the location fits your daily lifestyle and transportation needs. Consider your commute, access to downtown, proximity to work or campus, parking, errands, and how often you actually want to drive.

If historic character is one of your priorities, I’d approach your search this way:

Start with the areas you like.

Look at the Old West Side, Old Fourth Ward, Washtenaw-Hill, Burns Park, and other established areas where older housing is common.

Then look at the individual property.

Age, architectural style, condition, renovations, and historic designation can vary from house to house.

Then check the district status.

Use the City's historic district map or property information to confirm whether the address is actually within a designated district.

Finally, look at the house itself.

A beautiful 100-year-old home that needs extensive work is a very different purchase from a carefully maintained historic home that has already had major systems updated.

That distinction can make a big difference.

Which Ann Arbor neighborhood has the most historic homes?

The Old West Side is one of the city's most recognizable areas for historic homes, but historic properties are found throughout Ann Arbor. Old Fourth Ward and Washtenaw-Hill are also important historic residential areas.

Is the Old West Side a historic district?

Yes. The Old West Side is a locally designated historic district, and the City has specific preservation requirements for properties within it.

Is Burns Park a historic district?

Burns Park is a neighborhood with many older homes, but the neighborhood itself should not automatically be treated as one historic district. There are, however, historic properties and designated historic areas within the broader Burns Park area, including the Robert and Erma Hayden House Historic District.

Can I renovate a historic home in Ann Arbor?

Yes, but if the property is in a local historic district, exterior work may require review and approval. The exact requirements depend on the proposed work.

How can I find out if a specific Ann Arbor home is in a historic district?

The City of Ann Arbor provides historic district maps and recommends checking the City Assessor's property information or the City's zoning map with historic district layers enabled.

If you love old homes, Ann Arbor gives you plenty to explore.

The Old West Side is a natural place to start if you want Victorian-era character and a neighborhood with a strong historic identity. Old Fourth Ward offers historic homes close to downtown and Kerrytown. Washtenaw-Hill is especially interesting if you like early 20th-century architecture and homes connected to the University of Michigan. Burns Park is another established neighborhood where older homes and mature streets are part of the appeal.

But don't stop at the neighborhood name.

When you're seriously considering a property, look at the actual address, the home's condition, its renovation history, and whether it falls within a local historic district.

That extra step can save you surprises later and help you find a historic Ann Arbor home that fits the way you actually want to live.

If you're looking for a historic home in Ann Arbor, Nancy Arnold, Realtor® with The Charles Reinhart Company, can help you understand the differences between neighborhoods, individual properties, and historic-district requirements as you narrow down your search.