Detroit Music Legend Sixto Rodriguez’s Former Historic Detroit Home Is For Sale

A historic home of Detroit music legend Sixto Rodriguz with a rich musical legacy is on the market for $399,000. Rodriguez was the inspiration for the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.”

The home is tucked in the city’s Woodbridge neighborhood near Wayne State University.

The 2,896 square foot house is a three-story brick home and was built in 1900. 

The house was once a multi-family residence. However, the Rodriguez family has used it as a single-family home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Regan Rodriguez said her father bought the home in the late 1970s. She said it was in rough shape:

“It didn’t have windows and there was very little plumbing. It wasn’t really in great shape.”

Regan’s sister Sandra grew up helping with his music. However, her sister Eva later moved to South Africa to help lead his tours there.

Over the years, Rodriguez made it his own. Regan said, “He made some adjustments to the layout to open it up,” 

Listing agent Ryan Cooley said Rodriguez was always updating the property:

“He was constantly doing stuff to the house, so most of it has been redone. At the end of his life, he was actually blind, so there are a lot of handrails installed to help him move around safely.”

The property is located at 4820 Avery in Detroit. 

Cooley told the Detroit Free Press that the property is “in the perfect shape to finish and make it a great single-family house,” 

The house is also where Rodriguez did his interview for the documentary.

The Rediscovery of A Detroit Music Legend 

Rodriguez’s story has been one of rediscovery. He was little-known in the U.S. for decades. However, he achieved an almost mythic fame in South Africa during the country’s apartheid era. His music became the soundtrack to the country’s social change. His reemergence, and the mysterious surroundings of his disappearance became the heart of “Searching for Sugar Man.”

Rodriguez died in 2023 at age 81.

The home also comes with Rodriguez’s beloved grand piano. Though he was never a materialistic person, the piano held special meaning for him and his family. 

According to the listing, the property features refinished original hardwood floors, large front porches and a rear deck. The house hase has totally updated.  

There’s also potential for additional living space in the walk-up attic. Regan Rodriguez also said:

“The hard work, political activism, intellectual exchange, writing, music, film and art that was created there is forever in the fabric of music history. My father has impacted people around the world, and this was his home base.”

You Can Also Read More About The Homes Of Detroit Music Legends On MFI-Miami.com.