Iconic Detroit jazz club Blue Bird Inn turned into local historic district, spared from demolition

The building was purchased by the Detroit Sound Conservancy

DETROIT – The Blue Bird Inn on Detroit’s west side was once the city’s premiere jazz club in the 1940s and 1950s, with icons like Miles Davis and John Coltrane having performed on its stage.

In 2019, it was purchased by the Detroit Sound Conservancy with a plan to renovate the property.

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However, the group soon learned that it was on Detroit’s demolition list.

But the group was able to get the Blue Bird Inn designated as a local historic district, sparing it from demolition. The designation was unanimously approved in October by city council and signed by Mayor Mike Duggan. The group received the final notice of designation in December.

The Detroit Sound Conservancy said the next step is to install a new roof on the building.

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WATCH BELOW: Detroit Sound Conservancy works to restore iconic jazz club Blue Bird Inn


About the Author:

DeJanay Booth joined WDIV as a web producer in July 2020. She previously worked as a news reporter in New Mexico before moving back to Michigan.