Building History
Welcome to The Amo Apartments
A Detroit Landmark with a Fascinating Past
Our History
Built in 1908–1909, The Amo Apartments have been part of Detroit's Brush Park neighborhood for over a century. Commissioned by George A. Lewis, a local entrepreneur and trailblazing speech therapist, and designed by noted architect Joseph E. Mills, The Amo was a modern marvel of its time, featuring fireproof construction and conveniences that attracted Detroit’s rising professional class.
Historic Design
• Elegant Classical Revival style with solid brick and stone craftsmanship.
• Built to last — surviving more than 100 years of Detroit’s ups and downs.
• Part of Detroit’s Brush Park Historic District.
A School for Speech
George A. Lewis founded the Lewis School for Stammerers right next door — the first school in the world built solely to help people overcome stammering! His bold methods included speaking in rhythm with swinging arm movements — unusual, but he became an international sensation.
A Survivor
While many historic mansions around it were lost, The Amo endured — and today it’s one of the few original early-1900s apartment buildings still standing in Brush Park.
Architectural Legacy
Architect Joseph E. Mills designed courthouses, grand homes, and civic buildings across Michigan and the Midwest. The Amo is part of his lasting contribution to Detroit’s cityscape.
• Jam Handy Building (2900 E. Grand Blvd.)
• Lafer Brothers Building (1323 Broadway)
• Cadillac Blvd. Presbyterian Church (3090 Cadillac Blvd.)
• Grosfield Building (3365 Michigan Ave.)
Today
Renovated with care, The Amo blends historic charm with modern comfort, keeping alive its spirit as a welcoming home for Detroiters past, present, and future.
Schedule your tour today and discover Detroit’s best-kept secret—The Amo.
Live where Detroit’s history meets its next chapter. The Amo offers restored historic apartments in the heart of Brush Park—just steps from Downtown, Midtown, and the city’s best food, sports, and culture.