Sixto Rodriguez’s Detroit home for sale. See where ‘Sugar Man’ lived

• Sixto Rodriguez achieved an nearly legendary fame in South Africa.
• An Oscar-winning documentary is impressed by this Detroit musician.
• The home comprises the beloved grand piano of the late musician.

A historic Detroit residence with a wealthy musical legacy, as soon as owned by the late singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, is on the market for $399,000.

Tucked within the Woodbridge neighborhood close to Wayne State College, the three-story, 2,896-square-foot brick residence was inbuilt 1900 and carries the soul of the person who impressed the Oscar-winning documentary.Looking for Sugar Man.”

As soon as a multi-family residence, now used as a single-family residence with 4 bedrooms and two bogs.

Rodriguez’s daughter, Regan Rodriguez, who began working as a tour supervisor in 2007, stated the home was in poor situation when it was bought within the late Seventies.

“It had no home windows and little or no plumbing,” she stated. “It wasn’t actually in nice form.”

Her sister Sandra grew up serving to along with his music, whereas their sister Eva later moved to South Africa to assist direct his excursions there.

Through the years, Rodriguez has internalized this. “He made some adjustments to the structure to open it up,” Regan stated, noting that the home was his residence for nearly 50 years.

Itemizing agent, Ryan Cooley of O’Connor Realty Detroit, stated Rodriguez was all the time updating the property. “He was always doing issues on the home, so most of it has been redone.”

“On the finish of his life he was really blind, so a variety of handrails have been put in to assist him get round safely.”

The home, situated at 4820 Avery, contains half of the adjoining yard, which was divided between two neighbors years in the past, a uncommon discover within the space.

Cooley described the property as “in excellent situation to complete and make a terrific single-family residence,” including that it’s “a terrific alternative for somebody.”

“That is the home the place he did his interview for the documentary,” Cooley stated.

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Rodriguez’s story has lengthy been about rediscovery. Although little identified within the US for many years, he achieved an nearly legendary fame in South Africa, the place his music turned the soundtrack for social change. His reemergence and the thriller surrounding his disappearance from the highlight turned the guts of ‘Looking for Sugar Man’. He died in 2023 on the age of 81.

The home additionally contains Rodriguez’s beloved grand piano, one of many few possessions he prized deeply. Though he was by no means a materialistic particular person, the piano had particular which means for him and his household. “He liked enjoying on it along with his grandchildren and serving to them be taught,” his daughter stated.

In accordance with the itemizing, the property options refinished authentic hardwood flooring, giant entrance porches, a rear deck, new drywall, plumbing, electrical and home windows.

There’s additionally the choice for extra residing area within the attic.

“The exhausting work, political activism, mental trade, writing, music, movie and artwork created there are eternally in music historical past,” stated Regan Rodriguez. “My father influenced folks all around the world, and this was his residence base.”

Regan added that she and her sisters wish to hold the home, as their father usually stated, “There’s nothing like actuality.”

Brendel Clark (beforehand revealed as Brendel Hightower) writes about actual property and different subjects for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bclark@freepress.com.