Palmer Woods is known for its elm-lined streets with large brick and stone homes in
Tudor Revival architecture, set back from the street behind contiguous uninterrupted
lawn. Lots are large, with ample room for trees, play equipment, and a good expanse of grass. There may be coats of arms, leaded or stained glass windows, and other features (such as elevators) in some of the homes. Various properties boast more than one structure, such as a house and guest house, or maids' quarters. Streets gently curve through the forested neighborhood. Palmer Woods has its own security service and an active voluntary neighborhood association. The home of physicians, politicians, business owners, artists, executives and their families, the Palmer Woods neighborhood has attracted some of Detroit's most prominent citizens. Charles W. Burton himself made his home in the neighborhood. Two of the seven Fisher Brothers (owners of
Fisher Body), Alfred and William, also lived in the neighborhood. William Fisher's former house, at 1791 Wellesley Drive, is , one of the largest in Detroit.
John H. Kunsky, the founder of
United Artists theatres, also lived in the area. The mansion was built in 1925 for the Fisher brothers, who hired the Boston firm of McGinnis and Walsh, specialists in ecclesiastical architecture, to design the
Tudor Revival structure. Upon completion, the Fisher brothers gave the property to
Bishop Michael Gallagher, of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1995, the property was sold by Salley to Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International, who used it as a home and as offices for his ministry. In 2017, the mansion was sold by Jackson for more than $2.5 million to a real estate developer from California who collects historic houses.
Forbidden Fruits (2006), a movie produced by Marc Cayce, was filmed inside the Bishop Gallagher residence. ==Schools==