About Austin

Biography of Austin Black II

City Living Detroit – President | Broker | Realtor®

Austin Black II is the founder of City Living Detroit; a full-service real estate brokerage that is headquartered in Detroit’s thriving Midtown neighborhood. His firm specializes in properties located in Detroit with a focus on downtown, the growing riverfront, the cultural center, and the city’s historic neighborhoods.

Austin has always shown an interest in urban development and major metropolitan cities.  His fascination started with an elementary school project about tall skyscrapers and wind velocity.  It continued later in life while studying at the university level.  He is a graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, College of Architecture, Art and Planning where he studied redevelopment projects abroad and earned a Bachelors of Science in Urban and Regional Studies.

So, after visiting more than 20 cities in Europe and Italy and earning a degree that concentrated on Real Estate and Urban Redevelopment, Austin decided to return home to Detroit, Michigan and use his knowledge and passion to make Detroit a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Upon his return, he quickly proved to be a rising star in Detroit real estate as he achieved success at all levels, and racked up both local and national accolades.

Austin’s worldly perspective on urban redevelopment, drive to stay on top of the latest industry trends, and passion for his hometown has earned him the respect and adoration of a city and its leadership.

Austin has been the recipient of several awards and honors.  In 2010 he was recognized by Realtor® Magazine as one of 30 up and coming Realtors under 30 in the nation.  Crain’s Detroit Business named him to their Dream Board of Directors. He received the Rising Star Award from Max Broock Realtors. And Austin was named to the Crain’s Detroit Business 20 in their 20s list.

He is an active member with the National Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors, North Oakland County Board of Realtors and the Western Wayne County Board of Realtors. He also serves on many boards and committees including the Downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, International Visitors Council, The Villages Community Detroit Corporation, Detroit Synergy, and Detroit Renaissance, Road to Renaissance. He also holds memberships with Cornell Club of Michigan, United Way of Southeast Michigan’s Leadership Next Initiative, and Detroit Athletic Club.

In addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies, Austin was also a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.