- Lee Plaza is being restored into senior housing after almost 30 years of abandonment
- Phase 1 ends in 2026, with affordable rent locked for 45 years
- Decorative lion heads, stolen in the early 2000s, will be recreated for the building’s facade
- Writer says, “It went from a towering symbol of wealth to a towering symbol of Detroit's decay"
After sitting abandoned for nearly 30 years, Detroit's Lee Plaza is showing signs of life once again. A groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week marked the start of construction to transform the Art Deco-era high-rise into apartments for low-income senior citizens.
This effort has been years in the making. Detroit proposed selling the building to current owner Roxbury Partners in 2019. Now, after six years and securing about $60 million in financing, the long-awaited project is finally underway.
The History of Lee Plaza
Lee Plaza opened in 1929 as a luxury apartment building, known for its use of imported marble and wood, colorful hallways, and ornate architectural adornments. However, the Great Depression and additional legal and financial issues led to the site’s bankruptcy by 1935.
In 1969, it was repurposed as senior housing. As residents left, and Detroit ran low on cash, the Lee was boarded up in 1997.
As Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org puts it, “It went from a towering symbol of wealth to a towering symbol of Detroit's decay.”
What’s Different from the Last Renovation?
What sets this renovation apart is its focus on restoring the Lee to its original splendor, including plans to revive the building’s facade and first-floor common areas.
“Lee Plaza is being transformed from blight to its original beauty.” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said after calling the Lee one of the most beloved buildings in the city.
Lee’s Missing Lion Heads are Coming Back, too
Also on the list of restorations are the decorative terra cotta lion heads, which will be recreated for the building’s exterior.
The heads were an adored aspect of the Lee’s original design, but dozens of them were ripped off the building and stolen sometime between 2000 and 2001.
A handful showed up as decor for some upscale Chicago townhouses in 2003, which sparked national news coverage. Most of the missing heads were anonymously returned in the wake of the attention, but no culprits have ever been identified.
Who is doing the construction work at Lee Plaza?
Detroit-based Sachse Construction is managing the project, Fusco, Shaffer & Pappas are handling architectural design, and Kidorf is consulting on historic preservation.
The entire project is the result of a partnership between Detroit, the State of Michigan, Roxbury Group and fellow developers Ethos, and Lighthouse—a non-profit that helps provide affordable housing.
The Timeline for Lee Plaza’s restoration
When Phase 1 construction finishes in late 2026, new residents will pay no more than 30% of their income on rent. Detroit has guaranteed affordability for at least 45 years.
There is a planned Phase 2 that the partners are seeking financing for.
Becoming a Symbol of Detroit’s Comeback Story
“[It’s] not just about transforming an iconic building into affordable housing; it's about revitalizing the community, preserving Detroit's rich architectural heritage, and creating a supportive environment for low-income seniors,” Lucas Visser, Vice President on J.P. Morgan’s Historic Tax Credit team said. Visser's team helped with financing.
The Lee’s rebirth is the latest effort to find new uses for Detroit’s blighted historic buildings, including rechristening them as entertainment districts.
Once a “towering symbol of decay,” Detroiters are banking on the new Lee Plaza to become a towering symbol of their city’s comeback.
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