The Lee Plaza Hotel in Detroit has a rich and tumultuous history. Built in 1927 by Ralph T. Lee, a successful real estate developer, the hotel was designed to be a symbol of luxury and wealth, catering to the city's elite. The Art Deco building featured 220 luxury-class apartments, a rooftop radio receiver, and even a beacon on the roof that guided pilots flying over Detroit.
However, the hotel's grandeur was short-lived. The Great Depression hit, and the Lee Plaza struggled to stay afloat. The hotel went bankrupt, and Ralph Lee's reputation was tarnished by allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption. The hotel changed hands several times, and by the 1960s, it had been converted into low-income senior housing.
In the 1980s, the Lee Plaza was added to the National Register of Historic Places, but it continued to decline. The building suffered from vandalism, theft, and neglect, including the infamous theft of over 50 terra cotta lion heads that adorned the exterior. Despite efforts to recover the stolen artefacts, the building's condition continued to deteriorate.
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The Grand Ballroom in 2014 (Roderick Eime) |
Today, the Lee Plaza remains in a state of disrepair, with many considering it a lost cause. The City Housing Commission has attempted to sell the building to developers, but so far, no one has taken on the challenge of restoring the hotel to its former glory. The building's structural integrity is questionable, and the cost of repairs is estimated to be in the millions.
Despite its current state, the Lee Plaza remains a significant part of Detroit's history and a testament to the city's resilience. Efforts to preserve the building continue, but its future remains uncertain.
UPDATE: Lee Plaza will be restored. (20 January 2022)
Google Map Ref: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dtuyP9kvMrn4uKSH8
RESTORATION PLANS
The Lee Plaza Hotel in Detroit has undergone significant restoration plans recently. In 2019, the city of Detroit announced plans to sell the Lee Plaza to a joint venture of the Roxbury Group and Ethos Development Partners for $350,000. The plan is to redevelop the building into 180 residential units and retail space.
The restoration project is divided into two phases. Phase 1, which began in 2022, focuses on rehabilitating the first floor main lobby and creating 117 affordable senior apartments on floors 2 through 10. This phase is expected to be completed by 2024 at $59 million.
Phase 2, scheduled to start after Phase 1, will create 60 to 70 market-rate apartments on floors 11 through 16. This phase, which is anticipated to cost $20 million, is anticipated to be completed by 2025.
As of September 2023, the restoration project has made significant progress, with a new fence installed, entrances sealed, and windows being replaced ¹. These efforts aim to restore the Lee Plaza Hotel to its former glory, preserving its rich history and Art Deco architecture.