Restoration Tour
the lee plaza
PRESENTED BY
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Main Entrance & Façade
Opened in 1929, Lee Plaza was a luxury residential hotel known for its bold Art Deco design and ornate exterior detailing. After years of vacancy, restoration of the exterior marks a symbolic first step in returning this architectural gem to active use.
Developers are preserving original materials, such as the intricate brickwork and decorative terra cotta, while upgrading for modern safety and accessibility—bringing new life to this historic Detroit landmark.
Opened in 1929, The Lee Plaza was a luxury residential hotel known for its bold Art Deco design and ornate exterior detailing. After years of vacancy, restoration of the exterior marks a symbolic first step in returning this architectural gem to active use. Developers are preserving original materials, such as the intricate brickwork and decorative terra cotta, while upgrading for modern safety and accessibility—bringing new life to this historic Detroit landmark.
Restoring Detroit’s Art Deco Legacy
Peacock Alley
Peacock Alley (Main Hallway)
A Glimpse into 1920s Elegance
Known as “Peacock Alley,” this grand hallway featured decorative plasterwork. It once served as a glamorous connection between residences and shared gathering spaces like the ballroom and dining rooms.
Guided by archival photographs and blueprints, the restoration team is bringing back the hallway’s elegant design to preserve its original character for future generations to experience.
Known as “Peacock Alley,” this grand hallway featured decorative plasterwork. It once served as a glamorous connection between residences and shared gathering spaces like the ballroom and dining rooms. Guided by archival photographs and blueprints, the restoration team is bringing back the hallway’s elegant design to preserve its original character for future generations to experience.
GRAND BALLROOM
The Grand Ballroom once hosted elegant events, concerts, and community celebrations, serving as a lively focal point of The Lee Plaza life. With its arched windows, double-height ceilings, and decorative plasterwork, the space reflected the luxury of its era.
Restoration efforts aim to preserve these architectural features while reimagining the room as a flexible community venue, ensuring it remains a gathering place for years to come.
Preserving Historic Elegance
Grand Ballroom
The Grand Ballroom once hosted elegant events, concerts, and community celebrations, serving as a lively focal point of The Lee Plaza life. With its arched windows, double-height ceilings, and decorative plasterwork, the space reflected the luxury of its era. Restoration efforts aim to preserve these architectural features while reimagining the room as a flexible community venue, ensuring it remains a gathering place for years to come.
Exterior TerraCotta
Exterior Terracotta
Recreating Stolen Lion Heads
The Lee Plaza’s exterior once featured handcrafted terracotta lion heads—symbols of strength and artistry that were lost to theft and decay during years of abandonment. Specialists are now replicating these lost elements using historical photographs, 3D scanning, and traditional techniques. The return of these iconic details represents more than aesthetics—it’s a tribute to the craftsmanship and history embedded in this building.
The Lee Plaza’s exterior once featured handcrafted terracotta lion heads—symbols of strength and artistry that were lost to theft and decay during years of abandonment.
Specialists are now replicating these lost elements using historical photographs, 3D scanning, and traditional techniques. The return of these iconic details represents more than aesthetics—it’s a tribute to the craftsmanship and history embedded in this building.
Upper Floors - Senior Housing
Upper Floors – Senior Housing
Originally home to luxury apartments, The Lee Plaza’s upper floors are being reimagined as dignified, affordable housing for Detroit’s senior residents. Developers are incorporating modern systems and amenities while retaining key historic elements such as corridor layouts, tilework, and window openings.
This transformation blends preservation with purpose, ensuring the building continues to serve the city’s people while honoring its architectural roots.
Honoring the Past. Housing the Future.
Honoring the Past.
Housing the Future.
Originally home to luxury apartments, The Lee Plaza’s upper floors are being reimagined as dignified, affordable housing for Detroit’s senior residents. Developers are incorporating modern systems and amenities while retaining key historic elements such as corridor layouts, tilework, and window openings. This transformation blends preservation with purpose, ensuring the building continues to serve the city’s people while honoring its architectural roots.
Restoration Tour
the lee plaza
PRESENTED BY
