The common stereotype for Detroit doesn't paint a pretty picture. It's a decaying city riddled with drugs and criminals. Well..at least that statement is partially true. Detroit has hundreds of abandoned buildings. Ranging from hotels, houses, diners, and even schools. One of the most photographed abandoned places is called the Lee Plaza Hotel.
Ralph T. Lee was the owner of this magnificent hotel. He entered the real-estate business and by 1935, Lee had built more than 30 hotels and apartment buildings. Including the Lee Crest; the Wager Terrace; the Orpha Mae Apartments — named after his wife; the Bohr Apartments in Highland Park; the Lee Manor, and many others.
But the market was at an all time low. Lee sold the Plaza and the buyer did nothing with it. it closed down and has yet to be opened again. However, there is hope. A Detroit native has a plan to turn the Lee into luxury, environmentally-friendly housing, telling the Free Press in 2016 that his $51 million plan will “bring it back to being an iconic landmark, with first-class of everything.” So far, this is all talk.
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