Detroit's Lafayette Towers will be undergoing a renovation. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Lafayette Towers has been around since the early sixties, but now its new owner has plans to recapture it's former glory.
"To see the city coming back and exciting things happening within its city center, it's just phenomenal. It's what I've been waiting on for the last 20, 25 years," said Gregory Jackson.
He is the new owner of Detroit's Lafayette Towers, a nearly 600 unit apartment complex built in the sixties and designed by renowned architect Mies Van Der Rohe. It's just steps from downtown Detroit, a full service grocery store and offers killer views of the city.
Jackson walked me through his plans for what he calls one of Detroit's jewels.
"We've got to put the dress back on Cinderella," he said.
The Prestige Automotive CEO bought the recently foreclosed property last December for nearly $6 million. He's investing another $15 million in what he calls a makeover, revamping everything from the HVAC systems to the units themselves. He's even designing a new fitness center and Internet cafe all to create a community everyone from young professionals to retirees will want to call home.
"My vision is having people sitting around in the lobby with their iPads and whatnot. They're having a coffee," said Jackson. "I see a new Detroit when I see the Lafayette Towers today."
"Detroit is where I grew up. Detroit is home," he added. "To be a part of it and invest in it is just a natural for me. It's what I and all true Detroiters should do if they have an opportunity."
Jackson told me that the renovations should take about 18 months to complete. For more information, you can visit www.lafayette-towers.com.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:48:42 GMT
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:25:11 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:22:57 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:38:20 GMT
Crews across the river in Windsor are battling a raging fire that's burning at a warehouse in the 700 block of Sprucewood Avenue.
Crews across the river in Windsor are battling a raging fire that's burning at a warehouse in the 700 block of Sprucewood Avenue. Thick black smoke and flames can be seen for miles. The Windsor Star is
Detroit's Lafayette Towers will be undergoing a renovation. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
