Olympia Development and Cinnaire Solutions Celebrate Opening of Henry Street Apartments in The District Detroit

Olympia Development of Michigan and Cinnaire Solutions celebrated the opening of the first phase of Henry Street Apartments on October 8, marking another milestone in the continued growth of The District Detroit. The development is already welcoming residents to a collection of seven restored historic buildings that are being transformed into a mixed-income, mixed-use community, reflecting Olympia Development’s long-term commitment to housing and historic preservation in Detroit’s Cass Park neighborhood.

The first phase includes two residential buildings, Bretton Hall (439 Henry) and The Claridge (459 Henry), as well as Ralston Commons at 447 Henry, a former bowling alley transformed into a residential amenity and community center. Residents are already living at Bretton Hall and The Claridge, bringing a largely dormant, historic city block back into active use while preserving an important part of the neighborhood’s history.

When complete next summer, Henry Street Apartments will include 170 renovated apartments across six historic residential buildings. Nearly half of the units—49%—will be offered at affordable rates for households earning between 30% and 60% of Area Median Income, bringing affordable and market-rate homes together within a single community.

“For nearly 40 years, my family has been committed to investing in Detroit for the long term, and Henry Street Apartments represents the latest chapter in that commitment," said Chris Ilitch, CEO, Ilitch Companies. "By restoring these historic buildings and creating new mixed-income housing, we are preserving an important part of this neighborhood while creating new opportunities for Detroiters. We are grateful to Cinnaire Solutions, the City of Detroit, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the many public, community and development partners who helped make this possible.”  

Henry Street Apartments builds on Ilitch Companies’ nearly four decades of investment and development in Detroit. To date, Ilitch Companies has invested more than $2.3 billion across 22 projects in the city, with that work continuing through projects including Henry Street Apartments, Founders House, M-Block Park, and the University of Michigan Center for Innovation.

In addition to Ralston Commons, the project restores six residential buildings constructed between 1900 and 1922, preserving their historic character while adding modern features and accessible design.

“Detroit’s growth should mean more quality housing choices for people at different income levels,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. “Henry Street is bringing historic buildings back to life and creating homes where residents can be part of this neighborhood’s future. I’m grateful to Olympia Development, Cinnaire Solutions and the partners who are helping make that possible.”

“This milestone is the result of persistence, creative problem-solving and close coordination across an exceptional team of partners,” said Keith Bradford, president of Olympia Development of Michigan and The District Detroit. “Restoring these historic buildings while navigating the complexities of design, construction, and financing mixed-income housing required a sustained commitment to getting the details right. We are proud to recognize the people whose work brought this first phase to completion and to welcome residents to Henry Street.”

Ralston Commons is designed to be the heart of the community, giving Henry Street Apartments residents a place to gather and connect. The center includes lounge and gathering areas, a fitness room, dog wash, package facilities, meeting space, a kitchenette, fireplace, mail facilities and an onsite property management office. Residents also have access to green space and parking, with residents in the affordable apartments able to park in secure lots at no cost.

“Cinnaire Solutions is proud to have worked alongside Olympia Development to assemble the resources and partnerships needed to advance the affordable-housing component of Henry Street Apartments,” said Lucius Vassar, chief legal officer, Cinnaire. “This development demonstrates the value of mission-aligned investment and collaboration in expanding access to housing where affordability, quality and resident experience are treated as complementary goals.”

“A neighborhood is stronger when the people who helped build Detroit’s future have a place in it,” said Bishop Edgar L. Vann II, senior pastor of Second Ebenezer Church. “Affordable housing gives more Detroiters the opportunity to live near jobs, services and one another as the city grows. Henry Street Apartments shows how restoring buildings can also make room for people—and that is the kind of progress our communities deserve.”  

Additionally, Olympia Development has brought together local partners to offer Henry Street residents and neighbors a range of planned activities and programming at Ralston Commons:

• Cass Technical High School: The neighboring school will have a rotating exhibition of student artwork at Ralston Commons, giving young Detroit artists a place to share their work with residents and visitors.

• Fifth Third Bank: The bank will offer financial literacy classes to help residents and the broader community build practical money-management skills.

• SER Metro-Detroit: The Detroit-based education and employment organization will provide youth workforce training, connecting community members with career-development opportunities.

• Detroit Area Agency on Aging: The agency will offer health and wellness classes for residents and community members of all ages.

Henry Street Apartments is also located near educational institutions such as the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business and the forthcoming University of Michigan Center for Innovation, as well as employment centers, neighborhood services, and Detroit’s sports and entertainment destinations, giving residents access to opportunities and amenities throughout the surrounding area.

The remaining four residential buildings are under construction and scheduled to be completed in the spring and summer of 2027. Once finished, the six residential buildings and Ralston Commons will form an integrated community built around historic preservation, shared spaces and connections to the surrounding neighborhood.

Neumann/Smith Architecture is the Designer and Architect-of-Record for the Henry Street restoration. O’Brien Construction, which also led the work on the historic Eddystone residences, is the construction manager.  

The project was made possible through loans from Fifth Third Bank and Bank of America; Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority;  American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Detroit; HOME funds from the City of Detroit and State of Michigan; Michigan Community Revitalization Program funding from the Michigan Strategic Fund, administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; and ARPA funding from the State of Michigan’s Labor and Economic Opportunity office.

For leasing information or to schedule a tour, visit Henry Street Apartments.

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