Saint Rita Apartments
The Saint Rita is an apartment building in Detroit that reflects the latent potential in the city. Probably built around 1916, the six-story Saint Rita is a magnificent English Renaissance building located off Woodward Avenue in the North End. Detail work extends from the terra cotta on the upper floors to the tile hallways and variety of interior layouts.
As Curbed Detroit notes, Saint Rita's fantastic details, close proximity to Woodward Avenue and the proposed light rail line made it a strong candidate for redevelopment. In 2008 it was placed on an emergency demolition list by then-mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, but managed to dodge the wrecking ball. It was sold at auction in 2011 for $5,300, then sold again in 2014 at a Wayne County Sheriff sale for $69,000. Renovation of the building began in 2017, and in March of 2019 it reopened as affordable housing for those who used to be homeless.
