Skyscraper, Detroit, since 1985
Renaissance City Apartments
Still standing, photographed 2022
- Opened
- 1985
- Floors
- 33
- Standing
- 41 years
Designed by SDG Associates
The Renaissance City Apartments has risen over E Jefferson Avenue in Detroit since 1985, 41 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
What is there now
Under renovation
- Alteration permit Interior alterations at 1-21 floors for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire protection and elevator work as per docum, estimated at $625,000 Source: City and county building permits
- Generator permit Generator Replacement Wiring Source: City and county building permits
- Fire Alarm permit Upgrading the fire alarm associated with the elevator upgrades Source: City and county building permits
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 24, 2026.
The story
The Renaissance City Apartments opened in 1985, as Detroit rebuilt its riverfront and downtown in concrete, steel and glass.
The design came from SDG Associates.
Developed by Forest City Enterprises.
It rises 33 floors.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 333 E Jefferson Avenue and look up.
Timeline
- 1985 Built Designed by SDG Associates
- 2025 Generator permit October 24, 2025
- 2026 2 building permits $625,000 in declared work, the latest April 1
- 2026 Today Under renovation
Where it is
333 E Jefferson Avenue
On this map
- 1 Renaissance City Apartments This place
- 2 William Cotter Maybury Monument 240 ft
- 3 Light Guard Armory 320 ft
- 4 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 340 ft
- 5 Biddle House 350 ft
- 6 Burton Abstract & Title Co. Building 400 ft
- 7 Light Infantry Armory 410 ft
- 8 Reid Building 420 ft
- 9 Greyhound Terminal (second) 420 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
What stood here before
Who made it
Architect
SDG AssociatesAmerican architectural firm in Detroit (1964, now), founded 1964. Designed the Renaissance City Apartments (1985)
Developer
Forest City EnterprisesReal estate management and development company, 1920 to 2018. Developed the Renaissance City Apartments (1985)
More from Detroit in the 1980s
-
Riverfront Condominiums Detroit
Skyscraper, built 1983
Photo: Crisco 1492, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
150 West Jefferson
Skyscraper, built 1989, by Heller Manus Architects
Photo: V8americanpower at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
-
First Presbyterian Church
House of worship, built 1980, Romanesque Revival, by George D. Mason
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Riverfront Apartments Building, built 1984, by Gruzen Partnership
Around the block
- William Cotter Maybury Monument Monument, built 1912, Classic Revival 240 ft
- Light Guard Armory Structure, built 1898, Richardsonian Romanesque, by Malcomson & Higginbotham, demolished 1945 320 ft
-
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Skyscraper, built 1955, International, by Harley, Ellington & Day
Photo: 42-BRT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
340 ft
- Biddle House Built 1851 350 ft
- Burton Abstract & Title Co. Building Building, built 1924, by Frank Herman, demolished 1977 400 ft
- Light Infantry Armory Structure, built 1886, Richardsonian Romanesque, by H.H. Richardson, demolished 1957 410 ft
- Reid Building Building, built 1896, Romanesque Revival, by Donaldson & Meier 420 ft
- Greyhound Terminal (second) Building, built 1958, Mid-Century Modern, by Arrasmith & Tyler, demolished 1990 420 ft
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Millender Center, a mixed-use complex in downtown Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2022 Photo: 42-BRT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.