Four Freedoms House of Detroit

Pros

• Residents absolutely love living at City Place and plan to renew their lease for several more years.
• The one-bedroom apartments are cozy and well-suited for two people and a dog, with a great view of Eastern Market and the city.
• Utilities are included, with no extra cost for heat or AC.
• The park right outside the back is perfect for dog owners.
• Monique, the maintenance team, and the security team are described as top tier and consistently responsive.
• Security is vigilant around the parking lot and entrance, contributing to residents' sense of safety.
• Residents appreciate ongoing improvements, such as card readers at entrances and elevator updates.
• City Place is seen as a reasonably priced, high-quality rental option in downtown Detroit.
• The leasing staff is noted for being helpful and affordable, enhancing the rental experience.
• Maintenance is fast and effective, even during late-night emergencies.

Cons

• They state contractors have not been paid after cleaning apartments, totaling thousands of dollars.
• They complain that in a 22-story building only one elevator is reliably working, with others down for weeks and sometimes none available.
• They describe maintenance as poor, with requests ignored and appliances like washing machines frequently not functioning.
• They report roaches on site, cars broken into, warm water, hallway odors, and trash left uncollected for days.
• They criticize the parking and security, citing no gated security, lack of visitor parking, a troublesome parking structure, and little to no concern for residents' safety.
• They accuse staff of ignorance or unhelpfulness, with a leasing manager who withholds deposits and charges for roach cleanup, and reluctance to provide corporate contact information.
• They say moving large items is nearly impossible due to the absence of a freight elevator and use of undersized service elevators, plus concerns about packages being stolen.
• They feel the building is not worth the price despite utilities being included, calling the design and overall management trash.

Review

City Place in Detroit evokes a strikingly broad range of resident experiences. On one hand, many tenants describe a convenient, affordable living option with appealing views, a dog-friendly vibe, and a responsive staff. On the other hand, numerous reviews recount chronic maintenance failures, safety and security gaps, and ongoing frustrations with building systems and management. Taken together, the feedback paints a complex picture of a property that can feel like a gem in certain moments and a serious source of stress in others.

A recurring theme is the elevator and building infrastructure. In almost every narrative there is some version of "three elevators, but only two work most of the time, and sometimes none are usable." Several residents note that the middle elevator oddly functions only for security, while the others are frequently out of service for long periods. For a 22-story building, this translates into long wait times, especially during moves, when packages, or urgent trips up and down the tower. One resident specifically highlighted the absence of a dedicated freight elevator, which complicates moving furniture and large items. The situation is repeatedly described as an extreme inconvenience that escalates during move-ins, move-outs, or when trying to access upper floors late at night. The problem isn't limited to elevators; some reviews mention sporadic issues with the washing machines and other utilities, contributing to a perception that essential building systems are not consistently reliable.

Maintenance and pest control are another central source of contention. Several tenants recount submitting portal requests with little or no follow-through, or having maintenance show up only after repeated prompts. Complaints about roaches persist across multiple accounts, with some residents reporting roaches on the first floor and ongoing rodent-like concerns in certain units. Reports also describe inconsistent heat and water temperature (water that only gets lukewarm at times) and a general sense that timely remediation is not guaranteed. Yet there are also notes of improvement and responsiveness in some instances - residents who feel that the maintenance team can be fast and effective in urgent situations, and who applaud visible upgrades such as card readers at entrances and elevator updates.

Safety and security provoke mixed feelings as well. In several reviews, security is praised for vigilance - often described as a reliable presence in the parking area and at entry points, providing a sense of safety at night. Conversely, other accounts suggest that security has gaps - especially relating to response times and in handling security incidents in the parking structure. There are also concerns about gated access and the overall security of the premises, with some tenants reporting car break-ins and thefts in a parking garage that lacks clearly accessible alternative options for visitors or deliveries. The tension between feeling protected and feeling exposed is a notable thread throughout the feedback.

Financial and tenant relations reveal a divided experience with management. Some residents voice frustration over payment processes and contract-related disputes, including allegations that contractors have not been paid on time or at all. There is a specific complaint about a staff member - Monique - and a reference to someone named Phil in the context of money tied up with contractors. These claims are paired with broader grievances about the handling of deposits, charges for cleaning after lease non-renewal, and a sense that corporate contact information is hard to obtain. Yet amid the complaints, there are counterpoints from residents who praise Monique and other staff for responsiveness and support, and who feel the leasing team has been fair, courteous, and helpful in difficult situations.

Amidst the negative feedback, several tenants offer heartfelt praise for aspects they value. A number of reviews describe City Place as a genuine "gem" in terms of location, price, and included utilities. The park behind the building, downtown Detroit views, and the relative affordability of utilities (no separate heat or AC bills) are repeatedly highlighted as standout benefits. Some residents recount positive experiences with renovations, friendly neighbors, and a feeling of being well taken care of by staff and security when needs arise. For these tenants, the combination of a strong location, supportive on-site personnel, and the perceived value of the package can outweigh the ongoing issues.

The overall portrait is therefore a mosaic of high highs and low lows. For some renters, City Place offers a reasonably priced living experience in a vibrant urban setting, with access to green space, straightforward renewals, and a staff they feel cares about residents. For others, the same building represents persistent headaches: unreliable systems, slow or inconsistent maintenance, maintenance staff who seem hard to reach, and management dynamics that feel opaque or unresponsive at times. The divergent experiences underscore how dependent comfort and satisfaction at City Place can be on the day-to-day reliability of elevators, maintenance, security, and transparent, responsive communication from management. Potential renters might weigh the clear upsides - location, utilities included, and a supportive staff in favorable moments - against the frequent practical challenges described by many residents.

This part of Detroit, Michigan, offers a variety of amenities and services suitable for senior living. With places of worship such as St John's Presbyterian Church and St Charles Church nearby, residents can easily continue their spiritual practices. Additionally, there are several restaurants like Elwood Bar & Grill and Detroit Opera House within close proximity, providing convenient options for dining out. The area also boasts several parks such as William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor and Belle Isle Park where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and scenic views. Access to pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and hospitals such as DMC Heart Hospital ensure that healthcare needs are easily met. Furthermore, cafes like The Bean Bar offer a cozy setting for socializing with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this neighborhood provides a welcoming and accommodating environment for seniors looking to settle in the Detroit area.

Places of Worship

• St John's Presbyterian Church (0.5 miles)
• St Charles Church (2 miles)
• Masjid Salam (7.3 miles)
• Heritage Park Alliance Church (7.9 miles)
• Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church (8.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Elwood Bar & Grill (0.6 miles)
• Detroit Athletic Club (0.6 miles)
• Detroit Opera House (0.7 miles)
• The Skip (0.8 miles)
• Tin Roof (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• The Brakeman (0.8 miles)

Parks

• William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (0.8 miles)
• Valade Park (1 miles)
• Belle Isle Park (2.4 miles)
• Matthew C Patterson Park (5.5 miles)
• Windmill Pointe Park (5.6 miles)
• Palmer Park (6.8 miles)
• Hemlock Park (7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Indian Village Market (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• DMC Heart Hospital (1 miles)
• Detroit Receiving Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Harper University Hospital (1.2 miles)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (1.2 miles)
• Hudson-Webber Cancer Research (1.2 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (2.9 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (3 miles)

Physicians

• Childrens Hospital Of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit (1.1 miles)
• University Health Center (1.1 miles)
• Windsor Regional Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Michigan Eyecare Institute (7.4 miles)
• Lasalle Community Health Care Centre (8.6 miles)

Cafes

• The Bean Bar (1.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.4 miles)
• Qahwah House (7.2 miles)
• Tim Hortons (8.7 miles)