Restoration Tower in Detroit, MI

Pros

• The establishment is clean and features a beautiful garden where residents can walk through and lounge in a peaceful setting.
• It is described as a great building for seniors and a nice senior living option.
• The facility is neat and well-maintained, with clean cafeteria and lobby areas.
• Thanksgiving meals are prepared and delivered to seniors, reflecting thoughtful care.
• The renovations are noted positively as improvements to the property.
• The people at the building are described as very kind toward residents.
• Jamal did a good job with cleaning using Oxifresh.
• The site is described as nice to visit.

Cons

• The mandatory meal program is not a HUD requirement, and tenants protest the program.
• The outside of the building is not clean.
• Cell phone reception is terrible throughout the building.
• Residents dislike paying a monthly meal bill with EBT cards even if they do not eat the food.
• The staff turnover is outrageous, leaving little chance for staff to do their jobs.
• Compliance is a complete joke, and management talks down to residents as if they are poor children.
• The place is full of elderly residents who are on drugs or addicted to drugs, with frequent fires, break-ins, and robberies.
• Pictures are deceiving about the property.
• Margret Davies runs this place like a plantation.
• The renovations have destroyed reception for cell phones, TV, and wireless internet service.

Review

Restoration Tower in Detroit is best suited for seniors who want a clean, home-like environment with a peaceful garden setting and a sense of continuity among residents and long-tenured staff. The building reads as well maintained, and many residents speak warmly of comfort and care that have endured through years. It appeals to those who prize a community feel, predictable routines, and a quiet atmosphere over flashy amenities or cutting-edge technology. For a resident who needs highly proactive management, rapid problem resolution, or a high-tech living environment, this property presents a mismatch.

Alternatives are worth considering for families prioritizing transparent governance and consistent service. A central concern in this community is the mandatory meal program and the way it is enforced, including fees that some residents view as intrusive or misaligned with personal preferences. Safety and security are described as uneven, with turnover among staff diminishing day-to-day responsiveness. For households that demand dependable management, clear policy adherence, and robust in-building connectivity, a different option may deliver less friction and more straightforward financial terms.

On the upside, several core strengths are clear. The property is clean, with a well-kept exterior and a tranquil garden that residents can walk through and lounge in. The interior environment tends to feel fresh, and ongoing refurbishment efforts reflect an investment in the living space. Longstanding relationships with staff and kitchen personnel contribute to a sense of familiarity that many families value, particularly for residents who have lived there for years. Community outreach and occasional meals delivered to seniors underscore a commitment to resident well-being beyond mere shelter.

The most salient drawbacks center on policy and operations. The mandatory meal program, coupled with perceived heavy-handed billing practices, creates friction for residents who would prefer more choice or less reliance on a subsidized dining plan. Staff turnover undermines consistency in service delivery, with reports of frequent turnover affecting responsiveness and the overall atmosphere. A perceived top-down management style compounds these issues, sometimes making residents feel talked down to or treated as less-than equal participants in the community. Security concerns are voiced by some, including references to break-ins and drug-related activity nearby, which can weigh heavily when choosing a place to call home. Additionally, unreliable cell reception and diminished wireless connectivity - exacerbated by renovations - significantly impact daily communication.

These positives can soften the impact of the negatives for residents who value steadiness, a familiar social network, and ongoing on-site improvements. The garden and clean, quiet setting provide a ballast against the stress of elder care transitions, and organized activities and shared meals can help counter isolation. Yet the combination of a contentious meal policy, staffing instability, and safety questions means that, for households needing frictionless operations and high assurances of daily reliability, Restoration Tower will not be the first choice. The balance tilts toward careful scrutiny rather than broad endorsement.

Practical next steps are essential. Prospective tenants should scrutinize the lease language around the meal program, confirm whether meals can be adjusted or declined without penalty, and obtain a clear, written explanation of all charges related to dining. A direct conversation with current residents about responsiveness, turnover, and safety experiences can illuminate day-to-day realities beyond promotional materials. Testing cell service and internet access in multiple units during a tour helps quantify connectivity problems that have been reported. Finally, pairing this evaluation with a comparison to other Detroit-area communities - especially those with stronger management consistency, more transparent policies, and verified safety records - will help families move decisively. Restoration Tower remains a viable option for those who prize a serene, garden-minded setting and value familiar faces, but it demands careful scrutiny of meals, governance, and security before committing.

This area of Detroit, Michigan offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking to settle down. With several pharmacies located within close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare needs is convenient. Additionally, there are a range of dining options nearby, from casual eateries like McDonald's and Wendy's to more upscale establishments like Frank's Diner. Hospitals and medical offices are also easily accessible for any healthcare requirements. For leisure activities, there are theaters like Riviera Cinema for entertainment, as well as parks such as Ford Field Park for outdoor recreation. Places of worship like Church of the Divine Child and Masjid Salam cater to spiritual needs in the community. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of practical conveniences and recreational opportunities for seniors seeking a comfortable living environment in Detroit.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (4.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• Walgreens (5.8 miles)
• Walgreens (6 miles)
• Walgreens (6.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Frank's Diner (3.3 miles)
• Snookers' Pool & Pub (3.5 miles)
• McDonald's (4.2 miles)
• Culver's (4.2 miles)
• The Lava Lounge Too (5.8 miles)
• SKY Lounge West (5.8 miles)
• Wendy's (6 miles)

Hospitals

• Botsford Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Trinity Health Wound Care - Livonia Hospital (7.5 miles)
• Park Geriatric Village (8.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Qahwah House (6.4 miles)
• Ferndale Project (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Theaters

• Riviera Cinema (5.3 miles)
• Phoenix Theatres Laurel Park Place (8.1 miles)
• Emagine Royal Oak (8.1 miles)

Physicians

• Botsford Primary Care Physician (5.5 miles)
• Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan - Livonia Office (5.9 miles)
• Livonia Dermatology (6 miles)
• Garden City Hospital Medical Office Building (6.1 miles)
• Asthma & Allergic Disease Center (6.2 miles)
• Beaumont Midwest Internal Medicine Associates (6.3 miles)
• Be Well Medical Center (6.9 miles)

Parks

• Flanders Park (6.1 miles)
• Hemlock Park (6.9 miles)
• Palmer Park (7.3 miles)
• Ford Field Park (7.3 miles)
• Garden City Park (7.3 miles)
• Harding Park (7.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Divine Child (6.3 miles)
• Masjid Salam (7.8 miles)