buy the collector's limited edition photo
book, the things we left behind - out of
print at the end of january!
all photos and unattributed text copyright © 2005-2009 by abandonedamerica.org
and may not be used or reproduced without prior written consent. all rights reserved.
created as a luxury residential hotel in 1928, the lee plaza consisted of 15 floors and 220 apartments, a lobby, dining
rooms, lounges, and a ballroom. despite being a masterpiece of art deco and mediterranean design, the hotel began its
decline as living in hotels became less fashionable. in an attempt to retain functionality it was converted to an assisted
living facility for senior citizens but was seized by the city of detroit for unpaid property taxes. it has since been
systematically stripped of all adornments, from the terracotta lions torn from the facade to the green copper roof, which
was removed in broad daylight. vandalism and the elements have done the rest; there is little left to save.
where historic preservation meets art
the home for all things abandoned is now on facebook
site last updated: january 1, 2010