Historic Casa del Rey Apartments Reopen in Pontiac
A group of eight entrepreneurs completed a major $19.5 million renovation of the historic apartment building.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hispanic
Live Poll
Do you believe city-funded historic building renovations provide lasting economic benefits to your local community?
The Casa del Rey apartment building at 111 Oneida St. has officially reopened following an extensive restoration project. Eight entrepreneurs collaborated to revitalize the historic structure, which had remained abandoned for several decades.
Why it matters
The project preserves a significant piece of local architecture while repurposing the Spanish Eclectic building for modern use. The renovation prevents further decay of a landmark that has been part of the city for nearly a century.
The renovation project required a total investment of $19.5 million to restore the 1929 structure. The property, located at 111 Oneida St., holds historic significance after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The players
Coleman Allen
He is a co-founder of the development project responsible for the restoration of the Casa del Rey.
Samantha Vazgall
She is a recipient of the 2026 Mosaic Cultural Expression Award from Schoolcraft College.
The details
Eight entrepreneurs led the effort to save the building, securing necessary capital through a mix of grants and loans from organizations like Oakland County. The reopening celebration highlighted the cultural diversity of the local community through the participation of various artists and business owners.
Timeline
The original construction of the apartment building was completed in 1929.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Samantha Vazgall won the Mosaic Cultural Expression Award in 2026.
The grand reopening celebration for the apartment building occurred in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This development reflects a broader trend of historic preservation that seeks to balance urban renewal with the protection of original 20th-century architectural heritage. By saving legacy buildings, communities are increasingly prioritizing cultural continuity over new-build construction.
Residents in the area can expect increased activity at the 111 Oneida St. site as the building returns to active use. The project serves as a practical example of how historic neighborhood landmarks can be repurposed to contribute to local housing availability.
The takeaway
Historic preservation efforts require substantial collaboration between private entrepreneurs and public funding entities to succeed. Homeowners and developers can look to this project as a model for navigating grant and loan acquisition to save aging architectural landmarks.
Further reading
For more stories on community developments, see our Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
Live Poll
Do you believe city-funded historic building renovations provide lasting economic benefits to your local community?
