Millender Center Apartments

The Millender Center Apartments is an upscale residential skyscraper, standing at 33 floors. It is one of Detroit's tallest residential buildings. It was constructed in 1985 in the Modern architectural style adjacent to the similarly designed Courtyard by Marriott – Downtown Detroit.

The residential apartments are connected by elevated enclosed skyways to the Renaissance Center (Across the street along Jefferson Avenue), the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Detroit, and to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The high-rise apartments also contain a large parking garage. It was named after Robert L. Millender, Sr., an attorney, political activist and campaign manager for Mayor Coleman Young. He encouraged and supported the candidacy of many in the African-American political community. They include former Secretary of State Richard Austin, Congressman John Conyers, several City of Detroit Council members, local judges, and several Wayne County Commissioners, just to name a few. In recognition of the historic contributions Robert Millender made to the City of Detroit, this building was dedicated to in his memory in the 1980s. The Center complex includes an Office Center, the Courtyard by Marriott, the 33-story Millender Center Apartment complex and a parking facility. Transportation is provided by the Detroit People Mover which has a station at the facility.

The main lobby of the Millender Center features an original portrait of Robert L. Millender Sr., which was painted by the distinguished Detroit artist, Carl Owens. This complex is linked to the city by skywalks and the People Mover. A large Pewabic pottery mural can be seen inside the Millender Center People Mover Station. It was design by local African-American artist Alvin Loving, Jr. He is a nationally known painter and had worked at Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery, one of two active turn- of-the-century pottery studios in the country.