New Color, Accessibility Features, Part of “Pink Palace” Skyscraper Renovations in Royal Oak
(Mark H. Stowers, June 24, 2021)
Royal Oak, MI – As one of the earliest “skyscrapers” in Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Manor has been home to hundreds of independent senior living residents. Built in the early 1970s for nearly four million dollars, the “Pink Palace” or “Pink Flamingo” as it has lovingly been known is getting a multi-million-dollar makeover that includes painting over the well-known outside pink color.
Residents voted on the new color scheme throughout but no one has let out the secret of what is replacing the outside pink.
Alan Ashley, president of the Royal Oak Manor Co-op for the past three years wouldn’t give away the big secret but did give details of what’s going on inside.
“I’m not going to tell you the color. You’ll just have to see as it’s being painted. Depending on the painting, they’ll start painting in a week or two,” Ashley said.
The 11-story building was originally a brick building but nearly two decades back, siding was added – thus the pink exterior.
Each apartment on every floor is being renovated. According to CSI Support & Development Services, owner of the co-op, “In late 2020, Royal Oak Manor completed a refinancing, using federal HOME funds and a mortgage from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which allows for over $7 million in renovations throughout the co-op.
The renovation project includes updates to all apartments, common areas, building systems and the site.”
Ashely gave an overview of what renovations are taking place.
“All the apartments are getting new cabinets, sinks, garbage disposals and some are getting new stoves. They are getting new bathroom fixtures and vanities,” Ashley said. “And pull cords are being installed in the bathrooms and bedrooms. In case of emergency, you pull the cord for help.”
There will be new heating and cooling units.
The renovations are being done four apartments at time and residents are moved out to an empty apartment now entitled Hospitality Suites, then moved back in. The Hospitality Suites are then sanitized for the next set of residents.
“There will also be mobility accessible apartment on each floor with the first floor having three,” he said. “The first floor is in the process of being renovated.” There will be a new office and the beauty shop and other store/shops are all being renovated and remodeled as well, according to Ashley. “Everything on the whole first floor. And we’re getting new elevators. Outside we just finished resurfacing the parking lot on Williams. When Main Street parking is resurfaced it will be renumbered as well.”
Royal Oak Manor are senior co-op apartments that are owned and operated by CSI out of Warren. It is an independent living senior center with 243 apartments. Ashley stayed tight lipped on the new color. “Keep coming by to find out what the new color will be.”
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