DETROIT — With the recent acquisition of Millender Center Apartments, Village Green, one of the nation’s largest privately-held developers, owners and managers of luxury apartment communities, along with The Robert L. Millender Sr. Memorial Fund and the Millender family, have agreed to include the Millender name in the apartments to honor and recognize the late Robert Millender’s major contributions.
The legacy of Robert Millender will be celebrated when Millender Center Apartments are renovated and repositioned within the marketplace. The apartment community’s new name will be announced at a later date, but will include “at Millender Center.” A commemorative portrait and plaque will be prominently displayed in the lobby, and a rededication will take place at the grand opening after renovations are complete. Residents and guests will be given literature highlighting the many accomplishments of Millender, and his achievements will be included on the community’s website.
Robert L. Millender Sr., a political strategist, was a driving force behind the first generation of successful African-American politicians in the city of Detroit. By developing an overall strategy for African-American political aspirations, and acting as campaign manager and trusted adviser to elected officials, including Congressman John Conyers Jr., Michigan Secretary of State Richard Austin, Judge and Congressman George Crocket, Mayor Coleman Young, several judges, and members of Detroit City Council, Millender helped Detroit’s African-Americans gain political influence. Although never a candidate for political office himself, Millender’s significance to the people of Detroit was demonstrated by the naming of the Robert L. Millender Center in his honor.
The Millender family stated, “We are very appreciative for the responsiveness of Village Green and its chief executive, Jonathan Holtzman, to the family and community concerns about maintaining the name of our father in connection with the apartments. We understand Village Green is not involved with the rest of the Millender Center complex.”
Millender Center Apartments, which was purchased by Village Green without any city, state or federal government assistance, is the second acquisition Village Green has made in the city of Detroit in the last three years. The Millender Center complex, which consists of retail, dining, parking garage, Courtyard by Marriott hotel and People Mover station, remains under separate ownership.
“With so many businesses and companies moving downtown, employees need a place to live. Our goal is to create a luxury apartment community with unique amenities and 24/7/365 services that provides our residents a place to live where they work,” Holtzman said.
