Developers Gregory and Ronita Coleman of LJ Golden Realty, along with public and private partners, government officials, and community members, gathered in Pontiac to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Del Rey Apartments at 111 Oneida Street, marking the completion of a $19.5 million redevelopment that preserved a century-old landmark and created 54 affordable, modern, and energy-efficient rental homes in the city’s historic Seminole Hills neighborhood.
The project reflects years of collaboration among the developers, Oakland County Land Bank Authority, Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, City of Pontiac, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Cinnaire Lending, IFF, and other partners whose investment, financing, development expertise, and public support helped transition the property from prolonged vacancy to renewed community use.
General Motors Executives Gregory and Ronita Coleman of LJ Golden Realty led the redevelopment of Casa Del Rey, a Moorish-style building designed by architect Robert O’Derrick and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Colemans rehabilitated the building with a commitment to preserving its historic character while creating modern, energy-efficient apartments. The project returns an important architectural asset to active use and expands Pontiac's affordable housing supply.
“It has been an absolute honor to serve the Pontiac community and to be part of the continued growth and revitalization of the Oakland County seat,” Gregory and Ronita Coleman said. “Our commitment extends beyond developing properties — we are investing in people, neighborhoods, and the long-term future of this community. By creating quality, affordable housing, we are helping ensure that individuals and families have the opportunity to call Pontiac home and participate in its growth for generations to come.”
Casa Del Rey demonstrates the impact of coordinated public and private investment when historic preservation, housing development, and community priorities converge. The project also reflects the support of a broader community that recognized the importance of preserving and restoring Casa Del Rey as an active part of the Seminole Hills neighborhood.
“This is a special project with historical significance brought back to life by a special group of public and private partners,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Thanks to the investment by our Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund and the vision of developers committed to Pontiac, we’re expanding housing opportunities while contributing to the city’s continued revitalization.”
After tax foreclosure, the building remained vacant for more than a decade under the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office before transferring to the Oakland County Land Bank Authority, preserving the opportunity for future development. Although developers expressed interest in the property over the years, the Colemans’ vision for the historic property and commitment to the Pontiac community ultimately brought new life to this historic building.
“Casa Del Rey reflects the power of public and private partners working together around a shared community priority,” said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, chair of the Oakland County Land Bank Authority. “Preserving and rehabilitating this century-old building protects an important part of Pontiac’s history while creating meaningful new housing opportunities for residents. This project shows what sustained collaboration, investment and community commitment can accomplish.”
“The Casa Del Rey redevelopment is a beautiful example of the progress and forward momentum happening in the City of Pontiac. This is an exciting time for our city,” said Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness.
“Transforming a long vacant property into a vibrant new development not only brings new life and energy into our community but also signals what is possible for Pontiac’s future. The City thanks the developers, community partners and residents who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life.”
State and mission-driven financing partners also helped move Casa Del Rey from concept to completion. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation contributed financing and resources, while Cinnaire and IFF brought financing and community development expertise.
“Michigan has made real progress in addressing the housing shortage, but we still need nearly 97,000 more homes to meet current demand. Projects like Casa Del Rey show why MSHDA’s Housing TIF and Missing Middle programs matter,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of MSHDA. “They help close financing gaps so developers can create more quality, attainable homes while bringing vacant and underused properties back to life. We’re proud to have worked alongside the Colemans and so many other partners to make this project a reality for Pontiac’s historic Seminole Hills neighborhood.”
“There’s a pressing need for more affordable housing options in communities across the state of Michigan, and the redevelopment of Casa Del Rey exemplifies how partners in the public and private sectors can work together to address this challenge,” said David de Velder, IFF’s Director of Lending for Affordable Housing. “This is a project that’s breathing new life into a long-dormant community asset and ensuring that more individuals and families in Oakland County have access to high-quality homes that help them thrive. IFF is excited to celebrate the opening of this extraordinarily impactful project and looks forward to the positive impact Casa del Rey will have on Pontiac.”
Cinnaire Lending also supported the project through a $1.5 million construction bridge loan and its WE Build program, which helps women-led real estate ventures grow and finance community development projects.
“Cinnaire Lending is committed to investing in projects and leaders that strengthen communities. Since connecting with Ronita Coleman through the WE Build program in 2024, we’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand her leadership and vision,” said Jessica Hinton, Assistant Loan Officer with Cinnaire Lending. “Ronita is helping pave the way for women in development, and we are proud to have supported this project from groundbreaking to grand opening.”
To learn more about Casa Del Rey, visit LJGoldenRealty.com/Casa-Del-Rey.
For affordable housing resources, call the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about the Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, visit OaklandCountyMI.gov/HousingTrust or call 248-858-0493.
The project reflects years of collaboration among the developers, Oakland County Land Bank Authority, Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, City of Pontiac, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Cinnaire Lending, IFF, and other partners whose investment, financing, development expertise, and public support helped transition the property from prolonged vacancy to renewed community use.
General Motors Executives Gregory and Ronita Coleman of LJ Golden Realty led the redevelopment of Casa Del Rey, a Moorish-style building designed by architect Robert O’Derrick and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Colemans rehabilitated the building with a commitment to preserving its historic character while creating modern, energy-efficient apartments. The project returns an important architectural asset to active use and expands Pontiac's affordable housing supply.
“It has been an absolute honor to serve the Pontiac community and to be part of the continued growth and revitalization of the Oakland County seat,” Gregory and Ronita Coleman said. “Our commitment extends beyond developing properties — we are investing in people, neighborhoods, and the long-term future of this community. By creating quality, affordable housing, we are helping ensure that individuals and families have the opportunity to call Pontiac home and participate in its growth for generations to come.”
Casa Del Rey demonstrates the impact of coordinated public and private investment when historic preservation, housing development, and community priorities converge. The project also reflects the support of a broader community that recognized the importance of preserving and restoring Casa Del Rey as an active part of the Seminole Hills neighborhood.
“This is a special project with historical significance brought back to life by a special group of public and private partners,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Thanks to the investment by our Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund and the vision of developers committed to Pontiac, we’re expanding housing opportunities while contributing to the city’s continued revitalization.”
After tax foreclosure, the building remained vacant for more than a decade under the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office before transferring to the Oakland County Land Bank Authority, preserving the opportunity for future development. Although developers expressed interest in the property over the years, the Colemans’ vision for the historic property and commitment to the Pontiac community ultimately brought new life to this historic building.
“Casa Del Rey reflects the power of public and private partners working together around a shared community priority,” said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, chair of the Oakland County Land Bank Authority. “Preserving and rehabilitating this century-old building protects an important part of Pontiac’s history while creating meaningful new housing opportunities for residents. This project shows what sustained collaboration, investment and community commitment can accomplish.”
“The Casa Del Rey redevelopment is a beautiful example of the progress and forward momentum happening in the City of Pontiac. This is an exciting time for our city,” said Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness.
“Transforming a long vacant property into a vibrant new development not only brings new life and energy into our community but also signals what is possible for Pontiac’s future. The City thanks the developers, community partners and residents who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life.”
State and mission-driven financing partners also helped move Casa Del Rey from concept to completion. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation contributed financing and resources, while Cinnaire and IFF brought financing and community development expertise.
“Michigan has made real progress in addressing the housing shortage, but we still need nearly 97,000 more homes to meet current demand. Projects like Casa Del Rey show why MSHDA’s Housing TIF and Missing Middle programs matter,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of MSHDA. “They help close financing gaps so developers can create more quality, attainable homes while bringing vacant and underused properties back to life. We’re proud to have worked alongside the Colemans and so many other partners to make this project a reality for Pontiac’s historic Seminole Hills neighborhood.”
“There’s a pressing need for more affordable housing options in communities across the state of Michigan, and the redevelopment of Casa Del Rey exemplifies how partners in the public and private sectors can work together to address this challenge,” said David de Velder, IFF’s Director of Lending for Affordable Housing. “This is a project that’s breathing new life into a long-dormant community asset and ensuring that more individuals and families in Oakland County have access to high-quality homes that help them thrive. IFF is excited to celebrate the opening of this extraordinarily impactful project and looks forward to the positive impact Casa del Rey will have on Pontiac.”
Cinnaire Lending also supported the project through a $1.5 million construction bridge loan and its WE Build program, which helps women-led real estate ventures grow and finance community development projects.
“Cinnaire Lending is committed to investing in projects and leaders that strengthen communities. Since connecting with Ronita Coleman through the WE Build program in 2024, we’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand her leadership and vision,” said Jessica Hinton, Assistant Loan Officer with Cinnaire Lending. “Ronita is helping pave the way for women in development, and we are proud to have supported this project from groundbreaking to grand opening.”
To learn more about Casa Del Rey, visit LJGoldenRealty.com/Casa-Del-Rey.
For affordable housing resources, call the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about the Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, visit OaklandCountyMI.gov/HousingTrust or call 248-858-0493.
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