Tigris Tower
An aerial view of the housing project along Van Dyke Avenue.
A new era of affordable, community-centered housing
By Jenna Abroo
The saying “home is where the heart is” rings true for many, but what happens when rising housing prices make owning or renting a home unattainable?
The recovery from the 2008 economic crisis was slow in Michigan, with metro Detroit facing challenges such as economic instability and population loss. In the early 2000s, the region began to see a gradual rebound. The city’s housing market saw a slow but steady recovery, with property values rising in specific neighborhoods, especially those closer to the city’s cultural and employment hubs.
Meanwhile, the suburbs, especially areas like Ann Arbor and Macomb County, continued to grow due to their more stable housing markets, access to good schools, and proximity to the region’s remaining job centers. However, the region also faced a lack of affordable housing, with inventory levels at historic lows, driving up prices and making it harder for first-time homebuyers to enter the market. That hasn’t changed.
Dan Elsea, president of Brokerage Services at the Real Estate One Family of Companies, projects home prices in southeast Michigan to rise by 3-5% through 2025. With affordable housing becoming harder to find, residents in the region are in need of options that not only offer affordable living but also access to essential amenities.
Tigris Tower, opening within the next couple of months, will offer just that. Located at 43700 Van Dyke, the four-story apartment building is a collaborative project between the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) and the City of Sterling Heights. The development will feature 135 apartment units, 190 parking spaces, and 9,000 square feet of commercial space, with plans to include a pharmacy, urgent care, and food market.
Additionally, seven acres of wetland area will be preserved as a public park along the banks of the Clinton River. A future boardwalk trail will connect the property to the river and Jimmy John’s Field, further enhancing the site’s appeal for residents and visitors.
In this case, “attainable housing” doesn’t mean cheaply built. The building will provide luxury amenities such as energy-efficient appliances, individual unit heating and cooling, in-unit laundry, and access to fiber internet. In partnership with DTE, residential units will run on all-electric systems, including energy-efficient heat pumps. The ground floor will feature a fitness center, package lockers, bike racks, and community rooms. One- and two-bedroom apartments will be available to tenants, catering to families of all sizes.
Project manager Tom Haji explained that the Chaldean Community Foundation recognized a need for long-term housing in the area based on the feedback from the community they serve. Investing in an area where many Chaldean families live made sense, and the hope is to inspire others to invest in the region as well. The project’s combination of residential and retail space makes it a cultural destination.
Martin Manna, president of CCF, said, “We think this is the first of many developments in that area that will serve our population.” Plans are already underway for a second attainable housing project in Macomb County, Tigris Tower II.
Tigris Tower will provide accessible housing options for individuals and families at or below 60% of the Area Median Income for Macomb County. The Chaldean Community Foundation is well-known for its philanthropic work in metro Detroit, and this development continues that mission.
While the apartments are not limited to Chaldean applicants, they were originally conceived to serve the Chaldean community, which like most other communities in southeast Michigan faces challenges due to rising home values, tight housing inventory, and fluctuating mortgage rates. Tigris Tower offers affordable rents and walkable amenities that will benefit tenants and nearby residents alike.
Finding affordable housing can be overwhelming, and the opening of Tigris Tower and the future Tigris Tower II will provide a valuable resource for both the Chaldean community and the broader metro Detroit area. With accessible pricing, luxurious amenities, and a prime location, Tigris Tower is set to be a key development that will positively impact many lives. As the project nears completion, we look forward to seeing the lasting benefits it will bring to our community.
The Tigris Tower’s temporary office is located at 42250 Hayes Road in Clinton Township and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to schedule a tour, call (248) 602-6745 or email tigristower@continentalmgt.com.
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An aerial view of the housing project along Van Dyke Avenue.
Interior views of the living quarters’ various layouts.