Detroit, September 24, 2025
News Summary
The City of Detroit has permanently closed the historic Hotel Yorba due to multiple safety hazards including a leaky roof and severe insect infestations. City inspectors found missing smoke detectors and unsafe living conditions, prompting the closure after an immediate vacate order was issued. The hotel, a notable landmark and once a rooming house for vulnerable residents, now leaves many tenants displaced as the city works to assist them in finding shelter.
Detroit – The City of Detroit has permanently closed the historic Hotel Yorba due to multiple safety hazards found within the building. This decision came after an immediate vacate order was issued on Monday morning, September 22, 2025, following inspections that revealed unsafe living conditions.
City inspectors identified significant problems that prompted the closure, including a leaky roof, collapsing ceilings, and severe insect infestations. They also discovered missing and defective smoke detectors and a nonfunctional fire alarm panel, which further confirmed the building was not safe for habitation.
Located at 4020 W. Lafayette Blvd in southwest Detroit, the four-story hotel boasts 250 rooms and has become part of local lore, particularly for its mention in the acclaimed song “Hotel Yorba” by The White Stripes. Built in 1926, it contributes to the historical fabric of the area and was originally designed by the architecture firm Pollmar & Ropes, costing less than $200,000 to build.
The initial notice to vacate was served on September 3, compelling occupants to leave by September 10. However, some residents reentered the premises despite the order, prompting city inspectors to return and reinforce the closure by boarding up the building. The city’s Housing Services division is working with at least 20 displaced former tenants to assist them in finding alternative housing and shelter following the eviction.
In recent decades, the Hotel Yorba has functioned as a downmarket rooming house, providing accommodations to individuals often on the brink of homelessness. Historical records indicate that approximately 20 years ago, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections housed parolees there, a practice that has since ended. Many past residents have reported unsanitary living conditions characterized by infestations of cockroaches and rats.
For those affected by the closure, the hotel served as a final stop before potential homelessness, highlighting the vulnerabilities many residents faced. While the city has stepped in to provide assistance, the abrupt nature of the closure has left some tenants scrambling for immediate shelter options.
The current owner of the hotel is Jerry Jankowski, who has yet to comment on the enforcement of the vacate order. Notably, the property is currently listed for sale at a price of $2.5 million, indicating ongoing efforts to address the building’s future. Its cultural recognition persists, notably due to its association with The White Stripes, as well as its visibility from Interstate 75, where it once stood as a recognizable landmark in southwest Detroit.
The closure of the Hotel Yorba reflects broader concerns about housing safety and tenant welfare in Detroit, particularly in how the city addresses aging buildings that may no longer meet necessary living standards. As inspections continue and displaced residents secure new housing, the story of the Hotel Yorba marks a significant chapter in Detroit’s ongoing narrative of housing and urban development.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Hotel Yorba Closure
- Click on Detroit: Hotel Yorba Deemed Unsafe
- Crain’s Detroit: Hotel Yorba Closure Announcement
- Patch: Detroit Closes Historic Hotel
- Metro Times: Hotel Yorba on the Market
- Wikipedia: Hotel Yorba
- Google Search: Detroit Housing Issues
- Google Scholar: Detroit Housing Policy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
- Google News: Detroit Urban Development
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
