A prominent early-twentieth-century residential building in southwest Detroit that suffered extensive fire damage is slated for a comprehensive revitalization. Local entrepreneur Omar Hernandez has unveiled detailed plans to rescue, renovate, and reopen the historic two-and-a-half-story structure located at 347 W. Grand Blvd., situated within the established Hubbard Farms neighborhood and historic district.
The ambitious rehabilitation project carries an estimated price tag of nearly $4 million. Under the proposed blueprint, the long-neglected Greek Revival-style apartment house will be fully revived and restructured to accommodate 18 modernized residential apartments, expanding upon the 12 housing units that previously occupied the interior.
The redevelopment initiative achieved a major regulatory milestone on Sept. 9, when members of the Detroit Historic District Commission voted unanimously to grant a certificate of appropriateness for the restoration. The official approval validates the planned preservation measures and supports the comprehensive structural interventions required to make the damaged edifice habitable once again.
In addition to major structural stabilization and extensive interior reconstruction, the approved site design incorporates the adjacent vacant property at 355 W. Grand Blvd. Plans call for transforming this neighboring open parcel into a dedicated, off-street parking lot designed to serve future residents of the multi-unit complex.
The project timeline remains contingent upon securing the remaining financial backing necessary to execute the full scope of work. Hernandez indicated that if the development financing is successfully finalized as anticipated, active construction and rehabilitation efforts could officially commence during the first or second quarter of 2027.
Preservation of the building’s original architectural character serves as a central priority throughout the planned renovation. Hernandez underscored his commitment to retaining historical integrity wherever possible, highlighting plans to carefully salvage and restore authentic structural details, including tall, spacious ceilings alongside original hardwood flooring across the entire apartment complex.
The property has endured a prolonged period of vacancy spanning nearly a decade. All previous tenants vacated the premises back in 2017 following a complete breakdown of the central heating boiler system, an infrastructure failure that was left unaddressed by the ownership at that time and ultimately forced the complete evacuation of the building.
Hernandez stepped forward to purchase the empty property several years after it had been abandoned by its occupants. However, the vacant site faced an even more severe setback last November when a blaze swept through the structure under highly suspicious circumstances, resulting in extensive interior and exterior damage.
City and fire officials treated the destructive incident as deliberate property destruction. Hernandez confirmed that the fire was the direct result of an arsonist targeting the vacant address, though law enforcement and investigative authorities have not yet identified or apprehended any suspects in connection with the crime.
Despite the property's damaged state and years of dormancy, the site continues to generate persistent interest across the regional real estate sector. Hernandez noted that he receives phone inquiries almost every single week from prospective buyers seeking to acquire the historic parcel, but he consistently rejects all outside purchase offers in favor of executing his own restoration vision.
Municipal records submitted to the Detroit Historic District Commission trace the long legacy of the residence back to the early years of the twentieth century. The city initially granted the property's original building permit in 1905, after which the prominent Christa family maintained continuous ownership of the Grand Boulevard residence for more than five decades until 1958.
At 65 years of age, Hernandez brings decades of local redevelopment experience to the Hubbard Farms venture. He has actively purchased, renovated, and managed numerous commercial and residential properties across Detroit since first launching his real estate endeavors in the late 1980s.
Among his well-known local business holdings is the Mexicantown Bakery, a familiar neighborhood staple situated at 4300 Vernor Highway. His long-term commercial investments have established him as an active, enduring figure within the southwest Detroit business community over the course of multiple decades.
In past years, Hernandez also owned and operated prominent entertainment venues within the city limits. One of his most high-profile historic ventures was the former Club International, later known as Club Fantasy, situated at 6060 Fort St. During its operational peak, the popular performance venue hosted prominent national hip-hop and musical artists, including Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and 2 Live Crew.
Hernandez eventually shuttered the Fort Street nightclub approximately a decade ago. He subsequently finalized an agreement to sell the commercial parcel to the Michigan Department of Transportation, facilitating public land acquisition necessary for the infrastructure footprint of the Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing.
While Hernandez has successfully restored approximately a dozen single-family homes across Detroit throughout his career, the Grand Boulevard undertaking represents an unprecedented step forward in scale. The 18-unit Hubbard Farms development stands as his largest residential restoration undertaking to date, as well as his very first foray into multifamily residential apartment rehabilitation.
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