The Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit was founded in 1701 and is the second oldest continuously operating parish in America. The beautiful neo-Gothic basilica and surrounding buildings are an architectural gem in the heart of Detroit. The convent was built in the 1860s on the Ste Anne’s Parish complex and is now a part of the Historic District in the shadows of the Ambassador Bridge. The renovation of the Ste. Anne’s Convent for Unwed Mothers was completed under the guidelines of the City of Detroit Building Department and City of Detroit Historic Commission.

The renovation included uilding exterior work which consisted of tuck pointing of the original brick, updating of the exterior security lighting, removal and replacement of failed concrete and new guard rails for the elevated patios and front main entry.

The interior of the building was a complete renovation. The demolition work in a building constructed in the 1800’s to accommodate the new layout offered quite a few unforeseen challenges from asbestos remediation to demising walls that were not constructed to today’s building codes. Throughout the demo, Roncelli took great care in maintaining the original grand stairwell along with the original base boards and window trim. The reconfiguration of the interior consisted of a new 2500-lb. electric elevator, a four-story service stairwell, a new kitchen, 10 bedrooms, a laundry room, a community room, a dining room, a computer lab and four new bathrooms on three different levels.

The mechanical, electrical and plumbing portion of the work brought the building up to today’s building code standards and beyond. Roncelli took this work to a new level to insure the mothers and babies have all the convenience and comforts available. The installation of the new fire suppression system and fire alarm system will let the occupants in the building sleep well at night.