Champion Homebuilders of Troy, Mich. has been selected to provide 36 modular homes as part of phase two of Detroit’s Penrose neighborhood rebuild. The initial 36 homes in the effort, orchestrated by developer Star Development Corp. of Ann Arbor, Mich., were also Champion products, as is Penrose Art Center, an art and community center in the neighborhood. Phase two is comprised of 14 single-family homes and 12 duplexes, all affordable rentals. As MHProNews has learned from prweb.com, the units are energy efficient and include appliances, vinyl double hung windows and Energy Star lighting. The single-family homes have either two or three bedrooms and 1,400 to 1,500 square feet. All the dwellings include a basement and single car garage, and are built in a style reminiscent of the turn of the original neighborhood. Said Penrose Architect, Steven Flum, “We worked closely with Champion and Star Development to ensure the new homes resembled the existing turn of the century style of the old neighborhood. We find it deeply gratifying to be part of a project of this caliber and to work with two companies that prioritize the needs of the neighborhood in conjunction with business goals.” The neighborhood has a strong focus on Detroit’s urban farming initiative in its attempt to restore a sense of community. Champion Homebuilders manufactures factory-built structures at 30 facilities in the U. S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
