When GaetanoRusso first saw the old brick factory he thought Rain was out of mind at the idea of turning the place into luxury apartments.  Their families had a history of working together.  He knew Rain felt that we work hard, make a lot of sacrifices and deserve a fine place we call home.  He went with her and shared her vision.  After greasing a lot of palms GaetanoRusso was able to negotiate a fair purchasing price.

Rain had countless meetings with the architects because she wasn’t swaying from her design ideas.  The blueprints were finalized and approved.  Gaetan took on the construction (a job he will never do again) but construction was started.  

Gaetano knew this was supposed to be.  With the help of Frank-Cali, over in Chicago, we were able to obtain a very lucrative drug transaction and he invested in the project.    When we heard this news the smile on Rain’s face for priceless.  

People in construction were looking for work.  They were hard working and the foreman’s very professional.  They worked in crews and after 3 months, sometimes around the clock, they got the job done.  It took Rain another 4 months to get the interior décor designs and furnishes in order.  We hired an inventory team and they received 214 shipments from the states and 19 from overseas.  Bentley was in London overseas those shipments.

There wasn’t too much they could do with the outside of the building but the newly constructed arched windows made a significant difference.  The canopied entrance leading to a large glass wrought iron door truly enchanted the front of the building.  Rain also decided to keep the rustic look of the freight elevator with its iron rail gate but did an excellent job on the inside with panelized walls, mahogany trim, and mirrors.

Finally, it was completed.

The 9 stories tall building contains only 16, 2 stories- apartments,  for exceedingly spacious residences.  The duplexes while few of them are alike, they all share such features as sweeping and well-organized layouts.  They feature long galleries, elegant staircases, lush finishes, oversized custom arched windows and universally high ceilings that are a minimum of 12 feet.

With windows custom arched, nutmeg stain solid hardwood floors, Brazilian Black Soapstone counters,  CornuFe in basic black ranges, furniture featuring veneers of beautiful mahogany or stunning tiger maple, marble vanities they were all extremely satisfied with the outcome.

Sleeping Giants Apartments

2016 East Jefferson Avenue

Corktown, Michigan

Duplex Apartments

First floor –  Spacious Living room, Dining room with glittering chandeliers, (6 f formal and elegant with trompe l'oeil painting on the walls) Large Kitchen with faucets in brushed nickel, Brick Fireplace, Entertainment area with built-in bar, Guest bedroom or den,  Crane bathroom.

Art Deco staircase.

Second floor – A large Parlor separating  2 Master bedroom with large sitting area and mini bar with their intricate vaulted ceilings,  ornate fireplaces,  hand-painted wallpaper, and tasseled drapery, mahogany canopy beds, Laundry room, and 2 Crane Bathrooms.

The residence recreation area on the main floor

Resident lounge with specialty drinks and occasional entertainment,  Coffee bar with complimentary coffee and morning Danishes,  Game room with pool tables and board games, a Private poker room,   Indoor pool which opens to a large spacious outdoor patio with two barbeque pits. Business office. Parking garage. 24-hour doorman and elevator operator.

Apartments available: Now renting

Furnished apartment - starting at  $1,800

(Dining room formal and elegant with trompe l'oeil painting on the walls)

Furnished apartment - starting at $1,600 .

Unfurnished apartment - starting at $1,300.

There was a lot of buzz going around about the new apartment building but Rain wanted the leaders of Corktown to have the first look.  She decided to step up a sneak preview open house especially for them.  She sent out the invitations to

Giuseppe_Ligambi, Nicolo_Licata, Carlo-Gambino, KennyRusso, Rebecca_Ferrari, Billy_Mastrosimone, and KTI-

Dear distinguished members of the Corktown community,

You are cordially invited to attend a personal open house viewing of the Sleeping Giants Apartment.

Whether you are looking for a new home, a home away from home, this new charming, elegant and luxurious apartment building, with its fabulous location might be just right for you. Close to everything and yet still far enough away to enjoy the thing that matter.

Stop by our managerment office at your connivance. 

Sleeping Giants Apartments, 2016 East Jefferson Avenue. Corktown, Michigan

Our hospitality staff is waiting to give you a grand tour.

Owners,

Rain,  GaetanoRusso, Frank-Cali

Frank walked into the place smiling.  He was excited that he would see Rain and his uncle Joe.  He best friends Nico the Dice Licata and Kenny Russo and the great Rebecca_Ferrari.  It was a while since he was back in the land of Henry Ford.  The richest man in Detroit.  Frank wanted to kidnap Mr. Fords little boy but Uncle Joe refused to give the go ahead.   He was already paying protection money and Uncle Joe was going to use that tactic just in case Henry short changed him or paid late.

The Apartments looked far better then what rain told him.  She went all out in the planning and finishing touches.  He shook his head as each apartment looked better as you went up each floor.  Frank pulled out his flask as he wondered how much the woman spent on getting the plans drawn up, building permits and construction cast let alone the décor and finishing's she must be far more loaded then Frank thought.  Then he saw the beauty herself and dropped his head as he continued looking over the building.  

The bellhops had pressed uniforms and looked like little soldiers.  The maid service looked so professional he thought he was on a British cruise liner.  The grand opening banquet food was wonderful to.  Frank would have never thought of that and then his boyish smirk slide across his face.  He realized that he was getting a percentage of this establishment and it would be a nice birthday gift every month.   

It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew.  Rain had to bear so much death lately she was almost numb to it.  She knew the best way for her to ease the pain was to continue taking care of business.  Her first step was to notify those she invited that she had postponed her open house. 

@Carlo-Gambino, @KennyRusso, @Rebecca_Ferrari, Billy_Mastrosimone,  @KTI-,  @PhilipLigambi, Joseph_Ligambi

Dear distinguished members of the Corktown community,

I previously extended an invitation to attend the open house for Sleeping Giants Apartments, 2016 East Jefferson Avenue. Corktown.  

Due to the unfortunate death of our dear friend Giuseppe Ligambi, I have postponed the open house for your exclusive viewing, in order for us to get over the shock and our grieving.  I would still like for you to have the first selection of some very fine apartments that I personally decorated with all of you in mind.

Please stop by at your convenience. Our hospitality staff is waiting to give you a grand tour.

 

Owners,

Rain,  @GaetanoRusso, @Frank-Cali

Rain wouldn’t let GaetanoRusso and Frank-Cali see their apartment until she was completely finished decorating them.  Although they tried she made sure they were guarded 24/7. 

She used a lot of earth tones of bold prints to create a masculine appeal.  She personally watched the artists paint the trompe l'oeil painting on the walls in the dining room, making sure they stayed away from the flowery look.  Most of the furniture was bulky, made of mahogany wood.  In the entertainment area, the built-in bar could seat six people and she stocked it with the finest liquor. 

She was doing her final inspections when she was told that Frank had arrived.

She went downstairs to meet him and force him to wear a blindfold.  They laughed all the way to the top floor where his apartment was located.   As they stepped into his parlor she removed his blindfold.

Frank trusted Rain with his life and held her in high regards as he allowed her to blindfold him.  The trust was greatly rewarded once she removed his blind fold.  

Wow this is a nice place here Rain, you live in this one?  Show me the rest lady I wont tell.  By the way do I get one like this?  

They walked around and around looking at lighting and fixtures and closets and the rooms.  The view from the windows was beautiful.  She explain the lake view and how he can see over into Canada.  They laughed and joked about Sicily and the view from Franks window that gave him the birds eye of the barn and the out house and the view from Rains windows window that she could see the farm hand quarters and the potatoes her grandmother wanted planted.  Then Roxie view of several piles of rocks and the mules eating and crapping.

You did well lady not where is my place cause I know you and you love your quiet time and you also enjoy kicking a man out of your apartment just as you enjoy kicking me out of your home in the old country. 

Rain just had to laugh at Frank-Cali.

This is your place. You don't see any feminine touches here.  Why in the hell would I blindfold you to see my place, by the way, mines it's right down the hall. She dragged him from room to room showing him all her personal touches, right down to the wine glasses and oversized bath towels.  She knew he liked to shoot a little pool so she added a pool table in his entertainment area.  This will be your home away from home.  Plus it will be very easy for you to keep an eye on things.   I hope you like everything.

Alfonso had heard about a place that got all dolled up in his new home of Corktown. As the son of immigrants that never had much to their name it took a lot of self convincing before he was willing to inquire about an apartment. Hell, it hasn't even been 6 months since he abandoned the laborer lifestyle he lead in Brooklyn and packed his bags for Corktown. The frugality of his past life was hard to overcome, but he decided after a few days he'd send in a letter and open the door to treating himself a bit. 

Though he worked for some of the owners of the property, he had no idea at the time of writing the letter that they were in fact the owners. The topic never came up in conversation as Alfonso is a pretty reserved guy and doesn't ask many questions. Fairly uneducated outside of the streets, Alfonso threw together the best letter he could and dropped it at the nearest post.

Dear Manger

This leters for 2016 E Jeferson Ave. Names Alfonso Ricci. I hoping to get into one of those apartmints. Dont need nothing special or out of the ordonary. Got my own furnutur. If you got any for rent get back to me wuld you? Wuld like a telefon call at KL5-1227 if its not to much to ask. Prefer not to receve mail at an adres. 

Alfonso Ricci

Rain was so excited to receive her first letter acquiring the rental of an apartment.  She would handle this personally.  She hurried to the phone and called Alfonso_Ricci.

Hello Mr. Ricci, this is Rain from the Sleeping Giants Apartments.  Thank you for acquiring about the availability of an apartment.  We do have an unfurnished apartment available.  Keep in mind the apartments have two floors.  The downstairs includes a living room, dining room, full kitchen, and a large entertaining area.  The upstairs includes a large parlor and two master suites.

You have a choice of two apartments, APT 202 on the second floor or APT 306 on the third floor.  At your convenience please stop by and make your choice with management.

The apartments rent for $1,300 a month.  The first month’s and a $500 security deposit will be due once your lease agreement is signed.   As our first tenant, we will waive the security deposit of $500. If you need additional furniture the hospitality staff will be more than happy to show you our furniture storage rooms and we have made the prices most reasonable.

Thank you for your interest in Sleeping Giants Apartments and we look forward to having you as a tenant.  

Rain hung up the phone with Mr. Ricci feeling very encouraged.  This is a good start.

After a long day of work vice walk home through the hectic streets of Downtown hating the area for being so popular. He found himself losing his temper daily and bringing it home. He decided enough was enough and he wanted to get out of Downtown and move a little closer to work in Corktown.

He dropped by to speak with Rain on renting a new apartment.

Hi rain thank you for taking the time to see me at such a short notice. I have been wanting to get out the City for awhile and the new apartments look perfect. I would like to rent one of your 3 bedroom apartment fully furnished as I sold all my stuff when I left LA.

before we go through the paperwork side of things could I possibly see one of the larger apartments?

Rain was pleased to have Vice inquiring about the rental of an apartment.

I am sorry Vice we only have apartments with 2 master suites on the second floor.  Each apartment basically has the same layout, but distinctly different from the interior décor.

She escorted him to see several furnished apartment and he found APT 308 quite appealing and decided on that one.   They went back down to the management’s office to finalize the paperwork.

The rent on that apartment will be $1,600 a month with a security deposit of $1,000.  As you have seen we have some lovely furnishings in the apartment and we have to protect our investments.  History has proven that not everyone will take care of things and end up destroying some.

Vice understood and had no problem.  The lease agreement was signed and with the first month’s rent and deposit paid she handed him the keys to his new home.

Alfonso was surprised to find out Rain had a hand in all this. He arrived at the apartments and had a look around. He checked out Apt. 202 and Apt. 306. It didn't take long for him to decide on Apt. 202 based on his fear of heights. He met with management and agreed on a one year lease.

I'm payin up front! He said with excitement in his voice. After all this was his first real money spent since beginning to make some real cash. 

To the surprise of management, as soon as he signed the papers he walked out front and began instructing the furniture movers he had hired. He came ready to do business! As he sat back and watched the guys struggle to carry his mahogany furniture upstairs he chuckled knowing he would of never even dreamed of this back in New York. In his eyes he had made it even though this was just the beginning.

As he instructed the movers on just exactly where he wanted his furniture placed in his apartment it was clear that he didn't have the furniture to fill his apartment. As a simple man this didn't really bother him. With one bedroom fully furnished and a decent living area setup, he kicked his feet up and called it a day completely thrilled with his new living arrangement. 

Billy had been all over the place lately. He had a lot to worry about and take care of, and now? Now he was going home. He had handed the keys back to the owner of the apartment on the lower floor and then noticed a note under his door requesting his presence to take a look at a new place. He liked the idea of owning a second place, and from the looks of it, it would be nicer than the one he had now. Maybe he would move into the new one and keep this place for guests. He decided it wasn't going to hurt to look, and so he made his way to East Jefferson.

He made his way into the new building, at least the place looked new, and looked around for the management office. He found it after struggling for a few moments and knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, I'm Billy, I'm here to see Rain about an apartment. She said to come by when I had time in this letter."

Rain felt that things were finally settling down around Corktown and excited that people began to check out Sleeping Giants Apartments.

Sara came to tell her that Billy_Mastrosimone was there to see her.  Allthough they didn’t feel they were so special she did design some of the apartments with the distinguished members of the Corktown community in mind.

She made her way to the management office and greeted Billy.

Well hello there stranger, it’s so nice to see you.   I am glad you came to check the apartments out.   Please come with me and let me show the place off.   She started by showing him the residents area.  She took him the lounge, the café and game room, along with the indoor pool and outside patio and courtyard.

When they finished with that she took him to see a couple of apartments.   She felt APT 408 would be an idea décor for him so she shown him that one last.   Just as she thought he loved the place.

She explained the rent was $1,800 a month with a security deposit of $1,800.  She had spared no expense to make the apartment exquisite. I am sure you will take care of everything it’s just policy.

Now I am not trying to force you to take this one , just feel it would be very comfortable for you and your lifestyle.   We can go back downstairs and you decide.

Billy shook his head.

"Decide what? This is the one right? Is it available, or is it just like a show off kinda place and I gotta wait for the real one to be done?" 

Billy reached into his pocket and produced his billfold.

"I want to start moving my stuff over as soon as I can, do you know any moving guys? I don't want to ask my crew for stupid crap like this you know?"

He pulled out $5,000 and handed it over to Rain.

"You just tell me what I gotta sign and pop a bottle of champagne with me, how's that? Unless you're interested in a full on cocktail celebration down in that fancy lounge once the place fills up."

Rain and Billy_Mastrosimone  were just finishing the paperwork and payments when  Ben the bartender in the lounge delivered the chilled bottle of champagne and glasses to the office,  she had ordered. 

Billy_Mastrosimone popped the bottle of champagne and poured 2 glasses.   They toasted to new beginnings.

She placed the money in the safe and handed Billy his keys to APT 408.  

You also have parking spaces in the garage numbers 408 and 409.   The hospitality team will be more than happy to assist you in moving your belongings.  I know you will be happy here.   As soon as I get a few more tenants we will host a big get acquainted with your neighbor's party. 

Rain sat back and sipped on her champagne.  As they finished she pour another.

Gaetano watched the building across the street while smoking his cigarette. When he finished, he threw the cigarette down and walked toward the place to see how it was inside. Outside it was very beautiful and he could only imagine that it was even better inside. It would be the first time he'd visit the building and he was eager to see the result.

Passing through the iron door, he looked around and could not contain a smile. Rain had done a great job. By the way, he had let her know he was coming, so he just looked around again, now searching for her.

Frank sat at his dinner table eating breakfast still wearing his bathrobe.  He was tired from a night on the town.   Detroit was a nice place to party if you know where to go.  There were so many clubs on Van Dyke and Harper Ave for drinking dancing and other activities that the cops turn a blind eye too.  Detroit was a place that looked dull in the day time but when the sun sets the wolves come to feast and run.  

Reading the papers he saw that last night the Detroit tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3 the Yankees beat the red sox 2-1 that put a smile on his face nothing like winning in another city.  Frank stood to his feet when he saw that his horse Black Gold won the 1924 Kentucky Derby.  He rushed to the phone and called the trainer and congratulated him then he called the majority share owner and breeder of Black Gold to see if he placed the bet.  

Frank horse had a 2-1 odds making the horse the favorite to win and Black Gold won.  Frank made 35 grand from baseball and the horse so he sat back and smiled gambling can pay off when you have inside information.

He nearly slept when arriving to this hotel, he fast got a key, got yp to apartment no 636 and opened the door and finally saw a bed, he jumped on the bed and fall asleep with all cloths on, didnt bother since he were about to take a shower and change clothes in the morning.

Today was the day that Rain and GaetanoRusso were actually going to move into their apartments.  Rain had Gaetano ’s apartment under tight security and he hadn’t seen it yet. He tried to threaten security a couple of time but they weren’t having it.  She had turned it into the perfect bachelor pad.

We went to see mines first just to throw him off a little.  My apartment was very feminine with dainty, elegant furnishings. The bathrooms made up of pastel colors.  He said it was beautiful but I knew in the back of his mind he was saying “Oh boy I wonder what mines look like”.

When we arrived at his apartment  APT 506 security was still on board.  I told them I was ready for him to move in.   As we walked into the apartment the look on Gaetano’s face was priceless.  I used the same concepts as Frank-Cali and KennyRusso apartments with the bold earth tones and the large mahogany furniture.  The bathrooms were of black marble.  The built-in bar seated eight in his entertainment area and included a mirrored back with stylish glass shelves with a wine rack.  In his master bedroom was a platform bed custom built with three steps to the mattress. It also featured a large brick fireplace.

Not quite like mines, I said.