A one-of-a-kind boutique bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Detroit’s Little Village
The Story
Discover a mix of history and art at ALEO, a one-of-a-kind boutique bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Detroit’s Little Village cultural neighborhood. Housed in the Shepherd’s transformed rectory, ALEO celebrates its historic charm while embracing the art-focused spirit of its community. Visitors will revel in this artistic oasis as a curated selection of contemporary art from the personal collection of owners Anthony and JJ Curis, co-founders of Library Street Collective, emboldens both the communal spaces and the four available guest suites. The interiors —custom designed by Holly Jonsson Studio — offer guests an immersive journey into the cultural significance of the community with décor that honors and highlights local designers, furnishings reflective of Michigan’s connection to the Mid-century Modern design movement, and work by artists based or rooted in the City of Detroit. ALEO’s mission in promoting the city’s ever-growing creative community is present throughout the bed and breakfast but most significantly on the third floor which serves as the headquarters for artist McArthur Binion’s nonprofit, Modern Ancient Brown Foundation. The organization provides visiting BIPOC scholars, thinkers and/or writers residency at ALEO throughout the duration of their stay.
Discover a mix of history and art at ALEO, a one-of-a-kind boutique bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Detroit’s Little Village cultural neighborhood. Visitors will revel in this artistic oasis as a curated selection of contemporary art from the personal collection of owners Anthony and JJ Curis, co-founders of Library Street Collective, emboldens the former rectory’s communal spaces and guest suites. The interiors, custom designed by Holly Jonsson Studio, feature furnishings and décor that nod to the city’s rich design roots. ALEO’s mission in promoting the local creative community is further demonstrated on the third floor where artist McArthur Binion’s nonprofit Modern Ancient Brown Foundation is headquartered.
Whether a visiting artist, an intrepid traveler, a design connoisseur, or simply one seeking an authentic immersion into the local culture and community, guests will find our luxurious accommodations to be intimate, inclusive, and inspiring. Four guest suites, located on the former rectory’s second floor, feature a thoughtfully curated selection of furnishings and locally rooted art. The contemporary décor is seamlessly at home amongst the rectory’s historic craftsmanship . Crisp linens, views of the outdoor gardens, and personalized service allow guests a space for respite and reflection.
On site, guests can indulge in ALEO’s varied communal spaces which include an intimate living room, a meticulously restored library with a Pewabic-tiled fireplace, a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen, a four-season sunroom with accompanying outdoor garden, and a spacious dining room with direct access to an oversized outdoor patio with sweeping views of the Charles McGee Legacy Park and surrounding grounds. ALEO’s unparalleled hospitality continues for guests with an exquisite breakfast provided by James Beard Award-winning chef, Warda Bouguettaya, whose latest pâtisserie is just a short walk from the suites in an adjacent farmhouse. In addition to Bouguettaya’s original delicacies, guests can enjoy the Shepherd’s ongoing exhibitions and public programming, a library curated by Asmaa Walton of Black Art Library, as well as over 3-acres of public greenspaces thoughtfully designed by New York-based design firm OSD, a Tony Hawk and McArthur Binion-designed skatepark, access to refreshments and more at our onsite cocktail bar Father Forgive Me, and complimentary bikes for enjoying the surrounding neighborhood.
The Events
Comfort, community and art converge at ALEO where our accommodations have been designed to foster a sense of connection to the surrounding neighborhood and cultural campus. The intimate spaces of our first-floor common areas encourage these shared experiences through private events, public programming, meetings, and/or communal meals.