A retrofit canopy luminaire assembly adapted for downward illumination and having a housing with inwardly-directed ledges near the lower edges of the housing. The luminaire has at least two support brackets secured to at least one of the ledges; a face plate removably secured to the brackets on the lower side of the housing; and a hanging tether attached to one of the brackets and to the face plate. The face plate is adapted to hold lighting fixture components. When the face plate is removed from the brackets, the face plate hangs freely held by the tether to allow free access to the inside of the luminaire.