Built as one of Detroit’s prestigious downtown theatres it operated from the mid 20’s till the 1970’s, after a short stint as a nightclub. As for it’s current occupation, the theatre office building was and still is in use however tenants threatened to move out if they couldn’t get adequate parking. Since the theatre couldn’t be torn down without knocking down the whole building, the landlord concmverted the empty theatre into a parking garage. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Building
This one is really bizarre, very interesting, also pretty sad.
moose098says
At least it’s still standing. The same can’t be said for most buildings on here.
apollo11341says
Were the columns just finished and painted to look like marble a la the national building museum? Or did they actually strip off the marble
custardfiendsays
There is an old theater called Capital Theater on Church Square in Pretoria, South Africa which is said to have had the widest unsupported domed roof in the Southern Hemisphere when it was built. Not sure how true it is though. Anyway point is it is a beautiful lost gem and is also used as a parking garage. So sad. I’ll take some photos and post here if I’m there again.
JizuzCrustsays
It’s crazy to think about how glorious and beautiful Detroit was. Also nuts how this could happen to any American city, if their local economies collapse. Sure if NYC or other powerhouses collapse we all might feel it, but still.
ProphessorHappysays
Why is Detroit like this?
swingfire23says
Was this used as a filming location in 8 Mile? It seems familiar.
CrotchWolf says
Built as one of Detroit’s prestigious downtown theatres it operated from the mid 20’s till the 1970’s, after a short stint as a nightclub. As for it’s current occupation, the theatre office building was and still is in use however tenants threatened to move out if they couldn’t get adequate parking. Since the theatre couldn’t be torn down without knocking down the whole building, the landlord concmverted the empty theatre into a parking garage.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Building
The auditorium before: https://i.huffpost.com/gen/1946502/original.jpg
The auditorium today: https://cdn.archpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5511990545_07308a5e45_z.jpg
finix240 says
This one is really bizarre, very interesting, also pretty sad.
moose098 says
At least it’s still standing. The same can’t be said for most buildings on here.
apollo11341 says
Were the columns just finished and painted to look like marble a la the national building museum? Or did they actually strip off the marble
custardfiend says
There is an old theater called Capital Theater on Church Square in Pretoria, South Africa which is said to have had the widest unsupported domed roof in the Southern Hemisphere when it was built. Not sure how true it is though. Anyway point is it is a beautiful lost gem and is also used as a parking garage. So sad. I’ll take some photos and post here if I’m there again.
JizuzCrust says
It’s crazy to think about how glorious and beautiful Detroit was. Also nuts how this could happen to any American city, if their local economies collapse. Sure if NYC or other powerhouses collapse we all might feel it, but still.
ProphessorHappy says
Why is Detroit like this?
swingfire23 says
Was this used as a filming location in 8 Mile? It seems familiar.