The Michigan was built in 1926 by the architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp as a concert hall and movie theater. In the 1970's the theater hosted many rock concerts featuring the top acts of the day. It was during this time as a club/concert venue that the theater began to fall into decline. Finally, in 1976, the theater was closed and demolition began. However, due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure rather than demolishing the theater completely.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Downtown Historic Movie Palace Tour Part 2
Continuing on the Downtown Historic Movie Palace Tour, this all that remains of the auditorium to the Michigan Theater in Detroit.
The Michigan was built in 1926 by the architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp as a concert hall and movie theater. In the 1970's the theater hosted many rock concerts featuring the top acts of the day. It was during this time as a club/concert venue that the theater began to fall into decline. Finally, in 1976, the theater was closed and demolition began. However, due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure rather than demolishing the theater completely.
The Michigan was built in 1926 by the architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp as a concert hall and movie theater. In the 1970's the theater hosted many rock concerts featuring the top acts of the day. It was during this time as a club/concert venue that the theater began to fall into decline. Finally, in 1976, the theater was closed and demolition began. However, due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure rather than demolishing the theater completely.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Downtown Historic Movie Palace Tour Part 1
Preservation Wayne conducted their largest annual tour on August 18th, their Downtown Historic Movie Palace Tour. Here is a glimpse at the remains of the lobby to the Oriental Theater. The Oriental Theater was located on West Adams Ave. It was the only atmospheric theater ever be built in Downtown Detroit. The Auditorium was demolished in 1953 but the attached building where the lobby was located still exists today as the Park Apartments building.
Water Winter Wonderland has some additional, earlier photos of the lobby.
Water Winter Wonderland has some additional, earlier photos of the lobby.
Ilitch Blocker Redux
If you recall, this past spring I speculated that demolition and reconstruction of the CC Bar was an effort by the owners to inflate the value of the property in order to extort more money from Olympia Development. Olympia has been buying more land behind the Fox Theater causing widespread speculation that this is to be the location of a new arena for the Red Wings.
I stopped by today to see if any progress had been made on the bar as work papered to have stalled over the summer. Far from there being any progress, the bar seems to be in a state of deconstruction once again.
While a new expiration date for the Red Wings lease at Joe Louis Arena has been determined, I am left once again to speculate. Have the owners finally sold out to Ilitch, or did the building inspectors determine some flaw in the construction that is forcing the builders to start from scratch?
CC Bar Pre- Demolition
Reconstruction May 2007
Demolished once again August 2007
May 2007
August 2007
I stopped by today to see if any progress had been made on the bar as work papered to have stalled over the summer. Far from there being any progress, the bar seems to be in a state of deconstruction once again.
While a new expiration date for the Red Wings lease at Joe Louis Arena has been determined, I am left once again to speculate. Have the owners finally sold out to Ilitch, or did the building inspectors determine some flaw in the construction that is forcing the builders to start from scratch?
CC Bar Pre- Demolition
Reconstruction May 2007
Demolished once again August 2007
May 2007
August 2007Thursday, August 09, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Not Quite Ready (Update)
Rivard Plaza held it's soft opening last Wednesday. By all accounts it has been a huge success. The Plaza is beautiful and there was plenty of traffic between Rivard and Hart Plaza on Saturday. I can only imagine what it will be like once the @water and Water Mark projects have been completed. Hopefully, retail and restaurants won't be far too behind.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Mid-Med Lofts Update
The exterior work is almost done on the Mid-Med Lofts conversion. They've come a long way.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Ilitch Blocker
The owner of the CC Bar appears to be ready to cash in on the speculation related to the rumors that a new Red Wings arena will be built behind the Fox Theater. Mike Ilitch owns the majority of the vacant land West of Park Avenue with a few exceptions. With the demolition of the Hotel Vermont and Olympia Developments' involvement in other land acquisition in the area it appears that something is in the works.
So question is why rebuild almost completely from the ground up on a site that is almost certainly within the footprint of a new arena? Is the intention to rake in the cash from the foot traffic created by a new arena, or is the idea to put up some cheap construction in order to raise the property value in advance of an impending land grab? Either way it appears that the owners are trying to stick it to Mr. Mike.
The CC Bar was completely demolished except for two exterior walls prior to the new construction seen below.
So question is why rebuild almost completely from the ground up on a site that is almost certainly within the footprint of a new arena? Is the intention to rake in the cash from the foot traffic created by a new arena, or is the idea to put up some cheap construction in order to raise the property value in advance of an impending land grab? Either way it appears that the owners are trying to stick it to Mr. Mike.