The Michigan Theater, in downtown Detroit, opened for business in 1926. The ornate theater, which could seat 4,000, was designed by architects Cornelius W. and George L. Rapp.
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| Courtesy of Jalopnik |
Sadly, the theater, and the 13-story office tower of which it was part, was destined for failure. As Detroit boomed from the great success of Ford, modern skyscrapers with vital free parking facilities were built around the city. The Michigan Theater lacked such amenities, and it was soon forced out of business.
Then in 1977, in a cruel twist of irony, owners of the building decided the best use for the theater would be as a parking garage. So the building was gutted and three levels of parking were added. One wall of the lobby and the grand staircase were removed, but most of the interior remains. Parts of the upper balcony, the ticket booth, and even part of the red curtain are still there.
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| Courtesy of Jalopnik |
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| Courtesy of Jalopnik |
While the parking garage transformation is ironic, what was on the site originally is even more so. Before the theater was built, the site housed Henry Ford's first workshop.
Thanks to Jalopnik for this one.
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