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			.Building Navigation. History Photos Other Materials Our Thoughts The history of Michigan Theatre is gathered from many internet and text sources. Though every attempt is made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. All rights reserved.					BuildingsOfDetroit.COM > Places > Michigan Theatre Michigan Theatre 238 Bagley Street, Detroit  Status: Closed AKA: Michigan Palace, Michigan Building, Michigan Theatre Building Style(s): French Renaissance Architect : Unknown Owner: Bagley Acquisition Corporation Architectural Firm: Rapp & Rapp         The proscenium arch of the Michigan Theatre     The 4,038 seat Michigan Theatre, the only theater creation by famous Chicago architects Rapp & Rapp in the city of Detroit (the Fisher Theater was a 60s renovation created by the firm), was designed in French Renaissance in 1925 for the Kunsky circuit of theaters, and cost over $5 million. It was the third largest theater Rapp & Rapp had designed. The theater was connected to the Bagley Avenue Building (now called the Michigan Building). The theater was extremely detailed, from its auditorium to its four-story lobby, complete with columns, paintings and sculptures imported from Europe. The huge auditorium featured a Wurlitzer organ, side boxes, and stage with orchestra pit. The Michigan opened August 23, 1926 with the film 'You'll Never Know Women'. Kunsky later sold it to the Paramount-Publix chain, who then sold it to United Detroit Theaters in 1933. By then the Michigan's Wurlitzer organ and live stage were gone, and the theater featured only movies. The Michigan's large vertical marquee was condemned by the city and later removed in 1952, and was replaced with a less exciting standard marquee. To keep up with the times, in 1954 a wide screen was installed, in turn damaging the proscenium arch. The theater's attendance started to decline during the 60s, and become unprofitable for the owner, United Detroit, to keep the theater operating, and it soon closed in 1967. Nicolas George bought the theater and attempted to run it later that year, but it also struggled to keep patrons, it closed three years later in 1970. The theater was renamed the Michigan Palace in 1973 and converted into a nightclub and concert venue. Serval bands performed there including David Bowie, Aerosmith, and Kiss, who also did live recordings and album covers at the Palace. The Michigan Palace closed in 1976. Tenants in the adjoining office building needed secure parking, and were threatening to leave to another office building if something was not done. The building owners decided they wanted to demolish the theater portion for parking, since it was not in use. The theater had to be carved into a parking garage because studies on the building showed it would endanger the soundness of the adjoining office building. Due to this, much of the theater remains today, such as its ticket booth, four story lobby, proscenium arch, part of the upper balcony, and even the red curtain. The theater is featured in movies such as '8 Mile' and 'The Island'. The theater also appears in music videos, such as 'Lose Yourself', by Eminem, and 'My Little Birdie', by The Nice Device.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ^top