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			.Building Navigation. History Old Photos Photos Other Materials Our Thoughts The history of United Artists Theater 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 > United Artists Theater United Artists Theater 150 Bagley Street, Detroit  Status: Closed AKA: The Downtown Style(s): Spanish Gothic Architect : Charles Howard Crane Owner: Olympia Development Architectural Firm: Unknown         The now-demolished marquee of the United Artists     The theater and adjoining office buildings were designed in Spanish Gothic style by famed architect C. Howard Crane and built in 1927. The theater was built primarily for films. It was the 17th theater in the United Artists' chain. The 13-story office tower was built in case the theater could become unprofitable. It was known as the "Currency Exchange Building". Costing $1.2 Million, the 2070 seat theater opened on February 3rd, 1928 with the showing of 'Sadie Thompson'. At the show star Gloria Swanson addressed the audience by telephone, and opened the curtain for the first time. The United Artists featured a grand circular lobby, complete with floor to ceiling maidens on the walls. The United Artists' auditorium was said to be acoustically perfect, and was decorated with Gothic plaster, and interesting brass light fixtures. The Detroit United Artists was the better of the 2 other UA theaters Howard Crane had previously done. Even though the United Artists was built primarily for films, it had an orchestra led by Hugo Riesenfield, and occasionally featured stage shows for a short period. The theater was built with a 3 Manual, 15 Rank Wurlitzer organ. In the 1940's it was acquired by the United Detroit theater chain before being sold back to the United Artists chain in 1950. The United Artists at many times featured reserved seating, such as when it held the Detroit premiere of 'Gone With the Wind' in 1930. In addition to premieres, the United Artists was the first theater in Detroit to install Cinema-scope in 1953, and 70 mm in 1956. In the early 60's remodeling took place to modernize the theater. The remodeling placed a drop ceiling in the round lobby, but most of the remodeling took place on the exterior of the theater, covering up its terra-cotta with dark marble, and the large 10 story marquee was replaced with a modern marquee still in place today This marks the United Artists' decline. By the early 60's, the United Artists began to have long runs of blockbuster hits, but it could not survive doing that. The theater soon reopened showing adult films, later closing in 1971. In a failed attempt, the theater was opened and renamed the Downtown in 1972, later closing in 1974. The United Artists Theater was closed for good. That did not mean the end of any activity though. In 1975, all of the theater's furnishings, fixtures, and artwork were auctioned off. Later the Detroit Symphony Orchestra used the United Artists for recordings in the mid to late 70's. Fortunately the office tower was occupied, but all the tenants started to move to the suburbs, the last tenant to go was in 1984. Since the closing many plans to restore it back into a theater or into a nightclub have came and gone. Since the late 1980's brickwork has collapsed onto the street below, a chilling reminder of how much disrepair the theater is in. In the 90's, Little Caesars owner Mike Ilitch acquired the United Artists. He has no plans to redevelop the property and it has sat open to vandals many times. The interior has been stripped of most of its decor, and has been open to the elements. During the month of November 2004, the exterior was used in a futuristic movie titled "The Island." In February 2005 the bottom of the theater marquee collapsed onto the sidewalk below. The city of Detroit placed multiple tickets and barricades. After a few months the site was cleaned of the debris showing hidden detailing of the former terra cotta exterior. During the month of December 2005, the building had a clean-up that resulted in the installment of new doors, the dismantling of the marquee, and removal of the window graffiti. The property had banners hung in January 2006, advertising a "Development Opportunity". The property is being jointly marketed with the Statler Hotel lot by Olympia Development and the Downtown Development Authority.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ^top