Bonstelle Theatre facts for kids
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Temple Beth-El
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 3424 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Albert Kahn; C. Howard Crane |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Part of | Midtown Woodward Historic District (ID08001106) |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Ave. TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002911 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
| Designated CP | November 26, 2008 |
The Bonstelle Theatre is a cool building in Detroit, Michigan. It's located on Woodward Avenue. This building used to be a synagogue, which is a Jewish house of worship. Now, it's a theater and event space owned by Wayne State University. It was built way back in 1902. The building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
In July 2025, the Bonstelle Theatre finished a big renovation. It is now a place for many different events. There is also a Marriott AC Hotel connected to it.
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Building a New Temple
In 1899, Rabbi Leo M. Franklin started leading services at Temple Beth El. He thought a new building on Woodward Avenue would make the Jewish community more visible. So, in October 1900, the people of the temple decided to build a new place.
They bought land for the new temple in April 1901. They asked Albert Kahn, who was a member, to design the building. Construction started on November 25, 1901. The first services were held in the chapel on January 24, 1903. The temple was officially opened on September 18–19, 1903.
Design of the Building
The Bonstelle Theatre building has a special design style called Beaux-Arts. This style was inspired by old Roman and Greek temples. The architect, Albert Kahn, designed the outside of the building. Many people say it looks a lot like the Pantheon in Rome.
The building has a large dome over its main area. There are also gabled wings on the north and south sides. The front of the building used to have a porch. But in 1936, the city made Woodward Avenue wider. Because of this, the front part of the building was removed.
From Temple to Theatre
In 1922, the Temple Beth El group built a new temple further north. They sold their old building to Jessie Bonstelle for $500,000. Jessie Bonstelle was a theater manager. She hired an architect named C. Howard Crane to change the building into a theater. She named it the Bonstelle Playhouse.
Later, in 1928, the Bonstelle Playhouse became the Detroit Civic Theatre. In the 1930s, it was a movie theater called the Mayfair Motion Picture Theater.
In 1951, Wayne State University started renting the building for their theater group. They bought it in 1956. They renamed it the Bonstelle Theatre to honor Jessie Bonstelle.
Recent Changes
In 2019, Wayne State University made a deal to lease the theater. A company called The Roxbury Group planned to renovate it. The Bonstelle Theatre was integrated into a new hotel by AC Hotels. This hotel opened in 2024.
The last play performed by Wayne State University at the Bonstelle was A Christmas Carol in December 2019. Wayne State University's theater shows are now performed at the new Hilberry Gateway.
Gallery
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Temple Beth El, around 1905
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Jessie Bonstelle in 1908
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The Bonstelle Theatre in 2008
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The Bonstelle in 2023, after its closure, with the site of the future hotel to the left
See also
In Spanish: Templo Beth-El (edificio de 1902) para niños
- History of the Jews in Metro Detroit
