Majestic Theatre (Detroit) facts for kids
The Majestic Theatre is a historic building in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. It's a popular place for music concerts and other events today. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 because of its important history and unique design.
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The Majestic Theatre
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Majestic Theatre in 2008
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| Michigan | |
| Location | 4120-4140 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Nearest city | Woodward Avenue |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | C. Howard Crane; Bennett & Straight |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Restored |
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| Restored by | Majestic Theatre Center |
| Visitation | 1100 (2019–2021) |
| Part of | Majestic Theatre Center (Majestic Theatres) |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000577 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 02, 2008 |
| Boundary increase | $1,000,000 (renovations) |
Contents
History of the Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre first opened its doors on April 1, 1915. It was designed by a famous architect named C. Howard Crane. When it first opened, it was a very large movie theater. It could seat 1,651 people.
Changes to the Building
The front of the theater was originally designed in an Italian style. In 1934, part of the front was removed. This happened when Woodward Avenue was made wider. The entire front of the building was then redesigned. It was given a cool new look called Art Deco. This new design used large enameled metal panels. Today, it has the biggest Art Deco metal panel front in the Detroit area.
New Owners and Renovations
After some time, the theater closed down. The building was used as a church for a while. Later, it became a photography studio. It was empty for ten years. The current owner bought the building in 1984.
In 2008, the Majestic Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historic site. In 2018, the owners announced big plans. They promised to spend $1,000,000 to make the building even better. On October 25, 2019, the theater showed off its new sign facing Woodward Avenue.
The Harry Houdini Myth
There's a story that the famous magician Harry Houdini gave his last show here. People thought it happened on Halloween night in 1926. However, this is just a myth. Houdini actually performed his last show at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit. He passed away a few days later on October 31, 1926.
What the Majestic Theatre is Used For Today
Today, the Majestic Theatre is a busy music venue. It hosts many different concerts. The building has three main areas for shows. These are The Majestic, The Majestic Cafe, and The Magic Stick.
The Majestic Theatre Center
The Majestic Theatre is part of a larger group of places called the Majestic Theatre Center. This center also includes other fun spots. You can find the Garden Bowl bowling alley there. There's also The Majestic Cafe, The Magic Stick, and Sgt. Pepperoni's.
The venue is also used for other events. For example, on October 30, a professional wrestling show called Devil's Night was held there. It featured famous wrestlers like Matt Riddle and Colt Cabana.
See also
In Spanish: Majestic Theater (Detroit) para niños
