Fox Theatre (Detroit)
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| Detroit Fox Theatre | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | 2111 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan  United States |
| Built/Founded: | 1928 10 floors Office/Theatre |
| Architect: | C. Howard Crane Restoration by William Kessler |
| Architectural style(s): | Art Deco facade |
| Added to NRHP: | June 29, 1989 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 85000280 |
| Governing body: | Olympia Entertainment |
The Fox Theatre near Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit, Michigan was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989. From the Roaring Twenties, it is one of the first theatres to feature live sound. Located within the Detroit Theatre District, this ornate performance center has 5048 seats, (5174 seats if removable seats placed in the raised orchestra pit are included). It, along with its identical twin, the Fabulous Fox theatre in St. Louis, MO, is the largest Fox and the second largest theatre in the country after the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Fox was fully restored in 1988.[1]
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[edit] History
The Detroit Fox is the largest of the Fox Theaters. Built in 1928 for William Fox, founder of 20th Century Fox, it was the first movie palace to have live sound. The architect, C. Howard Crane, designed a lavish interior blend of Burmese, Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. There are three levels of seating, the Main Floor above the orchestra pit, the Mezzanine, and the Gallery (balcony). The exterior of the attached 10-story building features an Art Deco facade, which at night is illuminated and can be seen for several blocks.
The Fox remained Detroit's premier movie destination for decades. By the 1970s the theatre was a grimy venue reduced to showing horror and Kung fu movies. Unlike other downtown theatres in the 70s like the Michigan, United Artist and Capitol the Fox managed to remain open. The 1980s brought new hope for the Fox when in 1984 Chuck Forbes owner of State and Gem theaters, Forbes though was unable complete his renovation plans.[clarify]
In 1988 the theater underwent a $12 million renovation by its new owners Mike and Marian Ilitch.[1] Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in the Fox Theater Office Building. The area of downtown near Grand Circus Park which encompasses Fox Theatre is some referred to as Foxtown after the theater . In 2000 Comerica Park opened and helped to revitalize the area along with Ford Field in 2002. The Fox is Detroit’s top venue for Broadway shows.
[edit] Productions
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular was an annual favorite from 1997 through 2005. The theatre was host to the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on March 31, 2007, the night before WrestleMania 23, being held at nearby Ford Field. As well as The Condemned World Premiere the night before on March 30, 2007. Other live productions have included Sesame Street Live: Let's Be Friends, David Copperfield, Blue's Clues' Live! as well as show tours, such as Donny Osmond, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Dora The Explorer! Live, and in April of 2007, Go! Diego! Live! with Liz Coscia, after Sesame Street Live productions, in 1998-2008.
[edit] Photo gallery
 Ticket office. |
 Theatre doors. |
 Fox Theatre marquee |
 The marquee, a little out of focus, ablaze. |
 Fox Theatre building includes Little Caesars head office and test kitchens. |
 The marquee and banner showing "Foxtown" |
 Fox Theatre Griffins atop the marquee. |
 Directly across Woodward is Comerica Park. |
 Twilight dies in the glowing marquee. |
 TVs big enough to watch from the street draw ticketless fans to Foxtown at night. |
 Theatre and Church in the background. |
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Hodges, Michael H. (September 8, 2003).Fox Theater's rebirth ushered in city's renewal. Michigan History, The Detroit News. Retrieved on November 23, 2007.
[edit] References and further reading
- Hauser, Michael and Marianne Weldon (2006). Downtown Detroit's Movie Palaces (Images of America). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-4102-8.
- Hill, Eric J. and John Gallagher (2002). AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3120-3.
- Meyer, Katherine Mattingly and Martin C.P. McElroy with Introduction by W. Hawkins Ferry, Hon A.I.A. (1980). Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised Edition. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1651-4.
- Sharoff, Robert (2005). American City: Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3270-6.
[edit] External links
- Official Site
- http://www.buildingphotos.com/venues/fox.shtml
- Michigan.gov - National Historic Landmarks in Michigan: Fox Theater Building
- Video review of the Fox Theatre
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