The Quo Vadis Entertainment Center (also known as the Quo Vadis or the Penthouse Theater) is a now-shuttered movie theater in Westland, Michigan. It has remained closed to the public since its closure in 2002, and will be demolished soon. Demolition equipment was delivered on March 8, 2011.
Contents |
The Quo Vadis Entertainment Center is the fruit of Martin and Charlie Shafer's hard work and determination to build a movie palace. The structure was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, most well known for designing the World Trade Centers, destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The Quo Vadis Entertainment Center opened in 1966. Its outside features a very Modernistic appearance while its interior once featured a very Romanistic design. The Quo Vadis was often regarded as a Movie Palace for its plush environment and cocktail lounge. It was one of the first cinemas to offer cocktail drinks to its patrons and was well known for its "Over 21 Club" cocktail lounge on the second floor. The Quo Vadis also offered patrons of the "Over 21 Club" headphones to watch movies at the (formerly adjacent) Algiers Drive-In through a "picture window wall". The Algiers Drive-In was demolished in 1985 to make way for a shopping center. [1][2]
National Amusements purchased the property in 1986 and is still the owner as of October 2010. [3]
In late 2007, a group called "The Quo Vadis Preservation Foundation" was created to try to save the theater and preserve/reopen the building with a practical application. This group has gotten a lot of media coverage specifically focusing on the fact that the founders of this group are teenagers trying to make a difference. Many local residents and photographers appreciate the history and design of this building. Most are ignorant of the design significance.
Though there were efforts to save the old theater, there are also people from the area pushing to see it torn down. Some residents believe that the building is an eyesore and the property should be used for something useful to the public and the local economy.
Final demolition was completed in June, 2011. The property is now a vacant lot.