Fox Theatre (Detroit)

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Detroit Fox Theatre
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Fox Theatre lights up 'Foxtown' in downtown Detroit.
Fox Theatre lights up 'Foxtown' in downtown Detroit.
Location: 2111 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Flag of the United States 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

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 the first theatre 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 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]

Contents

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 1970's the theatre was a grimy venue reduced to showing horror and Kung fu movies. Unlike other downtown theatres in 70's like the Michigan, United Artist and Capitol the Fox managed remained open. The 1980's 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.

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.

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 Primere 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.

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.

Fox marquee in downtown Detroit.

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.

  1. ^ 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.

  • 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. 


Coordinates: 42°20′18.96″N, 83°3′8.05″W

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