Have you seen this article? Apparently, this guy got a lot of architectural salvage out of the Mayfair and had it reconstructed, in his house! Unless I had too much wine tonight and got it wrong. But the photos are amazing!
That was such a pretty neighborhood. I’m so sad to hear it’s gone downhill. I used to go to the Romona, as well as the Harper and the Vogue, depending on what was showing.
An exterior shot from the “bad old days”: View link
All the more amazing when you see the “before” pictures. If this doesn’t sell you on the notion of recycling historic buildings, I don’t know what will.
There is now a large Wendy’s with drive-thru on that site. However, on the right of the photo linked above, the bank on the corner of Joseph Campau and Caniff still exists, as well as the white-tiled hamburger stand next to the bank.
The block on the opposite side of the street remains intact, though badly in need of historically appropriate renovation and repair.
Wow, LM, that 1920’s photo is awesome. The current photos show the facade can use some work. I hope they get a cool marquee with some neon. Really packs a punch in small town downtowns.
Evidently, Detroit had quite a flourishing and influential entertainment industry going in the early 1900s. A very interesting article on John Kunsky can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Kunsky
Dang! Another one bites the dust! Let us know what goes up in its place. Probably a generic something….McDonalds or Walgreens.
Bet you can count the number of vintage theaters left in Houston on one hand, now.
This city sucks when it comes to historical preservation. It’s been proven that preservation is income-generating, particularly in a town like this, where old, quality structures are rare. This mentality is totally frustrating.
In 2004 it was 2 Million, now 2 years later, it’s 2.5 Mil? All things considered, it seems like an outrageous price, prohibiting any kind of meaningful rehabilitation.
Such a beautiful building and it only lasted 15 years. Seems people were just as wasteful then as now.
The exterior is very impressive. Sure wish someone could post some interior shots. I can’t imagine the style is “unknown”.
I’d love to see some interior photos. The buildings around it look very nice now. I hope work has already begun.
The building now houses a landscape company.
A good photo from approx. the 1940s:
View link
A good current interior shot in color is here: View link
It was directly in the path of the future I-94. A terrible loss.
Have you seen this article? Apparently, this guy got a lot of architectural salvage out of the Mayfair and had it reconstructed, in his house! Unless I had too much wine tonight and got it wrong. But the photos are amazing!
View link
That was such a pretty neighborhood. I’m so sad to hear it’s gone downhill. I used to go to the Romona, as well as the Harper and the Vogue, depending on what was showing.
An exterior shot from the “bad old days”: View link
All the more amazing when you see the “before” pictures. If this doesn’t sell you on the notion of recycling historic buildings, I don’t know what will.
Here’s a link to a poster for the Strand when it was still The Jeffers in 1911: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1911jeffers.jpg
Now it’s for sale for one million. Sure hope someone saves it. View link
It was featured in a documentary in 1952 about the proposed 20% admissions tax, shown recently on TMC.
A large Family Dollar now occupies the spot at 9048 Joseph Campau, as well as 9028. The address of the family dollar is 9028.
There is now a large Wendy’s with drive-thru on that site. However, on the right of the photo linked above, the bank on the corner of Joseph Campau and Caniff still exists, as well as the white-tiled hamburger stand next to the bank.
The block on the opposite side of the street remains intact, though badly in need of historically appropriate renovation and repair.
Here is another photo showing the Lyceum from the Virtual Motor City/Wayne State University website.
View link
The Caption says “New Detroit Theater” and dated 5-10-1911. You can just barely make out the name on the building.
Hi, John: You can try the WSU Virtual Motor City Site. Here’s the link for the Majestic: View link
You can also look at the archives of the DetroitYes.com website. The threads include lots of photos…some of them personal vintage shots.
Duh….it’s “GhostHUNTERS” on SciFi. “Ghostbusters” is a movie. Double duh!
Featured on “Ghostbusters” on the SciFi Channel tonight. Very interesting episode.
Wow, LM, that 1920’s photo is awesome. The current photos show the facade can use some work. I hope they get a cool marquee with some neon. Really packs a punch in small town downtowns.
Evidently, Detroit had quite a flourishing and influential entertainment industry going in the early 1900s. A very interesting article on John Kunsky can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Kunsky
Franniem: From where have you gotten your information? Who is behind this effort?
Dang! Another one bites the dust! Let us know what goes up in its place. Probably a generic something….McDonalds or Walgreens.
Bet you can count the number of vintage theaters left in Houston on one hand, now.
This city sucks when it comes to historical preservation. It’s been proven that preservation is income-generating, particularly in a town like this, where old, quality structures are rare. This mentality is totally frustrating.
Hard to tell, from the night photos, but seems to be looking better. Wonder what they’ve got planned for the inside?
In 2004 it was 2 Million, now 2 years later, it’s 2.5 Mil? All things considered, it seems like an outrageous price, prohibiting any kind of meaningful rehabilitation.
How do they justify that amount?