Norwest 1 & 2 Theatres
17630 Grand River Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48227
17630 Grand River Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48227
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: United Detroit Theaters
Architects: Hector G. Payne
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Norwest Theatre
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Aug 27, 2004 — Norwest 1 & 2 Theatres Demolished
- Aug 20, 2004 — Norwest Demolition Begins
- Jul 15, 2004 — Norwest Theatre to be Demolished Next Week
The Art Deco style Norwest Theatre opened in 1936, designed by Hector Payne, who also designed the Varsity Theatre the same year. The Norwest Theatre could seat 1,366 and was a first run house until closing around 1978.
In 1979, it was reopened as a bargain second-run house, by Robert Sloan, who also operated the sadly demolished Art Deco style Metro Mercury Theatre as well, which was located not far from the Norwest Theatre.
At some point during the 1980s, the theater was twinned, becoming the Norwest 1 & 2, with total seating reduced to about 1,100.
The Norwest 1 & 2 was closed in 2000 the animated feature films “Chicken Run” & “Thomas and the Magic Railroad”. It was torn down in August of 2004 to make way for a fast-food restaurant.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
well it had a remodeling in the 60’s I believe, and it has a gold counter-top from what I heard. I think the interior is in great condition, but I have never been inside, and its too bad I nver will be able to
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I need to know how much the Norwest theatre is going for. And I need to know who to contact about purchansing.
Sorry about the late reply cookie,
interested in purchasing this theatre please contact Brian Vosburg at: Brian is trying to save the Norwest,
Robert Sloan is the owner, and his phone number is (248) 357-4884
The Norwest is being demolished. The demolition should start Monday, August 23rd, 2004. The theater is being demolished to make way for a Long John Silvers/A&W fast food restaurant.
The interior was renovated in the 60s. The interior is in pretty bad shape after sitting completely vacant and sealed for several years. There’s asbestos in several places as well. It would have been nice to save this Art Deco/Moderne neighborhood landmark.
R.I.P.
Here are some links to interesting articles on the Norwest Theater:
Detroit Free Press article on the history and impact the demolition has had on the neighborhood
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An urban explorer catches some interior pictures and some excellent history the day before the place came crashing down:
View link
Here is another photo from the Detroit blog mentioned above:
http://www.detroitblog.org/images/norwest.gif
From Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:
Detroit-Further shifts of managers have been completed by United Detroit Theaters, with the transfer of Robert Salter from first assistant at the Michigan, ace house of the circuit, to management of the Norwest, taking the place of Gil Green, who becomes assistant at the United Artists, replacing Frank Perry, who takes Salter’s ex-post at the Michigan.
Here are photos from 1979 and 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/c9zdeb
http://tinyurl.com/d387c2
I saw “Planet of the Ape’s” & “The lengend of Boggy creek” here. The theatre was located across the street from my elementary school. I always miss seeing the Norwest sign as I drive down Grandriver, but great memory’s!!!!!