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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Michigan » Lansing » Michigan Theatre
Also known as Strand Theatre

Michigan Theatre

Lansing, MI
217 S. Washington Street
, Lansing, MI 48933 United States
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Neo-Classical
Function: Office Space
Seats: 1753
Chain: Unknown
Architect: John Eberson, Drew Eberson
Firm: Unknown
Michigan Theatre
1920s night time view of the former Michigan Theatre (when it was still called the Strand)
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Designed by John Eberson in 1920, the Strand Theatre, with its highly ornate terra cotta facade, was originally a vaudeville house, but later started to screen movies as well, eventually switching to just movies.

Like many of Eberson's theaters, its auditorium was decorated with Neo-Classical touches.

The theater was renamed the Michigan Theatre during the 1940's. Operated by the Butterfirld Theatres chain, it closed as a movie house in the 1970's. The theater then sat vacant and decrepit until 1984, when the front section was brilliantly transformed into a mixed-use office and retail complex, the Atrium Center, by the firm of Hobbs and Black & Associates.

Although the auditorium could not be saved (only the floor of the balcony seating area remains), its grand lobby, ballroom and storefront areas were transformed to their 1920's grandeur. The focal point of the office foyer space is now the large marble staircase.

The facade was also repaired after damage inflicted on it during a "modernization" years before. Limestone of the same shade as the original terra cotta was used to replace sections of the original terra cotta that were lost.
Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

 
This theater was renamed the Michigan in 1940s.
posted by gflinn on Sep 10, 2002 at 9:04am
When it operated as a theater, it was owned by W.S. Butterfield Theatres. It had a plaque in its lobby in which Col. Butterfield thanked the people of Lansing for their support.
posted by gflinn on Sep 19, 2002 at 8:13am
The theatre organ from this location has been installed in the Grand Ledge Opera House. Occasional concerts are held there.
posted by John McDowell on Nov 25, 2003 at 1:53pm
Since you didn't bother to read the description Michael, this theater was converted to offices. There's nothing to turn into an opera house.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Apr 6, 2004 at 4:32pm
This vacant office building is owned by Paul Gentilozzi Real Estate. The Lansing State Journal listed the property value at $2.8 Million:
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/news/business/030608web_downtown_address.html

If you have aspirations to turn this back into a theatre you better come correct with some jack in your pocket. It would take close to an overall $10 Million to make it cool again.
posted by Jive Turkey on Aug 2, 2004 at 8:11am
Pics:
http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/location.asp?ID=1289&type=5

Looked like a grand theater
posted by SNWEB.ORG on Sep 18, 2004 at 2:29pm
Bryan, I show the address for the Michigan Theatre as 217 So. Washington, Lansing, when I checked the two sites on the above posts it lists the theatre on So. Washington also.
posted by Chuck1231 on Oct 8, 2004 at 10:50pm
Since this Eberson theatre is listed as closed does that mean there is still hope for this movie palace in Lansing MI? It's hard for me to understand why a community that has an Eberson theatre would let it be listed as closed and not restored!
posted by Patsy on Mar 6, 2005 at 10:50am
Patsy go to the link I posted above and scroll to the bottom.
This grand theater became a nothing victim of the automobile... it's park of a parking lot
posted by SNWEB.ORG on Mar 6, 2005 at 11:14am
Neo: Thanks! I looked through the photos and read some of the information, but am a bit confused. The balcony photo looks like it's out in the elements with no roof? And when you say 'it's part of a parking lot" what do you mean as I viewed photos of altered office space and an exterior facade that looked like though not a theatre anymore which is such a shame as it was an atmospheric-Eberson theatre! Such a treasure and Lansing didn't choose to preserve it for future generations. :-(
posted by Patsy on Mar 6, 2005 at 11:24am
"Although the auditorium could not be saved, its grand lobby, ballroom and storefront areas were transformed to their 20s grandeur. The focal point of the office foyer space is now the large marble staircase." Is this part of present day office and retail complex, the Atrium Center?
posted by Patsy on Mar 6, 2005 at 11:27am
yes I believe so
posted by SNWEB.ORG on Mar 6, 2005 at 3:35pm
I decided to revisit this link and now recall the sad photo of the balcony with parking lot below! So very sad for the citizens of Lansing! I used to have a college roommate from Lansing so perhaps I should contact her to 'pick her brain'!
posted by Patsy on Sep 22, 2005 at 5:31am
Here is a short bio:
http://tinyurl.com/gjwdu
posted by ken mc on Jun 2, 2006 at 7:46pm
This theatre WAS a beautiful theatre and Lansing lost a gem when they chose to discontine this EBERSON creation!
posted by Patsy on Jun 7, 2006 at 4:18pm
I'm looking for the date of a Louie Armstrong and The All Stars concert at the Michigan. Believe this would have been in 1950 or 51. Any resources for this type of info? There is an outside chance it might have been at the Gladmer but I doubt it. I was 8 or 9 at the time.
posted by pryso on Sep 4, 2006 at 8:59pm
Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1980

Strand Theatre and Arcade (added 1980 - Building - #80001871)
Also known as Michigan Theater and Arcade
211-219 S. Washington Ave., Lansing
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Eberson,John & Drew, Eberson,John
Architectural Style: Art Deco, Other
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Business, Theater

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 4, 2007 at 4:08pm
Additional photos can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 20, 2007 at 10:19am
These photos of the original balcony now a roof that still shows the decor design are truly amazing to view, yet very sad!
posted by Patsy on Jul 20, 2007 at 11:13am
A Barton theater organ size 3/11 was installed in the Strand Theater in 1925.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 29, 2007 at 10:11am
This is a 2008 photo of the Michigan Theater building.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 6, 2008 at 10:47am
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