Senate Theater
6424 Michigan Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48210
6424 Michigan Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48210
5 people
favorited this theater
The Senate Theater opened in 1926 and its original architect was Christian W. Brandt, who designed a number of smaller Detroit houses like the Times Square Theater and LaSalle Garden Theater, most of which have not survived.
Remodeled sometime in the 1930’s in an Art Deco style, including a new facade and tall vertical marquee. The Senate Theater was remodeled again in 1949, this time in an Art Moderne style by architect Ted Rogvoy. It continued to operate until 1958 when it was closed.
The former theater was acquired by the Detroit Theater Organ Society in 1963 who renovated it and reduced seating from 1,200 to about 900. The Club moved the former Fisher Theater organ from the Iris Theater, where it was briefly kept in 1961-2, to the Senate Theater.
Since then, the Senate Theater has been home to the DTOS, and features organ concerts. It no longer has its projection equipment, so unlike the Redford Theater, which features organ concerts and classic motion pictures, the Senate Theater became a concert hall only.
It was closed in December 2009. In February 2011, volunteers began working on getting the theatre ready for a May 15, 2011 reopening. The Wurlitzer organ will again be a feature of its programs.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
Christian W. Brandt has recently completed a million dollar factory building for the Charles B Bohn Foundry Company and he is the designer and builder of the Majestic theatre the Wyandotte theatre the Del The theatre the LaSalle Gardens and many of the fine residences of Detroit The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922 By William Stocking, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Here is another 2008 photo.
The DTOS has listed the Senate theatre for sale with a commercial realtor. The group is looking for a new home for the Fisher Wurlitzer in the Detroit area.
1977 Photo
1985 Photo
The ca.1949 Art Moderne remodeling of the Senate Theatre was designed by Detroit architect Ted Rogvoy. At the time of the remodeling the house was operated by the Broder circuit.
The Senate was one of three Rogvoy-designed theater remodeling projects featured in an article published in the April 1, 1950, issue of Boxoffice. The article featured before and after photos of the Senate’s facade.
The original classical facade had been disfigured by the addition of a bulky art deco marquee in the 1930s, and Rogvoy replaced it with the porcelain enamel front and tall sign the building still sports.
The other theaters remodeled by Rogvoy that were featured in the Boxoffice article were the Roxy and the Ace.
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New photos of the theatre, taken 11/14/09
The Senate Theatre is now closed. The Detroit Theatre Organ Society could no longer afford to operate the theatre and has ended organ concerts at the Senate. The building is now for sale. The DTOS is looking for a new home for the Mighty Wurlitzer that was moved to the Senate from the Fisher Theatre 45 years ago. A sad story indeed.
The Senate Theatre is reopening for shows again in May 2011.
http://www.dtos.org/
Detroit Senate Theater Reopening & Pops Concert featuring Jelani Eddington
The Detroit Senate Theater, current home to the unique 4/34 Wurlitzer Organ from Detroit’s Fisher Theater, reopens Sunday May 15, 2011 at 3 PM with a show featuring Jelani Eddington playing a wide variety of popular music.
6424 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48210
Tickets: $12.00 / $8.00 ages 12 and under
Many exciting things happening at the Senate. Volunteers have been hard at work painting, cleaning, refreshing, and much more. The Wurlitzer is sounding better than ever after recently being professionally releathered (including the electro-pneumatic relay !)
Many recent pictures and updates at http://www.facebook.com/DTOSonFB
Help is always needed around the theater, especially before reopening day May 15. To become a volunteer worker, donate financially via paypal, or donate supplies visit the Detroit Theater Organ Society website. (Email: , Office phone number: 313-894-0850)
More events are scheduled for 2011
Thats great that is going to reopen.