Civic Detroit Theater

12327 Kelly Road,
Detroit, MI 48224

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Additional Info

Architects: Kenneth S. Frazier

Functions: Furniture Showroom

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Nearby Theaters

1941 photo courtesy of John Mitten.

Opened in 1941, the Civic Detroit Theater was an Art Moderne style first-run house, which could seat around 1,455, all on a single floor. It was also known at various times as the Detroit Civic Theatre.

In 1980, it was acquired by Eric and Ervin Steiner, who triplexed the auditorium in 1981.

It closed in 1984, and was subsequently used as a furniture warehouse, though it retains some of its original decoration.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm

The bottom photo is the Civic. The theater visible at the top is the Tower, also in Detroit:
http://tinyurl.com/yvhxld

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 15, 2009 at 1:22 am

The Civic was the subject of an article in Boxoffice, July 19, 1941. There are several photos. The architect of the Civic was Kenneth S. Frazier, who also designed the Carmen Theatre in Dearborn the same year.

AnnSupanich
AnnSupanich on January 1, 2013 at 4:26 pm

Hello, this is Ann Supanich. I worked at the Civic Theater from December, 1983 to July, 1984. Good times! Does anyone have information on who owns the building now? Is the furniture shop still operating?

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 26, 2014 at 9:57 pm

1941 photo added courtesy of John Mitten.

CMHurley
CMHurley on March 19, 2016 at 6:56 pm

Drove by this former theater quite by accident on March 12, 2016. It is in deplorable condition. The neighborhood is not much better. I did take some photos. I had always assumed it was in a busier area with business all around the area. I was mistaken. Not sure why but there is a sign on the side of the building that says Shelby 1 and 2. In any case, I’ll try to upload some of the photos I took.

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