Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy Street SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49506
1130 Wealthy Street SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49506
2 people
favorited this theater
Beginning life on April 23, 1911 as the Pastime Vaudette, this neighborhood theatre served as a vaudeville house but soon dropped live acts in favor of movies. During World War I the theater served as a warehouse for the Michigan Warehouse company, reopening in 1920 with it’s current name of Wealthy Theatre.
The theater received a significant renovation in 1934, begining 39 years of business before it was closed in 1973. At that point the lobby was connected to an adjacent restaurant and the theatre fell into disrepair. The City of Grand Rapids slated the Wealthy for demolition when, in 1987, a group of concerned citizens mobilized to save the theatre.
After ten years of struggle and hard work on the part of volunteers, the theatre received her grand re-opening in September of 1999.
Contributed by
Juan-Miguel Gallegos
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Wealthy Theater in 1924.
A vintage photo of the Wealthy Theater can be seen on this website.
This is a 2008 photo of the Wealthy Theater.
From Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:
DETROIT-Butterfield Theaters has taken over operation of two more houses in the state. One to be added to the chain is the Silver Theater, Greenville, operated formerly by Bert Silver, oldest exhibitor in Michigan.
Butterfield Circuit and Allen Johnson have taken over joint operation of the other house, the Wealthy in Grand Rapids.
Here is another photo of the Wealthy Theater.
This is a 2009 close-up photo.
Another 2009 photo is here.
The renovation of the Wealthy Theatre was designed by Paradigm Design, a Grand Rapids architectural firm. Quinn Evans Architects of Ann Arbor served as preservation consultant and oversaw the restoration of the period features of the building.
Four small photos and a brief description of the project can be viewed at the Paradigm Design web site.
Thanks Joe.
Theatre Historical Society will be visiting this theater during our 2011 Conclave – “The Michigan Roads Less Traveled” June 21-25. See the website for details www.historictheatres.org