Rio Theater

7714 W. Vernor Highway,
Detroit, MI 48209

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Additional Info

Architects: Cyril Edward Schley

Functions: Furniture Showroom

Styles: Art Deco, Spanish Colonial

Nearby Theaters

Rio Theater

The Rio opened in 1935, built in an unusual mix of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial styles. It sat around 1400, and was designed by Cyril Edward Schley, a protegee of C. Howard Crane, whose best known Detroit work is the former Telenews (most recently housing a nightclub).

The Rio served as a first-run movie house until it closed in the 1960s. It currently houses a furniture store.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 14, 2007 at 12:59 am

The Rio was listed in the 1963 motion picture almanac as a Detroit Theater Enterprises house, along with the Hollywood and Roxy in Detroit, the Lucon in East Lansing and the Van Dyke Drive-in in Warren, MI.

spectrum
spectrum on November 25, 2010 at 4:10 am

According to a comment in Lost Memory’s Link, some of the interior decor still remains although the floor has been (understandably) leveled.

spectrum
spectrum on November 25, 2010 at 4:13 am

Also, the furniture store has closed; now it is occupied by Grand Ahorro-Mega Savings

jxcac6
jxcac6 on November 24, 2012 at 3:16 pm

My parents first met there! My mom was ticket girl. I would like to get what ever pictures are out there of front of building including ticket booth. I cant find but 1 Please email any old pictures to Thank You

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