Yesterday was the 5th annual Walkerville Holiday Walkabout. One on Wyandotte Street’s grandest buildings was even open. The Walkerville Theatre designed by renown theatre Architect C. Howard Crane in 1918, and built in 1920, had it’s doors open to the public for the first time in a while.
The photo above comes from the May 1921 issue of The Michigan Architect and Engineer.
Surprisingly this grand old movie theatre has spent the majority of its life in alternate uses. Since being built for Vaudeville and movies, the building has also been a bingo parlor and a night club. Comparing the original photo to the present day, you can see that the large window on the second floor has been altered, as well the cornice is gone as is the stone coping along the roofline, and a decorative keystone. However, that being said the building is still in great shape, both outside and inside…
Looking to the right of the stage and the second floor boxes, the interior of the auditorium is in amazing condition.
The stage has been expanded, and the last time I was in the building a few years ago was to see a local theatre production of the Odd Couple. To be honest I only attended because I wanted to see the inside, and to check out C. Howard Crane’s fabled acoustics… The sound traveled very well. Crane was well know for producing near acoustically perfect auditoriums. It was a treat to see live theatre inside a classic theatre.
Looking back toward the balcony from the stage area.
The second floor mezzanine behind the balcony.
In the balcony, many of the original architectural design elements remain.
A general view of the balcony.
A fish-eyed panorama of the auditorium from the balcony.
A view of the auditorium from the projection booth. This shot was taken out of one of the projector slots.
Looking back towards the balcony from one of the side boxes.
A view of the backstage area. The dressing rooms were located in the basement.
The door frames have retained their original elements. As you can see by the posters on the door, the building will be open for a new year’s eve party.
Here are the details of the benefit party, if anyone is interested in attending New Year’s at the Walkerville Theatre.
Joan Charette is involved in the Walkerville BIA and is the agent who is listing the theatre for sale. Asking price is only $549,900… Looks like I’m only about $549,000 short… 🙂
For the right buyer though, the theatre could be quite a bargain… Hopefully it returns to public service soon, it would be great to see some events happening down here. With the recent loss of the Capitol, there is certainly a niche to fill in the city with regards to performance space.
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Great shots. It is in far better condition than I expected.
Mike, The roof had a leak but it was repaired very quickly. I have not heard of the roof collapsing.
Damn, I missed it. Did they take care of the pigeon/pigeon dropping problem above the front entrance yet?
Mike, I was at that show too. It was an awesome place to see that kind of show.
How about it being used as a venue (easily accessible) for the Windsor International Film Festival? It was a bummer to have drive out to Lakeshore to attend a movie. The location is fantastic and the interior gives you feeling you are of attending something special. You could even roll out a red carpet. We need some glamour in this city!!
Ya!! Was this theatre even considered?? The Film festival would seem to be an awsome fit!!
Wow. The theatre appears to be in amazing shape. I had no idea. There HAS to be an entrepreneur SOMEWHERE! How about a joint ownership beteween the two school boards for a theatre program? The possibilities are endless! We all need to rack our brains. Thanks for being the catalyst to keep people thinking Andrew.
That flyer is for 2007-2008 New Years' celebration, can you check and see if it's still relevant?
That is an amazing theatre. Last time I was there, the air conditioner had just blown up down in one of the mechanical rooms, so it was hot as heck. It's full of interesting passageways, and the detail in the plaster work is pretty good.
Would be a shame to let a place like this goto waste.
No Josh, that was last year.
This was posted in November 2007.
I have no idea what if anything is going on this year, as it wasn't my event in the first place :)
Saw a bunch of stuff in the window there tonight - apparently this is now some Church Of Destiny or something. At least it's being used for something, to bad it's not for the arts (or WIFF!).