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Historic movie palaces / Michigan Avenue / Downtown

Loop Theater

Closed – archive entry · 1928–1961

Michigan Avenue's round-the-clock movie house for second- and third-shift factory workers, opened in 1928. Its calling card was a tall vertical sign topped by a circle with a red star.

Quick facts

Opened
1928
Closed
1961
Architect
H.D. Ilgenfritz
Style
Renaissance Revival
Seats
550

02 / The story of this place

Make time for these

The 550-seat Loop opened on February 17, 1928, on Michigan Avenue, designed by H.D. Ilgenfritz. It ran around the clock so second- and third-shift factory workers could catch a show. Its best-known feature was a tall vertical sign topped by a circle with a red star. Associated Theaters was running it by 1950. It closed on May 16, 1957, reopened briefly in 1960–61 while the area awaited redevelopment, and was demolished in April 1962.

  • Open around the clock for factory shifts
  • A tall sign topped with a red star
  • 550 seats on Michigan Avenue

Plan your visit

The Loop was demolished in 1962 and no longer stands on Michigan Avenue. For a movie night, check the working Detroit cinemas in our guide.

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