Historic movie palaces / Lansing
Michigan Theatre (Lansing)
Closed – archive entry · 1921–1980
John Eberson's Neo-Classical theater in Lansing opened with vaudeville in 1921 as the Strand, became the Michigan in 1941 and closed in 1980; its front section was restored in 1984 as the Atrium Center.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1921
- Closed
- 1980
- Architect
- John Eberson
- Style
- Neo-Classical
- Seats
- 1753
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
John Eberson designed the Strand Theatre, which the Butterfield chain opened on April 21, 1921, with six acts of Keith vaudeville. It seated 1,753. It later switched to films and was renamed the Michigan Theatre on August 15, 1941. It closed as a movie house on September 1, 1980, with Herbie Goes Bananas and sat vacant until the auditorium and stage house were demolished in November 1983. In 1984 the front section, with its grand lobby, ballroom, marble staircase and terra-cotta facade, was restored and turned into the Atrium Center office and retail complex by Hobbs and Black & Associates.
- Designed by John Eberson, 1921
- Opened with vaudeville as the Strand
- Terra-cotta facade, marble staircase, ballroom
Plan your visit
The theater closed in 1980 and its auditorium was demolished in 1983. The front section with its terra-cotta facade was restored in 1984 as part of the Atrium Center on South Washington; for a movie, pick one of the open cinemas in our guide.