42°19′ N   83°02′ WINDEPENDENT CITY GUIDE · HU / ENDETROIT + MICHIGAN
QUARTER
DETROIT
← Back to cinemas

Historic movie palaces / Gratiot Avenue / East Side

Ramona Theatre

Closed – archive entry · 1929

A 2,020-seat Gratiot Avenue movie house from 1929 that closely resembled John Eberson's Grand Riviera, domed hexagonal lobby and all. It ended its days as a rock concert venue and came down in early 1978.

Quick facts

Opened
1929
Architect
Kohner & Payne
Style
Atmospheric, Italian Renaissance
Seats
2020

02 / The story of this place

Make time for these

The Ramona opened on Gratiot Avenue in 1929, a 2,020-seat house by Kohner & Payne. It closely resembled John Eberson's Grand Riviera, with a domed hexagonal lobby and a palazzo-style exterior. It later belonged to United Detroit Theaters. Competition from the nearby Warren Cinema drained its audience in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it closed soon after. It spent several years as a rock concert venue before it was demolished in early 1978.

  • A Grand Riviera look-alike on Gratiot
  • A domed hexagonal lobby
  • A rock concert venue in its final years

Plan your visit

The Ramona was demolished in early 1978 and no longer stands on Gratiot Avenue. For a movie night, see the working cinemas in our guide.

Save the plan. Share the moment.