The World's Most Lavish Deserted Structures

7. Detroit's Michigan Theatre

Michigan Theatre, Detroit, Michigan Location: Detroit, Michigan

Year Built: 1925

Cost: $42.4 million (adjusted for inflation)

The Michigan Theatre, completed in 1925, is a remarkable example of ornate Baroque French Renaissance architecture. It reflects Detroit's history as a sophisticated metropolis that many desired to visit or call home. The construction of the theatre represented a significant investment of $42.4 million, highlighting the city's cultural ambitions during that era.

 

Michigan Theatre, Detroit, Michigan

Designed by renowned architects Cornelius W. and George L. Rapp, the Michigan Theatre enjoyed forty years of glory before changing ownership. The new owners showed little interest in maintaining the venue, leading to its closure in 1957 after a double feature of A Thousand Clowns and The Spy With a Cold Nose. The once-vibrant theatre became deserted, marking the end of an era for this architectural gem.