Wealthy Theatre - Grand Rapids, MI
N 42° 57.318 W 085° 38.447
16T E 610868 N 4756747
Wealthy Theatre was built in 1911 for vaudeville and other live acts. It transitioned to a movie house, eventually closing in the 1970's and was abandoned for more than 25 years. Its name is from Wealthy Street where it is located.
Waymark Code: WM1BJ9C
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 02/16/2025
Views: 1
The marquee over the entrance to the 1911 Wealthy Theatre has a double dose of neon. The large printed all caps WEALTHY THEATRE is in red neon and the circles above that are outlined also in red neon. Information about the amazing theatre below:
"Wealthy Theatre was constructed in 1911 for vaudeville and live theater, and later became a neighborhood movie house.
It served during World War I as a warehouse for the Michigan Aircraft Company, and in the 1960s, offered the only regional venue for foreign films. It closed in the late 1970s and stood empty, decaying for more than 25 years before the South East Economic Development neighborhood association launched a capital campaign to fund its restoration.
The Theatre re-opened in 1998 as a community arts center and heralded a transformation of the entire Wealthy Street business district.
In mid-2004, the Theatre closed again while the Board of Directors searched for a nonprofit organization willing to commit to the continued growth and revitalization of the theatre and its neighborhood.
The Community Media Center was identified and after some study, the GRCMC Board of Directors voted to pursue acquisition of the Wealthy Theatre and the additional building at 1110 Wealthy. A Capital Campaign was launched and the buildings were acquired in March of 2005.
In October, 2007, Community Media Center completed its $2.4 million capital campaign, allowing the organization to bring Wealthy Theatre into the fold, as a historic venue with modern technology.
Today, the Wealthy Theatre Complex is not only a landmark, community treasure with historic significance, but a pioneer in the infusion of technology into traditional theatre. We've evolved the idea of "stage and seats" in a revolutionary way, retaining the old while embracing the new.
The GRCMC Capital Campaign allowed for critical improvements: a concert sound system, electrical upgrades; new projection screen, a grand curtain; a micro-cinema space; renovations, repainting and upgrades throughout."-
About Wealthy Theatre