Bonstelle Theatre - Pre-restoration Photos

Bonstelle Theatre

In 2018, when Wayne State decommissioned the Bonstelle Theatre, the Roxbury Group saw a chance for redevelopment and restoration.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Roxbury Group secured control of the site that same year, collaborating with professional theater and music operators to develop plans for producing world-class events at the latest iteration of the Bonstelle

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

With approximately 1,300 seats, the new Bonstelle will double as an event space.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The theater’s historic balconies are also supposed to be maintained, with the existing seats redone.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Unfortunately, the decorative stencil designs on the entire ceiling was over-painted by WSU with a beige and ivory white paint finish. But The Roxbury Group is confident to be able to restore.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The entire ceiling was over-painted at some point but The Roxbury Group was able to uncover the original interior design.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby in Jun '23

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Woodwork inside the lower level of the auditorium

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The theater's dome

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The theater's dome

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Catwalk

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

After the Temple Beth congregation left the synagogue for a new home in the 1920’s, the building was purchased by actress and theater company manager Jessie Bonstelle. She hired theater architect C. Howard Crane to remodel the former synagogue as the Bonstelle Playhouse, in 1925. The facade was simplified by the "visual" removal of the columns and its round stained-glass windows covered by a new terra cotta facade. The columns will be visible again post renovation.

Some random interior shots from Jun '23

Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Funny how every exit was numbered back in the day

Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Meeting room on 2nd floor

Some random interior shots from Jun '23.

Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Stage area

Another viewpoint at the front lobby area

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Bonstelle Theatre - Pre-restoration Photos

Bonstelle Theatre