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
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The entire ceiling was overpainted 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
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
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.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Funny how every exit was numbered back in the day
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Meeting room on 2nd floor
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some random interior shots from Jun '23. Stage area
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Another viewpoint at the front lobby area
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Bonstelle construction as of July 7th, 2023
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
