Detroit By Night
The Michigan Opera
Fox Theater
The magnificent Fox Theater opened on Woodward Avenue in 1928 as the flagship of the national Fox
Theater chain. The six-story lobby was designed to look like an ancient temple in India. Beneath the
two ton stained glass chandelier, the walls feature peacocks, serpents, Buddhas, Chinese tomb guardians,
Greek masks, Eqyptian lions, and other motifs from Hindu, Persian, Indian, Chinese, and Taiwanese art.
The lobby gained the nickname of “The Drama Temple” for the discussions among the play and film
critics during the intermissions of show debuts. The Peacock Alley, a hallway above the main lobby
displays a sumptuous collection of paintings, furniture, and artifacts assembled by investor Eve Leo from
around the world.
A major project and source of pride for Edmund Ryecroft in the early 20th century, the Fox began to fall
into neglect in the 1950s as financial backing for the theater began to dry up. After a long period of
disuse by the kindred, the theater was fully remodeled in 1988 and once again became host for genteel
salons. In odd contrast to the grand theater, the 10-story office building attached to the side of the
building is the world headquarters of the Little Caesars’ pizza franchise. Both are owned by the same
group of investors and serve both the artistic and financial interests of Detroit’s Toreador.
The Fox theater is a good place to hold court, with several conference rooms, theaters, and small offices,
again, on the second floor. The last time we were there, Star Wars episode I was just opening.
Status: Elysium
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