Wealthy Theatre
1130 Wealthy Street SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49506
1130 Wealthy Street SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49506
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Wealthy Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc.
Architects: Pierre Lindhout
Firms: Paradigm Design
Functions: Live Performances, Movies
Styles: Mediterranean Revival
Previous Names: Pastime Vaudette, Pastime Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
616.459.4788
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Oct 27, 2009 — Owner of fire-gutted Lebowsky Center hopes to have theater enclosed again by winter
- Apr 7, 2004 — Radio Days for the Wealthy Theatre?
Beginning life on April 23, 1911 as the Pastime Vaudette, this neighborhood theatre served as a vaudeville house but soon dropped live acts in favor of movies. During World War I the theatre served as a warehouse for the Michigan Warehouse company, reopening in 1920 with it’s current name of Wealthy Theatre.
The theatre received a significant renovation in 1934, beginning 39 years of business before it was closed in 1973. At that point the lobby was connected to an adjacent restaurant and the theatre fell into disrepair. The City of Grand Rapids slated the Wealthy Theatre for demolition when, in 1987, a group of concerned citizens mobilized to save the theatre.
After ten years of struggle and hard work on the part of volunteers, the theatre received her grand re-opening in September of 1999.
Contributed by
Juan-Miguel Gallegos
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Wealthy Theatre is now owned and operated by the Grand Rapids Community Media Center and hosts independent films, concerts, theatre, and community events. Look up showtimes or request a reservation at wealthytheatre.org.
From Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:
DETROIT-Butterfield Theaters has taken over operation of two more houses in the state. One to be added to the chain is the Silver Theater, Greenville, operated formerly by Bert Silver, oldest exhibitor in Michigan.
Butterfield Circuit and Allen Johnson have taken over joint operation of the other house, the Wealthy in Grand Rapids.
Thanks Joe.
Theatre Historical Society will be visiting this theater during our 2011 Conclave – “The Michigan Roads Less Traveled” June 21-25. See the website for details www.historictheatres.org
This web page has brief biography of architect Pierre Lindhout (the correct spelling.) It says that here were once eleven theaters of Lindhout’s design in Grand Rapids, but claims that the Wealthy is the “…sole surviving example of this work.” However, I found the still-standing Stocking Avenue Theatre attributed to Lindhout in the September 4, 1915, issue of The Moving Picture World, so they must mean that the Wealthy is the only theater of Lindhout’s design that is still in operation.
The renovation of the Wealthy Theatre was designed by Paradigm Design, a Grand Rapids architectural firm. Quinn Evans Architects of Ann Arbor served as preservation consultant and oversaw the restoration of the period features of the building.