An Artful Balance

Garden Theater Block

Garden Theater Block

Detroit, Michigan

Balancing historic features with significant contemporary elements, Quinn Evans transformed the Garden Theater block into a cohesive urban block. Tying together original, turn-of-the-century commercial buildings and theater with a modern office building and parking deck, our design reflects the changing character of Woodward Avenue.

At the forefront of the block’s historic preservation efforts stands the 1910 theater by the prolific theater designer C. Howard Crane. Hinting at the transformation within, the Victorian brick of the original exterior provides a contrasting background for the later Beaux Arts white terracotta theater entry. A new metal arched canopy echoes the original decorative canopy, welcoming patrons and adding to the vibrancy of the restored multi-venue entertainment district.

An Artful Balance
Had it gone through another hard winter, it would have been lost…At one time I was very worried that the outer façade was going to spill over into Woodward Avenue. Thanks to a lot of ingenuity from the architectural team and the structural engineers, we were able to preserve it.

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