The Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Michigan Theater, at 603 East Liberty Street, adds architectural drama to a block-long stretch of mostly commonplace one- and two-story retail storefronts in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. The Theater’s facade is a colorful and exuberant example of “Lombard Romanesque” style architecture, which is characterized primarily by the presence of rhythmic ornamental arches known as 
“Lombard band” AND a lack of super-elaborate sculptural embellishment. It was designed by Russian-born Yiddish architect and theater performer, Maurice Finkel, built in 1927, and opened to the public in January of 1928. The Theater’s website is definitely worth visiting, but I Love Detroit Michigan further recommends its readers thoroughly browse the Ford Gallery of Ann Arbor Founders for a more 
contextualized view of this beautiful theater’s place in Ann Arbor history. Finkel described it as “a Shrine to Art. . . not built for today only, but constructed in the hopes that it might be a monument for years to come, and a credit to the community even when the city is many times its present size.” To that we say, “Mission Accomplished”. ~I♥DM
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About the author
Dale Carlson grew up along the northeastern shores of Lake Michigan, where at a young age Detroit called out to him in his dreams. In 2008, after extended stays in ten different Michigan cities, the author settled permanently in southeast Oakland County where he currently lives and works in various capacities within the local real estate industry.
