Historic movie palaces / Michigan Avenue / Downtown
Loop Theater
Closed – archive entry · 1928–1961
Michigan Avenue's round-the-clock movie house for second- and third-shift factory workers, opened in 1928. Its calling card was a tall vertical sign topped by a circle with a red star.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1928
- Closed
- 1961
- Architect
- H.D. Ilgenfritz
- Style
- Renaissance Revival
- Seats
- 550
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The 550-seat Loop opened on February 17, 1928, on Michigan Avenue, designed by H.D. Ilgenfritz. It ran around the clock so second- and third-shift factory workers could catch a show. Its best-known feature was a tall vertical sign topped by a circle with a red star. Associated Theaters was running it by 1950. It closed on May 16, 1957, reopened briefly in 1960–61 while the area awaited redevelopment, and was demolished in April 1962.
- Open around the clock for factory shifts
- A tall sign topped with a red star
- 550 seats on Michigan Avenue
Plan your visit
The Loop was demolished in 1962 and no longer stands on Michigan Avenue. For a movie night, check the working Detroit cinemas in our guide.

