Historic movie palaces / Gratiot Avenue / East Side
Ramona Theatre
Closed – archive entry · 1929
A 2,020-seat Gratiot Avenue movie house from 1929 that closely resembled John Eberson's Grand Riviera, domed hexagonal lobby and all. It ended its days as a rock concert venue and came down in early 1978.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1929
- Architect
- Kohner & Payne
- Style
- Atmospheric, Italian Renaissance
- Seats
- 2020
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Ramona opened on Gratiot Avenue in 1929, a 2,020-seat house by Kohner & Payne. It closely resembled John Eberson's Grand Riviera, with a domed hexagonal lobby and a palazzo-style exterior. It later belonged to United Detroit Theaters. Competition from the nearby Warren Cinema drained its audience in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it closed soon after. It spent several years as a rock concert venue before it was demolished in early 1978.
- A Grand Riviera look-alike on Gratiot
- A domed hexagonal lobby
- A rock concert venue in its final years
Plan your visit
The Ramona was demolished in early 1978 and no longer stands on Gratiot Avenue. For a movie night, see the working cinemas in our guide.

