Midtown Detroit’s steady revitalization means bright new venue options
for the events industry.
Among them is the Garden Theater, which opened just north of the Max M. Fisher Music Center on Woodward Avenue in fall 2013. The 32,000-square-foot theater, part of a refurbished complex that includes the Grille Midtown restaurant, hosts touring public events as well as private affairs.
The complex’s owners are devoted to the city’s revitalization and historic preservation, and their commitment shows in the theater. The 1920 space was designed as a movie palace by C. Howard Crane, the architect behind the Fillmore Detroit, the Fox Theatre and others. The theater’s renovation has included restoration of the ornate original ceiling; exposed-brick walls give the theater a hip, urban vibe.
The Garden offers excellent acoustics, builtin LED lighting, an open seating area that can accommodate up to 1,200 (or 300 theater style) and balcony seating for 80. The balcony offers its own bar and can be used for small events or VIP receptions. The property has an on-site parking structure.
Catering is provided by the Grille, which has a diverse menu that emphasizes creative comfort food. An enclosed alleyway with high, sunny ceilings and more exposed brick connects the two spaces.
The complex also offers three upstairs meeting rooms overlooking Woodward Avenue and bathed in natural light, ideal for executive meetings or wedding and baby showers.
