Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings

Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings consists of thirteen Victorian structures ranging from two to five stories that were constructed between 1852 and 1911 along Monroe Avenue in downtown Detroit. The National Theater remains the sole surviving building from this original collection today.

The area became Detroit's first cinema center when John H. Kunsky opened the Casino theater in 1906. By 1914, five additional movie theaters had opened nearby, making Monroe Avenue a major entertainment hub for the city.

The National Theater, designed by Albert Kahn in 1911, shows how movie palaces were built in the early 20th century. It served the entertainment needs of Detroit's expanding population during a time when cinema was becoming a central part of urban life.

The district is located at the northern end of Campus Martius near Woodward Avenue and is easily accessible on foot. The main focus is on the National Theater, which still stands at its original location and can be viewed from the street.

The buildings housed a mix of jewelers, pawn shops, tailors, grocers, confectioners, and saloons on the same street. This variety reflected how commerce changed and adapted as Detroit's population grew and its economy shifted.

Location: Detroit

GPS coordinates: 42.33278,-83.04583

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29