Scrappers cause collapse of ornamental ceiling in storied Eastown Theatre in Detroit

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By Steve Neavling

The ornamental ceiling in the long-abandoned Eastown Theatre in Detroit has collapsed, opening up a gaping hole in the former movie palace.

A photographer spotted scrappers with torches cutting down beams Saturday, causing the collapse. The scrappers returned Monday afternoon.
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The 2,500-seat theater at Harper and Van Dyke opened in October 1931 as a movie palace in a stable east-side neighborhood. In 1969, the Eastown became a rock venue and attracted the Kinks, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Steppenwolf, King Crimson, MC5 and the Stooges, according to our friends at HistoricDetroit.org.

The aging building hosted raves until the late 1990s.

The theater, which has been heavily scavenged, is surrounded by blight. Vacant homes and storefronts dominate the area.

It’s only a matter of time before the theater is demolished.

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Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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