The Rees Theater
100 North Michigan Street
The Beehive Building and its round, corner turret can be seen on the left side of the photograph.
ABOUT THE BUILDING
Undoubtedly the most recognizable building downtown, the Rees Theater’s one hundred-fifty year history illustrates the evolution of Downtown Plymouth. Built in 1865 by Amzi Wheeler, the four-story, Italianate building served as a furniture store and undertaker for many years. In 1939, the building was renovated by Stewart Rees. Architect Alves O’Keefe transformed the structure into an Art Deco style theater, which included a state-of-the-art apartment on the upper floor for Rees and his wife. The theater’s grand opening featured the movie “Remember the Night”, and patrons lined up around the block to enjoy the new theater’s amenities. Rees Theater continued operating until 2007. Today, the Rees Theater and its 400 seats sits empty. The theater is for sale and has been on the market for many years. |
ABOVE: A soldier's flag-draped coffin is being loaded onto a horse-drawn carriage in front of the original Rees Theater building.
BELOW: The original Rees Theater building , then a furniture store and undertaker, can be seen on the right side of the photograph. |