Some great pictures of a theater a group is trying to restore. Looks beautiful, but need ALOT of work.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirty4photocbp/sets/72157628449065565/with/6523389705/

Thanks for posting. Amazing I've never seen the inside before.

 

A worthy cause....I'm definitely going to help this place out.

It really is beautiful on the inside, and has a really intriguing history (from theatre to metal to wrestling??). The theatre includes a number of storefronts as well as a number of upstairs apartment units that open into the stage area ... how cool would it be to have an apartment that opens onto the balcony of a performing arts space ... Like permanent box seats :) The area immediately around the theater (around Lorain and W. 118th) is relatively intact, although much of the area along Lorain in both directions and along W. 117th has been gobbled up by big box, gas stations, etc., which I think would make this a more challenging place to truly capitalize on a theater district concept like in Gordon Square ... Which is a real shame, given relative proximity to the Antique District and Kamm's. Still, breathtaking building. Really hope both this and the Moreland over in Buckeye take off.

Beautiful.  Makes me think of the dozes of abandoned and neglected churches here in Detroit.  Sadly many of them make the Variety Theatre look like it's in pristine condition.

Looks to be in fantastic shape!

 

^^There is also an effort to restore the LaSalle in North Collinwood, I believe.

^ Yes, there definitely is. Shouldn't have neglected that one.

I had no idea it was this beautiful!  Isn't the local CDC trying to restore the theater?

I had no idea it was this beautiful!  Isn't the local CDC trying to restore the theater?

 

That was my understanding.  I think or thought it even got a new or restored marquee. 

I never even knew this place existed. It sure is beautiful

That area of Lorain isn't so bad, architecturally.  Heading east from 117th you go down the hill into Lorain Station, which is a cool little stretch.  I think this part of town has loads of potential, because the housing and commercial strip are all pretty much intact (things get more sparse to the west of the Variety, until you reach Kamm's).  It's also one of the most diverse areas of the city.  Unfortunately the crime stats are not on a positive trajectory.

Very cool photo set and glad to see it. Used to go to the old breakfast place right next door with my dad when I used to live in the neighborhood, forget the name of it though. There are some cool buildings along Lorain there with good storefront space, would like to see it come alive a little bit more.

Thanks for sharing.