Hills Theatre Building

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Hills Theatre building was constructed in 1941 and opened to the public in January 1942. The building was originally of Art Deco design, and featured a vitrolite glass front and triangular electric marquee. It was the design work of Michigan architects Bennett & Straight, who were well-known for their movie palace work. The Hills Theatre was downtown Rochester's only movie venue after the older Avon Theatre, located across the street, closed in the early 1950s. The Hills bowed to pressure from multi-screen chain theatres and closed in 1984. The building was repurposed as retail space, but the "coming events" showcases may still be seen on the front elevation.

Images

Hills Theatre Building, ca. 1962

Vehicle, Building, Car, Commercial building

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Charles L. Sterns began construction of this theatre building in May 1941 and opened it in January 1942 with a screening of Look Who's Laughing, featuring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

A story in the Rochester Era issue of April 25, 1941, announcing the new theater project, read as follows:

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Keeping in step with the rapid development of Rochester and vicinity, Charles Sterns, owner of Rochester's Avon theater on Thursday broke ground for a new theater of modern type, which will have a seating capacity of 900. The theater is to be located on a lot on Main street between Fourth and Fifth streets, formerly occupied as a sales lot by the Larry Jerome Ford agency. The building is to have a 62 1/2 feet frontage and 150 feet depth and to be built of enamel tile and brick on each side of the main entrance; two stores are included. Several business offices comprise the second floor front. The plans call for a spacious lobby, rest rooms, powder rooms and offices. Mr. Sterns states he expects the theater to be finished by September 1. The contractor is Carl VandenBergh of Rochester.

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The architects of the Hills Theatre building were partners Lavern R. Bennett and Eugene D. Straight of Dearborn. Bennett & Straight specialized in theatre design and were also the architects of the Main Theatre in Royal Oak, the Bloomfield Theatre in Birmingham, the Allen Park cinemas, and the La Parisien Theatre in Garden City, among others. Carl VandenBerghe was the general contractor for the project.

An announcement of the grand opening in the Rochester Clarion of January 8, 1942, read in part as follows:

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Hills theatre, deriving its name from Rochester's slogan "The Heart of the Hills," represents the latest in modern theatre design and decorating. The walls and ceiling are of neuwood which assures the best of acoustics in all parts of the theatre. The wood trim throughout the theatre is of light birch wood. Fluorescent light tubes of various colors line the walls on either side of the theatre. Indirect lighting will light up the foyer and lobby which have been decorated in rich tones of blue and pink.

...

The seating capacity of the new theatre is 820, spaced to afford comfort and ease in passing into the seats. The seats are of maroon plush upholstery. The overdrapes around the proscenium of the theatre stage are of maroon velvet.

...

The theatre front and box office is constructed of vitrolite, a color-glass material, with new sign, lighting and marque arrangement of most original and effective design.

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Bowing to pressure from nearby multi-screen theatre complexes in the area and the advent of cable television, the theatre closed its doors for good on January 15, 1984. In November of that year, the Rochester City Council granted a tax abatement to a development company with plans to redevelop the building as retail space. It was thereafter known as the Main Street Plaza.

Sources

"Eugene Straight, veteran architect," Detroit Free Press, July 26, 1969, p.9.

"Lavern R. Bennett [obituary]," Detroit Free Press, July 27, 1954, p.12.

"Rochester to get modern theater," Rochester Era, April 25, 1941, p.1.

Anna E. Brett, survivor of George Brett, deceased, to Charles L. Jerome and Frances Jerome his wife, September 12, 1940, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, Oakland County Record of Deeds, liber 1254, page 390.

Charles L. Jerome and Frances Jerome his wife to Charles L. Sterns and Rena Sterns his wife, September 18, 1940, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, Oakland County Record of Deeds, liber 1254, page 388.

Charles L. Sterns and Ethel Sterns his wife to John D. Taylor and Sharon Taylor his wife, July 3, 1964, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, liber 4596, page 302.

John D. Taylor and Sharon Taylor his wife to Rochester Hills Realty, Inc., April 30, 1969, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, Oakland County Record of Deeds, liber 5360, page 345.

Rochester Hills Realty, Inc. to William M. Wetsman, president of Rochester Hills Realty, May 1, 1969, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, Oakland County Record of Deeds, liber 5355, page 572.

William M. Westman and Janis Wetsman his wife to Alvin V. Gursin, July 7, 1970, lot 5, original plat of Rochester, Oakland County Record of Deeds, liber 5526, page 654.

Reves, H.F. "Lights, updating, bring back again theatre's profits," Modern Theatre section, BoxOffice Magazine, May 17, 1965, p.14.

"Rochester awards tax break," Rochester Observer & Eccentric, November 22, 1984, p.11A.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

The late Walter and Marjorie Dernier