Fox Theatre Set For Major Guest Experience Upgrades
Exciting upgrades are coming to Detroit’s iconic Fox Theatre. The historic venue is getting a major makeover with over 5,000 new guest seats and a new wayfinding system, inspired by the Portal entry system at Little Caesars Arena, to help you find your seat with ease. While renovations are underway, the theatre will be closed for ticketed events including concerts and shows until late September.
Guest Experience Enhancements Coming to Fox Theatre
Improvements will include upgraded seats on every level, complete with cup holders, new padding for extra comfort, and fresh fabric that “echoes the theatre’s historic charm,” featuring the original “Fox Theatre” logo. Plus, each row will now have its own row letter illuminator for quick seat-finding.
About 2,000 of the original seats will be preserved for history, with some donated to local non-profits and auctioned for charity.
To ensure the best experience, the renovation team looked at historic theatres nationwide for top-notch guest experience ideas.
“The Fox Theatre has seen some of the world’s greatest acts and given Detroiters unforgettable memories,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies. “We’re thrilled to enhance the Fox while keeping the elegance that makes it Detroit’s crown jewel.”
The Ilitches began restoring the Fox shortly after acquiring it in 1987, completing a full renovation and preserving 80% of its original finish. The theatre’s grand re-opening on Nov. 19, 1988, featured a show called “Curtains Up.”
The downtown theater is scheduled to reopen in time for Sturgill Simpson’s concert on Sept. 28. Other upcoming shows on Fox’s schedule include the Temptations musical “Ain’t Too Proud” on Oct. 3 and 4, the Smooth Jazz Fall Fest on Oct. 5 and French electronic music act Air on Oct. 10.
In addition to the Fox renovations, the adjacent office building was upgraded, and in 1989, Little Caesars Headquarters moved in. That year, the Fox Theatre was named a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its rich history, architecture, and cultural impact according to a news release.
Additional updates will be announced at a later date.
Earlier this year, a video showing a bouncing balcony during a rap concert at the Fox Theatre sparked concerns about the venue’s safety. The footage, captured during Rapper Gunna’s performance on May 6, went viral after Gunna shared it on Instagram, leading many to question the Fox Theatre’s stability.
However, Ilitch Entertainment, which manages the Detroit venue, reassured everyone that the swaying was perfectly normal. The movement was simply a result of the balcony’s engineering design and not a safety issue.
