The RenCen 4 / Riverfront 4 was a 4-screen theatre in Detroit which was originally opened in 1978 by Nicholas George Theatres and was situated in the Renaissance Center "Shopping area".
The Theatre was located in Tower 200, level 2, of the GM Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit and had many patrons over the years.
In September 2008, the management renovated and reopened the theatre as the "Riverfront 4 Theatres" with nearly 350 invited guests from the community attending the Saturday celebration.
The featured film presentation was the animation movie “Igor”.
In the 2008 reopening, the theatre billed itself as family friendly and also state of the art, and would be available to rent for meetings and events.
The management company also owned/operated two theatres in Oakland County's Birmingham that were "state of the art" at the time.
Times were good and the theatre was popular for anyone who wanted to see a show either on their off-hours or during an extended Lunch break from work.
Unfortunately, times changed and the evolution of things did not permit the RenCen/Riverfront to evolve with them.
Summer 2007 view
The theater complex would eventually close after its last showing on June 30, 2015, having survived for nearly 40 years in this location. The size and age of the facility led to the thought that it was just too much to update for current/future Moviegoer expectations.
The theater industry had changed, and the expense to evolve the theatre outweighed the need for it here.
On its last day, patrons and former employees alike stopped by for one final show.
Some folks are upset that it was not going to remain, as they work and live in the area. It was very convenient for folks who live or work in Downtown Detroit as this theater had been a mainstay of the RenCen since almost since the beginning.
The closing meant only one theatre within the City of Detroit would be available to show first-run Movies, and that was the current "Bel Air 10 Theatre" on 8 Mile which is not really close for anyone who is in the Downtown area.
Since the theater first opened in the Renaissance Center in the late '70s, technology and movie-goer expectations have grown and evolved. Moviegoer desires for larger screens, larger seats and digital projection made the complex seem dated, and the location — about 18,000 square feet in the RenCen's 200 Tower — was too limited for an expansion, it was thought.
1978 View of the Entry of the RenCen Theatre
One challenge that had met anyone who wanted to visit, the difficulty in locating the theatre inside the building. Many people just could not find it, as RenCen can seem like a "Maze" at times and be very confusing where things are located.
Some folks had visited consistently since the 1980's when they would come downtown to see a first-run movie with their friends. They would then find other activities after the show and make a day of it.
Times changed including the addition of newer, larger theaters openening as well as the purchase of Home Theatre Systems which would allow folks to view their favorite movies in the comfort of their own homes.
The last movies to be shown there were in : " Inside Out," "Jurassic World," "San Andreas" and "Entourage."
The RenCen Theatre will long live-on in the memories of those that remember it, or saw a Saturday Afternoon Matinee there.
This theater, like so many, was an anchor of the community it was part of. It provided entertainment, information and fond memories for a generation of Detroiters who lived or worked in the area that usually was a mix of culture and diversity.
Newspaper Ad from 1978
The venue that once was here is a wonderful part of Metro Detroit's entertainment and social history. The popularity of such places will likely never be seen or experienced again. Whether it was a theatre, dance hall, or concert venue, these things all make it a treasure that is part of the Detroit Cinema (and Entertainment) History.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IF you have any more information or
details on this theatre, please email me
and i will include it in the description.
Thank you.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •