Detroit Opera House
Development Plan, 1992

The Michigan Opera Company purchased the Grand Circus Theater in 1988, originally designed by Howard Crane in 1921. Crane's ingenuity captured the acoustic dynamics of the great European houses with the American requirement for a very large audience. The office of Yamasaki was hired in 1989 by the Michigan Opera Theater.

In 1992, MOT board member and renowned Opera Theater expert, John Leberg was engaged to provide the design to meet the current needs of the Company. Working closely with John Leberg our conceptual design and feasibility work redefined the parameters to convert the 1921 building to modern working Opera House. Also see competetions