Welsh Auditorium

Welsh Auditorium also known as "Civic Auditorium," was a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena and convention center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The front façade and lobby remain today.

Welsh Auditorium
Full nameGrand Rapids Civic Auditorium
Former namesCivic Auditorium (1933–1975)
LocationGrand Rapids, Michigan
Coordinates42.967658°N 85.673940°W / 42.967658; -85.673940
OwnerGrand Rapids, Michigan
OperatorGrand Rapids, Michigan
Capacity3,800
Construction
Broke ground1932
Built1932-1933
Opened1933
Renovated1984">[1], 2005
Closed2003
Construction cost1.5 Million
ArchitectRobinson & Campau; Smith, Hinchman and Grylls
Project managerCity Manager George Welsh
General contractorOwens-Ames-Kimball
Tenants
Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL) (1950)
Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1989–1996)

History

According to the History of Grand Rapids: "Though desired for many years, Grand Rapids finally obtained a public auditorium during the Great Depression. Hoping to put the city’s unemployed to work on the project, City Manager George Welsh coordinated a one-and-a-half million-dollar public bond effort in 1930 to fund the construction project. The building committee selected the riverfront site of the old interurban station at Lyon and Campau.

Local architects Robinson & Campau produced a design that combined Renaissance and Art Deco elements. The building included an exhibition hall, meeting rooms, a concert space, and the main arena for a total capacity of over 8,000 spectators. The vast lobby reflects the sleek, polished metal and marble of the Art Deco style." [2]

Civic Auditorium was home to the Grand Rapids Hornets of the National Professional Basketball League (1950-1951) and the Grand Rapids Hoops, of the Continental Basketball Association. It also hosted many concerts and events.

In 1975, Civic Auditorium was renamed the "George Welsh Civic Auditorium," after the former City Manager and Mayor. The name shortened to "Welsh Auditorium" over time.[3] [4]

With the "Civic Auditorium" front façade and lobby remaining intact, the auditorium portion was imploded in 2003, and in February 2005 was incorporated as a part of the Steelcase Ballroom of the DeVos Place Convention Center.[5][6][7]

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References
  1. http://www.erhardtcc.com/Projects/Municipal-Civil/Welsh-Auditorium.aspx
  2. http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2499/civic-auditorium
  3. https://devosperformancehall.com/history-1
  4. https://devosperformancehall.com/history-1
  5. http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2499/civic-auditorium
  6. http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium-1
  7. http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium/


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