LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A multi-million dollar plan to turn Lansing City Hall into a hotel with a restaurant. Developers presented their vision to the Lansing City Council Monday evening. The project isn’t set to start for another two years, but developers say the work really starts now, and they are excited about the future of the 10-story building overlooking the Capitol.
The phrase may be old and tired, but in the case of the former Lansing, Michigan, The Strand Theater and Arcade (eventually named the Michigan Theater, more on that later), they DO NOT build them like they used to.
It was built over a century ago, and though just a shell of its former 1920s self, the former Strand remains home to artists, dreamers, and drama. We’ll closely examine what the building looks like today, but first, a bit of history.
Once upon a time in downtown Lansing, on December 7, 1937, the J.W. Knapp Company opened its doors to throngs of eager Michigan shoppers. Though the top two floors weren’t complete yet, this grand opening was nothing short of spectacular. Fast-forward to 2024, and this building is at the forefront of yet another grand event.
