Originally conceived in 1980 under the leadership of Mayor Coleman A. Young, the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, formerly known as Chene Park was born from a vision of public access to Detroit’s waterfront through a network of green spaces, cultural venues, and economic revitalization. Over the years, the project evolved into one of the Midwest’s largest open-air amphitheaters, now seating over 6,000 attendees and drawing global talent and capacity crowds.
The amphitheater, now renamed to honor Detroit’s own Aretha Franklin, remains a vital cultural and recreational asset hosting legends such as Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, and Ms. Franklin herself. The site also serves as a lush urban respite, connecting community and music along the Detroit River.
Disciplines
- Architecture
- Construction Administration
- Landscape Design
- Programming
- Shoreline Design
- Site Design
Type(s)
- Parks / Recreation
Services
- Architecture
- Construction Administration
- Landscape Design
- Programming
- Shoreline Design
- Site Design
Client
- Harriet Saperstein
LOCATION
- Detroit, MI