The Quo Vadis was held by slum lords for the longest time, as the owners moved into a nice new building [[Showcase Cinema) right down the street, now also abandoned. The owners were asking some five million dollars back in 2005. The price included the adjacent parking lot as well as a unusable lot behind the Toys R Us. A real estate agent from Grubb and Ellis told me straight out that they clearly didn't plan on selling it.
As I understand, the Quo Vadis was built as part of a drive in theater complex. You could eat in the golden crown top while watching a movie out the windows, and listening to speakers at each table. There may still be some remnants of that complex in the overgrown lot behind the Pizza Hut.
I drove through this area just yesterday, and was sad to see the iconic sign gone. I was very surprised how many abandoned buildings and vacancies line Wayne Road. It's very unfortunate what is happening in the inner suburbs, but I guess it was obvious this was coming. I hear Westland Mall is doing well at least.
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