By the 1880's Kalamazoo had evolved into a modern city. As such a proper auditorium was seen as being needed. Thus the Kalamazoo Opera House Corporation was formed to raise the funds. The Academy of Music opened on May 8, 1882. It would remain Kalamazoo's leading theatre for decades.

The auditorium and storefront were designed by the Chicago firm of Adler and Sullivan. They would go on to revolutionize American architecture with their modern skyscrapers. Frederick Bush was the contractor.

By 1916 the Academy had became the Regent, a movie house operated by Butterfield Theaters. The famed auditorium burned in 1930. The storefront would survive until 1967 when it was removed to clear space for the Industrial State Bank Building.