Hollywood Theater
The Hollywood Theater building from the southwest
Hollywood Theater (Minneapolis) is located in Minnesota
Hollywood Theater (Minneapolis)
Hollywood Theater (Minneapolis) is located in the United States
Hollywood Theater (Minneapolis)
Location2815 Johnson Street Northeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates45°01′09″N 93°14′13″W / 45.01917°N 93.23694°W / 45.01917; -93.23694
Arealess than one acre
Built1935 (1935)
ArchitectJack Liebenberg and Seeman Kaplan
Architectural styleStreamline Moderne
Websitehollywoodmpls.com
NRHP reference No.13001145[1]
Added to NRHPFebruary 5, 2014

The Hollywood Theater is a historic theater building in Minneapolis which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[2] The Art Deco theater building opened on October 26, 1935, and the marquee proclaimed it the "Incomparable Showcase of the Northwest". The theater, designed by architects Jack Liebenberg and Seeman Kaplan, had a generous budget that allowed for elaborate decoration in the Streamline Deco style of design; its facade and structure made a "powerful statement of geometric mass punctuated by the entrance, exits, and three small windows that served the projection booth."[3] Liebenberg and Kaplan went on to design the Riverview Theatre in Minneapolis and the Terrace Theatre in Robbinsdale.[4] The building featured a tall vertical sign, a patterned terrazzo floor, gilded pillars, and acoustical tiles in geometric patterns. It had a seating capacity of just under 1000.[5] Much of the interior features are influenced by the Zig-Zag Moderne and Streamline Moderne styles.[4] The exterior is built of smooth Kasota limestone with vertical lines that transition to horizontal.[6]

Although the theater was praised as "the Twin Cities' most beautiful and modern neighborhood theatre"[5] and the "incomparable showplace of the Northwest",[6] it was not financially successful. It went through a series of ownership changes until it closed in 1987.[5]

The theater's lobby area in May 2010

The theater was designated as a local landmark by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission in 1990.[4] It was unable to compete with video stores and multiplexes. Despite the historic designation, a number of development proposals for the property have fizzled since its closing. A 1989 proposal hinted at converting the theater into fourteen apartments, and another proposal in 1989 included converting the building to a photograph and film production studio.[7] The Minneapolis Community Development Agency bought the theater in 1993. In 1998, they considered proposals for reuse, such as a full restoration, a partial rehabilitation such as the lobby area, or completely demolishing the theater. At the time, concerns included deterioration of the brick walls and water in the basement.[8] In 2009, the city bought an adjacent property and cleared it to provide extra space for parking or related development.[9] In 2015, the property was sold to Minneapolis real estate developer and entrepreneur Andrew Volna with plans to renovate it into an event venue while retaining the building's historic character.[10] Renovation of the theater was completed in early 2023 and reopened shortly afterwards.[11]


The Hollywood Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 5, 2014.[2] It was considered notable for its Streamline Moderne design by prominent theater architects Liebenberg & Kaplan and its association with the growth of locally owned, streetcar-accessible neighborhood cinemas during the Great Depression.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Hollywood Theater" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places. National Park System.
  2. 1 2 "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 2/03/14 through 2/07/14". National Park Service. February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  3. ↑ Scherer, Herbert (1982). Marquee on Main Street: Jack Liebenberg's Movie Theaters, 1928-1941. Minneapolis, MN: University Gallery, University of Minnesota. p. 26.
  4. 1 2 3 "Hollywood Theater". Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. February 2007. Retrieved 2012-11-03.
  5. 1 2 3 Kenney, Dave (2007). Twin Cities Picture Show: A Century of Moviegoing. Minnesota Historical Society Press.
  6. 1 2 Millett, Larry (2007). AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota Historical Society Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 0-87351-540-4.
  7. ↑ Fillmore, Gail (July 26, 1989). "Group plans to buy Hollywood for apartments". The Northeaster.
  8. ↑ Mack, Linda (August 31, 1998). "Neighbors, agencies seek new life for northeast movie theaters". Star Tribune.
  9. ↑ Feyder, Susan (June 29, 2009). "City seeks plans for sites". Star Tribune.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Bryan (29 May 2015). "Rehab of Hollywood Theater may start this summer". Finance & Commerce.
  11. ↑ "Hollywood Theatre in NE Mpls. reopens after nearly 35 years closed". CBS News. Aug 17, 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
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