Uptown Theatre

2906 Hennepin Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55408

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Finkelstein & Ruben, General Cinema Corp., Landmark Theatres (USA), Mann Theatres, Paramount-Publix, Publix

Architects: Jack J. Liebenberg

Firms: Liebenberg and Kaplan

Functions: Live Theatre

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Lagoon Theatre

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News About This Theater

Uptown Theatre

Opened as the Lagoon Theatre on June 3, 1916. By 1926 it was operated by the Finkelstein & Ruben chain. In 1927 it was equipped with a Marr & Colton 2 manual 7 ranks organ. It was remodeled and renamed the Uptown Theatre on April 25, 1929 following a takeover by Publix.

Following a fire in 1939, it was completely rebuilt by the firm of Liebenberg & Kaplan. The seating capacity was for 900 at its reopening on November 16, 1939.

It screened first run art and foreign films. Midnight screenings of cult films were also popular.

This classic movie house has retained all of its stylistic charm and its restored murals. Following conversion to digital on September 14, 2012, it now has a seating capacity for 350.

Last operated by Landmark Theatres, it was permanently closed in 2021. It was announced in March 2023 that there were plans to reopen as an entertainment venue on June 10, 2023.

Contributed by Kirk

Recent comments (view all 24 comments)

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on May 15, 2016 at 5:33 pm

Updated website: https://www.landmarktheatres.com/minneapolis/uptown-theatre

rivest266
rivest266 on January 15, 2017 at 12:20 pm

April 25th, 1929, November 16th, 1939 and September 14th, 2012 grand opening ads in the photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 22, 2022 at 11:10 am

Address in 2906 Hennepin Avenue, confirmed via Google Street View & Wiki. Opened as Lagoon Theatre on Saturday June 3, 1916, not 1913. Also confirmed. Grand Opening print ad added to gallery. Below is a January 2022 article about a potential restoration with blue prints and planned seating for 2500. Not sure if the plan went forward.

https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/major-overhaul-in-the-works-for-uptown-theater-in-mpls/89-eb720e31-fd8c-4f1c-bf2d-e2eca82e4bce

Norman Plant
Norman Plant on September 23, 2022 at 12:46 pm

When I drove by the Uptown in August the doors were open and construction trucks were parked in front of the theater. Obviously some work is being done on the interior.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 15, 2022 at 7:17 pm

February 2020 video tour of the Uptown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrbM9GX4bBY

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on March 9, 2023 at 7:07 am

Plans are to reopen as an entertainment venue in May. Story here: Uptown

MSC77
MSC77 on May 9, 2023 at 12:46 pm

Do any Twin Cities residents remember when the Uptown ran a 70mm double feature of Kubrick’s “2001” and Spielberg’s “Close Encounters”? I wish to confirm the playdate(s) of this booking. I’ve seen an un-dated photo of the marquee and have been unsuccessful in locating any newspaper advertising for such a screening.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on May 9, 2023 at 12:56 pm

Performances begin with a kickoff on June 10. Uptown

rivest266
rivest266 on August 21, 2023 at 3:59 pm

This has been reopened as a live theatre.

m00se1111
m00se1111 on August 21, 2023 at 4:04 pm

Look inside the theatre from KARE tv 11

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/first-look-inside-the-newly-renovated-uptown-theater/89-cad50d4b-5e0f-4b9a-9e9c-7db3775d9f1f

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