Grandview 1 & 2

1830 Grand Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55105

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Related Websites

Mann Theatres, MN (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Mann Theatres, MN

Architects: Myrtus A. Wright

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Grandview Theatre, Grandview Fine Arts Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 651.698.3344

Nearby Theaters

Grandview 1 & 2

The Grandview originally opened in 1933 – a small neighborhood theater, built in an Art Moderne style by architect Myrtus A. Wright, who also designed the larger Streamline style Highland Theatre, also in Saint Paul, a few years later.

The facade features a gorgeous marquee in black and white lit by neon and light bulbs, the theater’s name surrounded by triangular-shaped patterns. Twin columns of shiny purplish-green vitrolite frame the marquee.

In 1972, the balcony was closed off into a tiny second auditorium. However, the Grandview 1 & 2, which is currently part of the Mann Theatres, MN chain, still retains most of its original Art Moderne look, both inside and out.

It remains a great place to get something of an old-fashioned movie going experience.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

bcgorder
bcgorder on November 27, 2004 at 5:25 pm

I think the Grandview had a much classier name when referred to as the Grandview Fine Arts Theater, and of course the balcony theater referred to as The Screening Room. I first went to the Screening Room to see “Young Frankenstein”. It was a new experience at the time to view a film in such an intimate surrounding. A great comedy combined with a full house in a small theater made for probably one of my most pleasant moviegoing experience.

A couple of questions: Does anyone remember “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” playing first run there? Did it actually show for a year there? Or is that just an over-fond memory?

And does the Grandview still have the silver screen?

sheepy
sheepy on January 8, 2005 at 6:39 pm

I know Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid showed at the Highland because I saw it there. I don’t recall it showing at the Grandview; would they have shown the same movie within that close of a distance?

mazzart
mazzart on February 12, 2010 at 10:19 am

Here’s an oil painting of Grandview…it’s for sale on my art site:

View link

packer
packer on August 10, 2012 at 9:06 pm

The balcony has been converted into a small theater. Keyword small. Pretty cozy up there but still neat. It is a great theatre in a nice historic neighborhood. Me and my gal went to a movie here last summer.

gliocchicastani
gliocchicastani on October 4, 2014 at 1:10 pm

Mann Theaters is planning to cover the black Vitrolite glass towers with sheet metal. According to a reliable source, the City of St. Paul was “forcing” them to do it because the City thinks Vitrolite possibly falling off the building poses a hazard. If anyone is interested in helping me intervene, please contact me. Jeff

gliocchicastani
gliocchicastani on October 4, 2014 at 1:13 pm

My email address is . Thanks.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on October 5, 2014 at 3:15 am

Vitrolite comes out of St. Louis, Mo and I have never heard of such nonsense about it being a hazard and falling off.

Johnmurphy1962
Johnmurphy1962 on April 1, 2016 at 12:18 pm

My first job was as an usher here in 1978. Years later I saw Batman Forever there as was amazed that the place looked exactly the same.

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