Contemporary article in The Redwood Gazette (May 6, 1937) has a sketch and indicates this may have been new construction, at least partly? The lede is “The work of wrecking the former Lobdell buildings on Second street to make room for the new ‘Falls’ theatre began Friday.” The rest of the article mentions things that would be indicative of new construction, like it being “as near fireproof as it is possible to build a theatre.”
Close: The current land is not the car dealership, it’s just south: TRIA Physical Therapy at Park Nicollet Clinic Prior Lake.
Contemporary article in The Redwood Gazette (May 6, 1937) has a sketch and indicates this may have been new construction, at least partly? The lede is “The work of wrecking the former Lobdell buildings on Second street to make room for the new ‘Falls’ theatre began Friday.” The rest of the article mentions things that would be indicative of new construction, like it being “as near fireproof as it is possible to build a theatre.”
Theater architect:
Perry E. Crosier, Minneapolis-based theater architect of some renown in the region in that era.
However: “the remained of the building was designed locally.” [no names specified]
Source:
“1 2-3 Acres of Space on 4 floors of Bachcall Building,” The Post-Crescent, January 28, 1942, page 21.