Sadly, Jason McClean spent the last decade ruining the art moderne interior with his awful brand of 1980s bohemian chic, and has now fled the country because of child molestation charges. The theater is under new ownership. Great old photos here showing before and afters of the 1930s remodeling: https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/naa:397?pn=false#/image/0
It’s hard to link to the historical society. The links always end up broken about 3 months later. They must reshuffle and sort media constantly or something. Thanks Ken.
The theater still awaits funding from the state bonding bill to commence with the renovation. Artspace is awaiting another session since this year no monies were alotted for the project (the new planetarium scored big though!) Alas, in another year we’ll dance the bonding dance once more, hopefully for the last time.
The theatre is a twin to the Shubert Theater in Minneapolis which currently awaits funding from the state for an amazing renovation as a performance arts venue. Check ou the link on the theater page for the schematic designs.
The theater is still vacant as the weeds take over the parking lot. I hope that someone with an eye for design and film can take over the old Chief Theater soon. A theater with a bad roof is like a table without legs.
(Could someone on staff fix my links above? Gracias.)
The theater is still in the process of development. Complications continue to arise but it still looks good. I cannot be very specific on the details as certain parties are in negotiation. There may be twice as much money in the pot which mean a better venue. Work is still planned to begin this year. Further questions can be directed .
I looked up the original print and the marquee in the top picture says ‘The Incomparable Showplace of the Northwest’. What’s odd is the theater is in NE Minneapolis not, oh say, Tacoma or Portland.
The older links (like those above) were on the old MN Historical Society site which did not allow you to link to a search page. (I thought I had put up new ones since then, where did they go?)
The address listed is not the theater but warehouse space that the dance company renovating the theater occupies. The address should be 345 13th Avenue NE.
Also, the theater was designed by the firm of Liebenberg and Kaplan.
Contexual shot- View link
The building to the right remains, it is the Town Hall Brew Pub. Everything to the left of the theater is gone, it is now the 35W trench.
The theater space has finally reopened, as an event center. Lots of the original elements were restored! https://www.hollywoodmpls.com/
Sadly, Jason McClean spent the last decade ruining the art moderne interior with his awful brand of 1980s bohemian chic, and has now fled the country because of child molestation charges. The theater is under new ownership. Great old photos here showing before and afters of the 1930s remodeling: https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/naa:397?pn=false#/image/0
A new effort… http://www.journalmpls.com/news/2017/03/a-second-act-for-the-hollywood/
This theater is currently under renovation!
http://www.northgardentheater.com/
View link
It’s hard to link to the historical society. The links always end up broken about 3 months later. They must reshuffle and sort media constantly or something. Thanks Ken.
:) sorry…
Or the pictures of ‘orbs’ are simply dust and spores that were clogging my lungs and mucus membranes as I took those photos. It was overwhelming.
nope, i believe that is the hollywood in san fran, i’d have to actually research it though- like on this site…ha
The Capri (Paradise) in 1938-
View link
The theater still awaits funding from the state bonding bill to commence with the renovation. Artspace is awaiting another session since this year no monies were alotted for the project (the new planetarium scored big though!) Alas, in another year we’ll dance the bonding dance once more, hopefully for the last time.
The Varsity is Alive again!
http://www.varsitytheater.org/index.html
Thank You Mr. Mclean-
Marvelous Job!
The theatre is a twin to the Shubert Theater in Minneapolis which currently awaits funding from the state for an amazing renovation as a performance arts venue. Check ou the link on the theater page for the schematic designs.
The Fitz
The theater is still vacant as the weeds take over the parking lot. I hope that someone with an eye for design and film can take over the old Chief Theater soon. A theater with a bad roof is like a table without legs.
(Could someone on staff fix my links above? Gracias.)
The theater is still in the process of development. Complications continue to arise but it still looks good. I cannot be very specific on the details as certain parties are in negotiation. There may be twice as much money in the pot which mean a better venue. Work is still planned to begin this year. Further questions can be directed .
Photos of the theater can be seen here.
A picture of the Unique Theater circa 1908.
I looked up the original print and the marquee in the top picture says ‘The Incomparable Showplace of the Northwest’. What’s odd is the theater is in NE Minneapolis not, oh say, Tacoma or Portland.
What a wall!– Must be awfully dramatic at night. Very streamlined.
…eyesore…
I try not to get invloved, but NO it Should NOT!
The Shubert Theater in Minneapolis was actually the heaviest building moved. The Gem Theater is in the record books for the longest distance moved.
Guinness records:
Gem Theater
Shubert Theater
At around 6 million pounds, the theater was the heaviest building ever moved on rubber wheels; here is the Guinness Record.
An article and some facts from the Star Tribune.
Jim Lileks insightful take on the Shubert’s history.
The older links (like those above) were on the old MN Historical Society site which did not allow you to link to a search page. (I thought I had put up new ones since then, where did they go?)
The address listed is not the theater but warehouse space that the dance company renovating the theater occupies. The address should be 345 13th Avenue NE.
Also, the theater was designed by the firm of Liebenberg and Kaplan.
New links:
1952 cooking class
“Take the High Ground”
1981 view -this is how the theater appears now.
The current plans or the building are here.
Working link:
1910-
View link
Contexual shot-
View link
The building to the right remains, it is the Town Hall Brew Pub. Everything to the left of the theater is gone, it is now the 35W trench.