AMC Block E 15
600 Hennepin Avenue,
Minneapolis,
MN
55403
600 Hennepin Avenue,
Minneapolis,
MN
55403
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Now I get it. Thanks for the info Joe!
This building is still standing. It was extensively remodeled and the upper floors converted into practice space for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball teams, as well as a sports medicine facility for the Mayo Clinic. It was reopened in 2015 as Mayo Clinic Square. The redesign, including an entirely new façade, was so radical that it might easily be mistaken for entirely new construction, but it is the original building’s bones underneath.
This opened officially on November 1st, 2002 with previews on October 25th. Grand opening ads in the photo section and below.
Found on Newspapers.com
The Crown Block E 15 Stadium 15 was designed by Port Washington, New York, architect James Thomas Martino. I’ve been unable to discover who designed Block E itself. Perhaps they are hiding in shame.
I don’t know if the lease arrangement Crown had at Block E was really typical of their business strategy (though I rather doubt it), but the link to the article I posted on March 18, 2011 describes that particular deal; basically the rent was based on a sliding scale that varied depending on gross receipts. When AMC took over, they wanted a lease extension under the same terms, but the landlord refused. AMC went to court, but lost.
The theater might have well have closed anyway, as the the whole Block E venture as originally conceived has not been successful as a shopping/dining/entertainment destination, and I have heard that a conversion proposal to a casino (we sure don’t have enough of those now, do we?) has been floated.
Officially closed. So it looks like the strategy Crown Theatres once had for building these sites failed – – http://www.specialtyretail.net/issues/nov98/CROWN.adding%20gems%20to%20the%20crown.htm (consider the level of underperformers they’ve had including three failed multiplexes – Neonopolis, Block E and Abacore) – – I believe this one closed because they had a deal that essentially allowed them to not pay rent as long as they made under a certain number, no wonder AMC wanted to stick around.
Ahh, I remember that well as well. I’m hoping with all the condo construction happening around Yonge and Bloor now, someone will open something new in that area again. I know that the Varsity is the only one with 12 screens but I would think that Empire could open something in that area. If only the 10 screen complex at 1 Bloor E could have been built before Cineplex bought Famous Players, then there would be 2 midtown complexes now. But if you count the Varsity’s 12 screens, that’s almost as many screens that used to be in the area prior to Sep 1986
How true, Tim; well, at least here in the States we have a few cities such as Seattle and Chicago (though mostly on the north side of the river) and a few others that have some truly downtown movie theaters, but it sure is not as it once was. And, even though I love Toronto, I cannot help but remember what Yonge and Bloor Streets used to be in terms of theaters that one could choose.
Hard to imagine big cities like Minneapolis without downtown theatres. I guess I’m just spoiled with all the ones here in Toronto and other big cities.
The closing is set for September 23, 2012. View article.
According to this article, the theater is defintely going to close in September, 2012, at least partially due to AMC’s unwillingness to upgrade the projection to digital (though it is easy understand why, if the lease is not going to be renewed) View link
AMC has lost its bid with the building’s owners to renew its lease; it appears likely that this theater may close when the current lease is up:
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/if-block-e-loses-its-movie-theater,-developers-hope-a-casino-could-take-its-place
AMC is having lease problems with Block E’s owners and may abandon the theater in 2012: View link.
I hope they give it a more attractive name; the current one makes it sound like it is part of a prison.
AMC has taken over.
Well Block E seems to be in trouble again. The Borders bookstore, one of the anchors is closing in February. Kerasotes has removed the Crown from the marquee but not replaced it with their own. One wonders how long the house will remain open.
As far as the lease, I don’t think Crown did its marketing before opening the build. The rent was extremely high, and the theatre was not turning a profit whatsoever.
What was the problem with the lease that Crown had?
Kerasote now owns the last Crown Theatre, block E 15, and let’s hope they got a better lease than Crown did.
The Minneapolis Crown is VERY much alive. It has never been closed since its opening date.
I don’t think so. The Crown Theater website still has showtimes listed for today. From the looks of it, they have state-of-the art projection, THX cert and sound. If the theater has been close “for a year” then who is operating it then?
This theatre has been closed according to my friend and old GM of the theatre in downtown Mnpls for more than a year.