Grandview 1 & 2
1830 Grand Avenue,
St. Paul,
MN
55105
1830 Grand Avenue,
St. Paul,
MN
55105
2 people
favorited this theater
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
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
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
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?
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?
Here is a mid-eighties view:
http://tinyurl.com/2yl6at
Here is a 2007 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/5gdsph
Here’s an oil painting of Grandview…it’s for sale on my art site:
View link
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.
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
My email address is . Thanks.
Vitrolite comes out of St. Louis, Mo and I have never heard of such nonsense about it being a hazard and falling off.
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.