Terrace Theatre (Minnesota)

This article is about the iconic mid-century modern movie theater in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. For the theatrical and performance venue located in Long Beach, California, see Terrace Theater.
Terrace Theatre
The Terrace Theatre marquee in 2016
Terrace Theatre is located in Minnesota
Terrace Theatre
Terrace Theatre
Location within Minnesota
Address3508 France Ave. N. Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Construction
Opened1951
Renovated1960
Closed1999
Demolished2016
ArchitectLiebenberg and Kaplan

The Terrace Theatre was located at 3508 France Avenue North in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Upon its opening on May 23, 1951,[1] the Terrace received critical acclaim for its “bold architectural lines [and] extensive patron services.”[2] The 1,299-seat theater, designed in the mid-century modern style by the Minneapolis architectural firm of Liebenberg & Kaplan (L&K) for movie exhibitors Sidney and William Volk, was a popular Twin Cities destination for nearly fifty years. It changed hands in 1980 and again in 1987, when it was remodeled from a single-screen auditorium into three screens by dividing the balcony. The last movie was screened in 1999 and the theater remained boarded up for seventeen years before it was demolished in the fall of 2016 to be replaced by a Hy-Vee grocery store.[3]

According to architectural historian Larry Millett, the Terrace was "among the finest movie theaters of its time in the United States."[1] Despite efforts to preserve the theater, place it on the National Register of Historic Places,[4] and restore it as a multi-use facility,[5] the Robbinsdale City Council approved demolition in August 2016 and issued a permit in September. A lawsuit had been filed to prevent demolition,[6] but the theater was demolished before the case was heard in court.[3]

  1. ^ a b Millett, Larry (2015). Minnesota Modern: Architecture and Life at Midcentury. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: University of Minnesota Press. pp. 17, 137–139. ISBN 978-0-8166-8329-1.
  2. ^ "A Gem of the Lakes". "The MODERN THEATRE SECTION". BoxOffice (published 1951-08-04): 14–17. 1951.
  3. ^ a b TEGNA. "Robbinsdale theatre torn down, city looks to future". Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  4. ^ "Historic Terrace Theatre". Historic Terrace Theatre. PVN. 2016-09-26. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  5. ^ Reinan, John (July 23, 2015). "More than 2,000 sign petition to preserve Robbinsdale's historic Terrace Theater". Star Tribune.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).