Hollywood Theater
A masterpiece of Streamline Deco design, this Minneapolis neighborhood cinema opened in 1935 as the “Incomparable Showcase of the Northwest” and has been restored as a cultural venue after decades of decline.
At a glance
The Hollywood Theater is a landmark Art Deco building in the Audubon Park neighborhood, designed by architects Jack Liebenberg and Seeman Kaplan. Opened October 26, 1935, it originally seated just under 1,000 and was hailed as the Twin Cities’ most beautiful neighborhood theatre. After closing in 1987, the theater underwent restoration and reopened in 2023.
History
The theater opened during the Great Depression, a period that saw the rise of locally owned, streetcar-accessible neighborhood cinemas. Despite critical praise and its generous budget for elaborate decoration, the Hollywood was not financially successful and changed ownership several times before closure in 1987.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission designated it a local landmark in 1990. The building remained mostly vacant through the 1990s and 2000s, with various adaptive-reuse proposals—including conversion to apartments or a film studio—failing to materialize. Minneapolis acquired the property in 1993 and studied restoration options in 1998. In 2015, developer Andrew Volna purchased the theater with plans for renovation as an event venue while preserving its historic character. Reopening followed in early 2023.
What you see
Liebenberg and Kaplan designed a facade of smooth Kasota limestone with geometric lines that transition from vertical to horizontal. The entrance, exits, and three small projection-booth windows punctuate the powerful geometric mass.
Interior spaces showcase Zig-Zag Moderne and Streamline Moderne styles. Original features include a tall vertical sign, patterned terrazzo flooring, gilded pillars, and geometrically patterned acoustical tiles. Every surface reflects the architects’ commitment to the streamlined aesthetic.
Cultural significance
The Hollywood Theater exemplifies Streamline Moderne design at its most confident. Its association with neighborhood cinemas during the Depression reflects a pivotal moment in American leisure culture—when local, walkable theaters served their communities before larger multiplexes displaced them.
Liebenberg and Kaplan’s work here established their reputation; they went on to design the Riverview Theatre in Minneapolis and the Terrace Theatre in Robbinsdale. The Hollywood’s restoration signals renewed commitment to preserving this era of cinema architecture.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Minneapolis
- Opened: October 26, 1935
- Architects: Jack Liebenberg and Seeman Kaplan
- Capacity: Just under 1,000 seats
- Exterior material: Kasota limestone
- Style: Streamline Moderne (Art Deco)
- Listed on U.S. National Register of Historic Places: February 5, 2014
- Coordinates: 45.01916667, −93.23694444
Practical information & getting there
The Hollywood Theater is located in the Audubon Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. It reopened as an event venue in early 2023. For current hours, admission, and programming, contact the venue directly or check its website.
Sources & resources
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