The historic
Uptown Theatre, a well-known fixture in Minneapolis’s Uptown area, closed on Jan. 31 for renovations.
Its operator,
Landmark Theatres, which is based in Los Angeles, plans to reopen the place this spring, according to a prepared statement from the company.
The 900-seat theater is a destination for foreign, art and cult films, including the long-running "
Rocky Horror Picture Show."
As a part of the renovation, Landmark plans to turn the concession stand into a full bar, according to a prepared statement from the company. The theater will also get a giant new screen, luxury seats, and a digital projector. Its distinctive neon sign will remain intact, and and so will its balcony, which is one of the few of its era in use locally.
The existing Uptown Theatre was constructed in 1939 after the 1913 building on the site burned down. Originally it was known as the Lagoon Theater.
It’s defined by a classic Streamline Moderne style employed by its designers, architecture firm Liebenberg and Kaplan, which also did the
Suburban World Theatre down the street, according to the
Star Tribune.
The Uptown Theater last underwent a major remodeling in the late 1960s, the Star Tribune story states.
Alicia Garatoni, who works at
Keller Williams Realty and serves as the vice president of the
Uptown Association, welcomes the changes. “I’m thrilled, both as someone who loves independent and foreign films and has a business in the Uptown area.”
“It’s in keeping with the forward movement of Uptown,” including the remodel of
Calhoun Square and a number of other area renovations and development projects. “I’m glad it’s getting attention and will drive traffic into the Uptown area.”
She says it’ll help the area be a well-rounded destination center. “So much is going on in Uptown,” she says. “There’s a lot of reasons to come to Uptown and this is just one more.”
“I love [the theater] because it has an old-time feeling to it. It’s so charming,” she adds.
Source: Alicia Garatoni, realtor, Keller Williams and vice president, Uptown Association
Writer: Anna Pratt