Shubert, Sam S., Theatre - Minneapolis, MN - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The history of the Shubert Theater is rich and varied, playing an important role in the shaping of the Twin Cities’ theater community.

On August 28, 1910 “Twin” Sam S. Shubert theaters opened on the same day in both Minneapolis and St Paul. The St Paul Shubert Theater was renamed the Fitzgerald Theater in 1994, while the Minneapolis Shubert retained the original name. For the Minneapolis Shubert, architect William Albert Swasey designed a 1,500-seat theater with two shallow balconies and simple ornamentation, built at a cost of $250,000. It is one of only two surviving Swasey theaters.

As Minneapolis’ longest standing theater, the Shubert was host to some of the city’s most important actors of the time and stood less than a block from the center of a thriving downtown entertainment district of more than 40 theaters. With the decline of Hennepin Avenue in the 1980’s though, redevelopment became an eminent threat to its survival.

Of all the theaters in the downtown entertainment district a half-century earlier, the Shubert was one of only four left and the prospect of losing the Shubert to the wrecking ball alarmed many preservationists. Enlisting the help of the State Historic Preservation Office and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, a plan was formed to save the building.

As photographed today, this building and the historic Masonic Temple next door are separate structures. Starting soon however, this grand old building will become part of the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center. This brand-new three-building complex will include the Masonic Temple, a fully-renovated Shubert Theater, and a new glass-walled atrium connecting the two historic buildings that will serve both as a common lobby.

Street address: 516 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN USA 55403 County / Borough / Parish: Hennepin Year listed: 1995 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Periods of significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Recreation And Culture, Theatre Current function: Recreation And Culture, Theatre Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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