BY ED FELIEN
Last fall the City of St. Paul approved a loan to replace seating, carpeting, drapes and concession stands at the Grandview Theater on Grand Avenue. They had already approved $166,250 in July for new seats, plumbing and carpeting for the Grandview and the Highland theaters. The new $166,250 is also in the form a “forgivable” loan. If they remain in business at the two historic locations for eight and a half years, or if they achieve historic preservation status, then the loans will be forgiven.
In 2003 both theaters were awarded a “forgivable” loan of $288,270 with the provision that they stay in business for nine years. In 2012 the loan was forgiven. The money went for HVAC and roof repairs for both theaters.
Bryan Krefft in Cinema Treasures writes, “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.”
The Grandview Theater was built for George Grandstrom in 1933. In 1937 an addition was made on the east side of the original theater to include a lounge and office, and at this time a balcony was added, providing 350 additional seats, thus making the theater’s capacity 1,100. It is topped by a marquee, which has black panels, characteristic deco lettering, stepped zigzag detailing, and neon and bulb lighting. The one-story wing on the east side of this storefront was added in 1937, and there is a half-rainbow design at the edge of the original portion of the building, at the junction with the addition. The interior of the building retains much of its original flavor. In 1973 the theater underwent an extensive renovation, and in 1975 the balcony was converted to a second screening room. George Grandstrom owned the theater until his death in 1972.
At one time St. Paul had more than a hundred movie theaters. Now there are only two, and that’s probably why the St. Paul City Council is concerned about their preservation.
Steve Mann, co-owner of the Mann Theaters that own the Grandview and the Highland theaters, assured the council that no architectural changes were planned.
Frederick Melo reported the Council action in the Pioneer Press: “ ‘I know the Manns,’ said council member Chris Tolbert, who worked at the Grandview as a teen. ‘They care more about theaters than probably anybody in this city.’ ”
