Overview

The Hollywood Theater is an example of a neighborhood movie house. It reflects architectural and social history trends of the 1930s. 

• Location: 2815 Johnson Street Northeast 
• Neighborhood: Audubon Park

Historic photo (1935)

Current photo (2006)

Architecture

• Architectural Style: Streamline Moderne and Art Deco
• Architect: Liebenberg and Kaplan

Use

• Historic use: Theater
• Current use: Event space

Construction

• Construction date: 1935
• Contractor: Car-Del Company

Significance

• Area(s) of significance: Architecture; Master Architect
• Period of significance: Undefined
• Date of local designation: 1990
• Date of National Register designation: 2014
• Designation: Exterior (excluding marquee) and selected interior areas

Historic profile

The Hollywood Theater is an example of a neighborhood movie house. It reflects architectural and social history trends of the 1930s.  

Local firm Liebenberg and Kaplan designed the Hollywood. They were considered experts in movie theater design. The theater is Streamline Moderne in style. It is a sleek square building clad in smooth Kasota stone, brick, and granite. It has rectilinear bands on the front elevation and porthole lights above the exit doors. The original marquee was rectangular and there was a vertical projecting “Hollywood” sign. However, the city passed a fireproof canopy ordinance in 1948. This resulted in a new Zig-Zag Deco marquee at the Hollywood. It is a protruding horizontal triangle offset to the north of the building. Light green tiles now wrap around the north corner to cover the gap left from the original marquee and sign. The interior of the theater follows a subtle nautical theme with Art Deco finishes.  

The theater is located along the former Johnson Street streetcar line. The streetcar brought moviegoers from other, more populous, areas of town. It was removed in 1954. Sales at the Hollywood declined as drive-in and suburban movie theaters grew popular. It officially closed in 1987. 

Water damage and general lack of maintenance over the years resulted in deterioration. However, several repairs and renovations have revived it. It functions as an event rental space today. 

Photo credit

• 1935 photo: Entrance Lobby, Courtesy of Sean Ryan  
• 2006 photo: Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development

Work cited

• "Neighborhood Movie Theater Thematic District: Guidelines for Rehabilitation," July 1991
• Gregory Donofrio, Meghan Elliott, and Ryan Salmon, "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Hollywood Theater," August 2013
• S.B. Murray, “Local Heritage Preservation Designation Study: Hollywood Theatre,” September 1985