1919 – Metropolitan Theatre, Donald Street, Winnipeg

The theatre was one of fortyfive in a chain owned by the Allen brothers, Jay J. Allen and Jules Allen, and visually very similar to one in Toronto. Designed by C. Howard Crane, who designed many theatres for the brothers, the 24,000-square-foot cinema was constructed in 1919 and opened with a formal ceremony on 2 January 1920 as the Allen Theatre. Its main auditorium and mezzanine had seats for 2,000 people.

An American from Detroit, Crane had opened an office in Windsor, Ontario, to attend to the numerous projects he worked on in Canada. The Met is one af only a few of his buildings still standing in Canada.

Described in early 1920:

The Allens in particular, have done much to promote good architecture in buildings for this purpose as has already been demonstrated by subjects presented in these columns, and their new Winnipeg house, recently opened, and which is illustrated in this connection, is but further evidence of their progressive policy.

This new theatre is not only the latest, but it is the largest photo-play house on the Allen circuit. It rivals in decorative character and appointments its several worthy predecessors which have been added during the past few years to the large number of similar enterprises all under the control and direction of the one management. The exterior, which is of buff brick, and which shows a nice use of stone ornaments, is somewhat in character with the down town Toronto theatre, owned by the same interests. Stores for rental purposes are on either side of the entrance, with circular headed window openings in the upper facade and shallow pilasters rising to a simple detail cornice.

The plan itself embodies no unusual departure as regards layout or arrangement. Access is through an attractive lobby, 20 by 45 feet, connected with a 10-foot foyer, extending the full width of the auditorium. The outstanding feature of the interior is a luxuriously furnished promenade on the mezzanine floor which with its heavily upholstered chairs, settees and reading lamps, and richly carpeted floor, makes an ideal meeting and resting place for the patrons, with every comfort and convenience.

The auditorium is circular in form, free from columns and obstructions, with a large balcony having the front portion taken up with boxes or reserved seat compartments. The seating capacity of the house is 2,000. As in most of the theatres erected by these interests, the orchestral pit has been eliminated and the musicians occupy a slightly elevated platform which brings them in full view of the audience.

The color scheme and decorative detail show skilful handling throughout; old rose, ivory and French gray tones predominate, with fluted columns and plaster ornament forming the definition of the wall panels. An elaborately designed dome with hidden electrical effects recessed in coves, enables the house to be lighted without any bulbs being seen. Comfort at any season is assured through the installation of a most modern ventilating system costing in itself $52,000.
Construction, April 1920

In 1923, after the brothers ran into financial difficulties due to overextending themselves, the company was acquired by Famous Players and the theatre was renamed the Metropolitan. It underwent renovations in 1948 and finally closed as a cinema in 1987. It later sat empty and decaying for many years before a restoration and reopening in 2012 as a function space.

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