st. clair theater national register nomination
St. Paul, MN
Clockwise: Exterior of St. Clair Theater; early rendering of the facade; interior of the theater (© Northwest Architectural Archives, Liebenberg and Kaplan Collection, 1937).
Summary
The St. Clair Theater was built in 1923 at 1560 St. Clair Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota as a neighborhood theater along a suburban streetcar line. The two-story structure maintains the feeling of a neighborhood theater, and is representative of both the work of architects Liebenberg and Kaplan and the larger pattern of theater development. The theater was constructed in the Streamline Moderne style and is covered in smooth Kasota Limestone with a base of polished granite. The primary façade has a trapezoidal marquee that is placed asymmetrically above the main entrance to the building. Significant alterations have been made to the Liebenberg and Kaplan designed structure including the removal of the majority of the blade sign, the exposure and creation of an additional façade, and alterations to the interior of the building. Despite the significant changes to the building, the St. Clair Theater maintains good integrity, and retains the feeling of a neighborhood movie theater from the exterior.
The St. Clair Theater as seen today. It now houses a ballroom and latin dance club (Google Images, 2017).
The St. Clair Theater prior to Liebenberg and Kaplan’s renovations in 1936 and 1959 (© Northwest Architectural Archives, Liebenberg and Kaplan Files).
Statement of Significance Summary
The St. Clair Theater is locally significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture/architect as an excellent example of one of the few remaining exterior facades of a residential suburban movie theater in Saint Paul designed by architects Liebenberg and Kaplan. It is also eligible under Criterion A for Entertainment/recreation due to its contributions to the development of the theater industry in St. Paul; notably the building is representative of the evolution of theater ownership in the city. Re-designed in 1936, the St. Clair Theater is a wonderful example of one of the firm’s few surviving neighborhood theaters. The period of significance for the building starts in 1936, following the remodeling by Liebenberg and Kaplan and ends with the removal of the St. Clair streetcar line in 1952, leading to the eventual demise of the theater and its renovation into racquetball courts and a ballroom. While the St. Clair has significant issues with integrity, it still maintains its characteristic theatrical feel and prominent location as a neighborhood icon.
This Draft National Register Nomination was created for ARCH 5673: Historic Building Research and Documentation, in the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, Professor Elizabeth Gales. (Spring 2017)
For the full nomination, please contact me.