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The Broadway Theatre

715 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1977/04/14

Front façade of the Broadway Theatre, 2005.; City of Saskatoon, Kathlyn Szalasznyj, 2005.
Front façade
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Other Name(s)

The Broadway Theatre
Theatre on Broadway

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1946/01/01 to 1947/12/31

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2006/03/20

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Broadway Theatre is a Municipal Heritage Property comprising two city lots in the Nutana district of Saskatoon. The property features a two-storey, stucco movie theatre. The designation is limited to the exterior of the building and the theatre lobby.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Broadway Theatre resides in its Art Moderne architecture. Built in 1946, the Art Moderne influence of this building reflects the mid-twentieth century design trends common to new cinemas. The stucco-clad asymmetrical façade, rounded corners at its recessed front entrance, horizontal belt courses and streamlined sign imply modernity that typified the cinema. Its lobby, featuring terrazzo flooring and recessed valance lighting leads to a single-screen seating area.

The heritage value of the Broadway Theatre also lies in its association with the Broadway Avenue commercial district, a part of its evolution as a centre of pioneer trade to diversified retail and service use. Built independently at a time when large companies dominated theatre ownership, today the refurbished cinema is an important artistic venue for film festivals, musical performances and special events.

Source:

City of Saskatoon Bylaw No. 7624.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Broadway Theatre resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements that speak to the theatre’s Art Moderne architectural style, such as its stucco exterior and the glass blocks around its show windows, the doors of the main entrance and the lobby, including the doors leading into the screening area, the oval ticket box, the valance lighting and the terrazzo flooring;
-those elements that speak to its contribution to the streetscape and its importance as a cultural venue for Saskatoon, such as the marquee and its location on its original site.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Saskatchewan

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (SK)

Recognition Statute

Heritage Property Act, s. 11(1)(a)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Property

Recognition Date

1977/04/14

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Learning and the Arts

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Leisure
Auditorium, Cinema or Nightclub

Architect / Designer

George Forrester

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

City of Saskatoon Community Services Department Development Services Branch 222 - 3rd Avenue North SASKATOON SK S7K 0J5

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

MHP 1731

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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