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  1.  
    Based on the description of the Rex in that document, it sounds like the original facade still lurks underneath the false front. It would be a shame to tear it down without first seeing what's still there.
    But the description of that block seems to indicate (by the process of elimination) that the Colonial Theatre must have been between the Starland and Rex.
    Thankful People: EastSider
    • CommentAuthorEastSider
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    Wow, three theatres possibly all in a row, must have been something to see! And you're right Bubber, I'll bet that facade in Mr C's picture is still underneath there. The crowbar crew is going to be busy!!
    • CommentAuthorrgalston
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    There was five theatres around the intersection of Logan and Main in the 1940s: the Fox at 606 Main (SW corner), the Starland at 630, the Colonial at 634, and the Regent up at 644. Across the street, in the Mitchell's Fabrics building (the Bon-Accord block), there was the Oak Theatre--which I have read had a rather seedy reputation at the time.
    Thankful People: EastSider, mouse
    • CommentAuthorEastSider
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    Hmmmmm looks like Winnipeg had its very own Theatre Row, and with Pantages and the Walker within walking distance you really must have had a good choice. Wasn't there also an Orpheum Theatre nearby?
  2.  
    The Orpheum was closer to Portage on Fort, but the Beacon was where the Concert Hall is now and the Bijou was at William and Main. The Dominion was also at Portage and Main.
    • CommentAuthorpizzaman
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2008
     
    I can't believe the city does not have design guidelines for Main street, in the event a project like the WRHA takes off. Complete lack of foresight and understanding.

    Now the downtown is going to be stuck with some f**king building that deserves to be located in the south end of the city.

    Can you imagine RRCC being built the way it is today in an industrial park? So why build an industrial looking building in the downtown?

    Wake up folks. The only thing that will ensure the future of our Downtown is understanding its past and celebrating it. Preserving it. Recreating it. That’s its strength.

    That’s the vision.
    Thankful People: mouse, slowdive101
    • CommentAuthorEastSider
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    On this I'll agree with you, we've lost too much as it is nevermind adding a few more gems to the discard pile.The city lets things slide for too long and then theres little choice but to do the unthinkable!
    •  
      CommentAuthorcancelbot
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008 edited
     
    Moderator
    Thanks for the Regent/Epic background info, Mr. C. I note from Len Fairchuk's bio at http://www.ncifm.com/aboriginal-music-hall-of-fame/lenfairchuk.html that he bought the Regent/Epic in the mid-70s to use as the venue for hosting the Western Hour.

    Any idea when the Starland and Regent/Epic ceased functioning as cinemas?

    Now I'm curious as to why the previous owners of the Regent/Epic boarded up the facade? Was it simply an effort at modernizing its appearance, or was there damage of some kind? It would be interesting to see what lurks underneath there.
  3.  
    Starland I think I read was in the late 60's. It was a department store and a soup kitchen. Epic was still a cinema in the early 80's. <br>
    <br>
    Yes, when they are taking the buildings down I am going to be there to see what pops up when the facades are pulled off. I hope tehy try to remove the false wall first from the Rex to wee what, if anything, is there
  4.  
    Back when Anitta Stenning was running CentreVenture and it was still a useful entity, they had APTN lined up to locate its studio in the Starland. Shame that never happened.
    • CommentAuthorEastSider
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    Does anyone remember in which thread Mr Point posted the interior of the Starland pictures? I can't find them now!
    •  
      CommentAuthorcancelbot
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008 edited
     
    Moderator
    Posted By: BubberMileyBack when Anitta Stenning was running CentreVenture and it was still a useful entity, they had APTN lined up to locate its studio in the Starland. Shame that never happened.


    That would have been fantastic. A studio in the Starland coupled with a new administrative building placed on either side... I guess APTN doesn't quite have the budget to engage in building projects like that, though. Their space on Portage is not particularly big-budget in appearance.

    As for the Regent/Epic, it would be interesting to see what is behind the false fronts. If the original is still there, that might change everything.
  5.  
    On skyskraper page someone posted what you can do on a street like this combining empty lots and existing heritage buildings. I would say something similar to this (but on both sides) would be much more appropriate for that stretch of Main. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3431504&postcount=6690
    •  
      CommentAuthormrchristian
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008 edited
     
    I thought I would check into Theatre Corona in Montreal to see if was still around. If not, Poor old Rex would be the oldest purpose built cinema in Canada.<br>
    <br>
    <a href=http://www.theatrecorona.com/site.html>It's still around allright !</a><br>
    <br>
    <p><img src= http://www.theatrecorona.com/images/facadecorona2.jpg ><br>
    <p><img src= http://www.theatrecorona.com/images/balcon.JPG ><br>
    <p><img src= http://www.theatrecorona.com/images/Photo_corona023.jpg ><br>
    <br>
    •  
      CommentAuthorcancelbot
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    Moderator
    Impressive on both counts, Mr. C.

    Robert Galston's erudite and always-on-the-money blog profiled the Buffalo buildings as well. I have to say that the preservationist argument is strong with examples like that.

    The Corona is a gorgeous building, and it looks like they've managed to make an old theatre work again. I suspect something like that would be a tough sell on North Main, though - it might be a better formula for The Met (or better than a CanadInns Bar, in any case).
    Thankful People: rgalston
  6.  
    Too bad no one thought of it in 1978 for the Capitol.
  7.  
    Was it the Capitol or the Garrick, that had two entrances...one on Portage Avenue and the other on a side street that had a overhead walk to the main theatre? I always thought that that was very strange.
  8.  
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Jimmytufish</cite>Was it the Capitol or the Garrick, that had two entrances...one on Portage Avenue and the other on a side street that had a overhead walk to the main theatre? I always thought that that was very strange.</blockquote>
    Capitol. They sold the Portage front off to Genser's Furniture in the ...60's I believe. That is odd. Perhaps a theory...it gave buildings a small Portage Avenue frontage (which would have been pricey at the time) while building the bulk of the building on a sidestreet
    Thankful People: Jimmytufish
  9.  
    <blockquote><cite></cite>he artists that live either above Norman's Meats and the White Rose</blockquote>
    Tidbit of history I found today while doing some research and kudos for the new owners for finding it out, too.... Alexander Logan built the White Rose in 1886. When it was sold in 1896 the name was changed to the Occidental. So the new name for the place is acutally the old name for the place !
  10.  
    Not many places can say "since 1886".