Designed by B. Marcus Priteca of Seattle, construction of this structure between 1913 and 1914 by contractor James McDiarmid was supervised by local architect George William Northwood. The Pantages Theatre, named for businessman Alexander Pantages, was the first reinforced concrete Vaudeville house of its size in North America. It was renamed the Playhouse in 1923, then became City property during a 1930s tax sale. In 1985, a plaque was installed in its lobby, recognizing its designation as a National Historic Site by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. It is also a municipally and provincially designated historic site. Restoration of the theatre building was given a Conservation Award by Heritage Winnipeg.

Playhouse Theatre (April 2017) Source: George Penner

Interior of Playhouse Theatre (September 2018)
Source: George Penner

Interior of Playhouse Theatre (September 2018)
Source: George Penner

Pantages Theatre commemorative plaque (2009) Source: City of Winnipeg

Pantages Theatre commemorative plaque (September 2018)
Source: George Penner
Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89901, W97.13774 denoted by symbol on the map above
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See also:
Memorable Manitobans: George William Northwood (1876-1959)
Memorable Manitobans: James McDiarmid (1855-1934)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Plaques for Persons, Events and Sites of National Historic Significance
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Pantages Playhouse Theatre, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch
Sources:
“180 Market Avenue, Playhouse Theatre (formerly Pantages Theatre),” Historical Buildings Committee, 30 September 1980.
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank George Penner and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 6 August 2022
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Historic Sites of Manitoba
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