A two-storey brick theatre at the southwest corner of Ash Street and Academy Road in Winnipeg, measuring 90 feet by 150 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein. It was built between 1930 and 1931 by contractor Walter Hanson Iverson for Jacob Miles of Allied Amusements Limited. The initial cost of about $175,000 rose to around $300,000 by the time of completion.
The structure had two retail spaces on each side of a central entranceway to the 1,700-seat Uptown Theatre opened to the public on 24 December 1931.
In 1960, the theatre’s interior was renovated dramatically when it was converted into a bowling alley. It operated as such until 2019 when it was redeveloped into mixed residential and commercial use. The project received a conservation award from Heritage Winnipeg (2022).
The building is a municipally-designated historic site.
Uptown Theatre (April 2017)
Source: Christine Loff
Uptown Lofts (July 2021)
Source: George Penner
Uptown Lofts (May 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87362, W97.18276
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Memorable Manitobans: Jacob “Jack” Miles (1887-1951)
Memorable Manitobans: Walter Hanson Iverson (1884-1952)
Manitoba Business: Allied Amusements Limited
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1558/1930, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Brick laying on new theatre well advanced,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 April 1930, page 19.
“Good week in building permits; New theatre and apartment blocks announced,” Manitoba Free Press, 24 May 1930, page 28.
“Uptown Theatre film,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 December 1931, page 24.
“Winnipeg’s new Uptown Theatre will open this evening,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 December 1931, page 16.
“Stone, brick & concrete work of the Uptown Theatre,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 December 1931, page 17.
“Uptown Theatre opened by Mayor,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 December 1931, page 2.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #587 February 1958, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 850/1960, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Uptown Bowling Alleys (Formerly Uptown Theatre), 394 Academy Road, Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, September 1985.
We thank Christine Loff, George Penner, and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 19 March 2025
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