The Broadway Theatre
- Designated
Description of the Historic Place
The Broadway Theatre is a two-storey, stucco movie theatre. The building was constructed in 1946 and is located in the neighbourhood of Nutana.
This historic place, located at 715 Broadway Avenue, was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 1997. 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. This style of architecture 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, glass blocks around its show window, 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 Broadway Theatre’s design by the architectural firm of Webster and Gilbert had parabolic seating for good viewing, a ladies’ powder room and a crying room for infants.
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 / City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database / Canadian Register of Historic Places
Character Defining Elements
Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:
- Its Art Moderne architecture, evident in: 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;
- The marquee and overhanging sign; and
- Its location on its original site.