This building was constructed in 1919 as the Allen Theatre, part of a national chain of movie theatres owned and operated by brothers Jay J. Allen and Jules Allen. Like all the 45 theatres in the Allen chain, the building was designed by architect C. Howard Crane of Detroit, Michigan. Its main auditorium and mezzanine had seats for 2,500 people. In 1923, the company was acquired by Famous Player Canadian Corporation and the theatre was renamed the Metropolitan. It underwent renovations in 1948.
Facing competition from multiplex theatres, the Metropolitan closed in November 1987. Various plans for it were proposed in the 25 years that the building, a municipally-designated historic site, was vacant, including a restaurant, rock-and-roll museum, and conference centre. In 2012, it opened as the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre.
In 1991, the building was designated as a site of national historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and a commemorative plaque was unveiled on 15 January 2018.
Metropolitan Theatre (June 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Metropolitan Theatre (January 2018)
Source: George Penner
Unveiling of Metropolitan Theatre plaque (January 2018)
Source: Rick WishartSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89295, W97.14293
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Plaques for Persons, Events and Sites of National Historic Significance
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Metropolitan Theatre (281 Donald Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, October 1986.
“Curtain drops on Met,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 November 1987, page 21.
“Another shot for The Met,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 June 2011, page 6.
We thank George Penner and Rick Wishart for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 29 March 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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