A former theatre building on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg was designed by local architect Max Blankstein and constructed in 1912 by owner Jacob Miles. Originally used for live vaudeville performances, it was later converted into a movie theatre. In 1927 a balcony was added by day labourers, increasing the theatre’s capacity to 800 people. The theatre closed in 1964 and the stage, balcony, and all interior walls were removed. The space was used successively as a department store, auction house, furniture warehouse, and bargain store. In 1997, it was sold to a group hoping to use it for live community theatre. The building has been vacant since at least 2002.

Palace Theatre (circa 1930)
Source: Russ Gourluck, Silver Screens on the Prairie, Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications.

The former Palace Theatre (April 2017)
Source: George Penner

The former Palace Theatre (May 2017)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

The former Palace Theatre (January 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk

Interior of the former Palace Theatre (2002)
Source: City of Winnipeg

Interior of the former Palace Theatre (2002)
Source: City of Winnipeg
Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91577, W97.14506 denoted by symbol on the map above
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See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Jacob “Jack” Miles (1887-1951)
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Manitoba Business: Allied Amusements Limited
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba
Sources:
501 Selkirk Avenue, Former Palace Theatre, City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, December 2002.
We thank the City of Winnipeg, George Penner, and Jordan Makichuk for providing information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 February 2023
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