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
Playhouse Theatre (July 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold
Front facade of the Playhouse Theatre (July 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold
Aerial view of the Playhouse Theatre (September 2024)
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 PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89901, W97.13774
denoted by symbol on the map above
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
“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, Jordan Makichuk, and Greg Petzold for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 27 September 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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