This two-storey, red brick building on Sargent Avenue in Winnipeg was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein. Excavation of the site was contracted to James Murray Reid and the building itself, measuring 50 feet by 102 feet, was constructed in 1926 by W. A. Irish and Company at a cost of about $60,000. The structure had two retail spaces on each side of a central entranceway to a theatre that had capacity for about 850 people.
The building's initial owner was theatre owner Nathan Rothstein and it was operated by his company Allied Amusements Limited. Named the Rose Theatre for one of Rothstein’s daughters, its grand opening was on 9 December 1926. It was subsequently renamed the Towne Theatre (1964), Venus Theatre (1974), and Festival Theatre (1979).
The former theatre was later used as a children’s daycare facility.
The former Rose Theatre (1979)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
The former Rose Theatre (January 2019)
Source: George Penner
The former Rose Theatre (January 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89703, W97.16897
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Memorable Manitobans: James Murray Reid (1882-1933)
Manitoba Business: Saul and Irish Construction Company / W. A. Irish and Company
Memorable Manitobans: Nathan Rothstein (1882-1969)
Manitoba Business: Allied Amusements Limited
Memorable Manitobans: Jacob “Jack” Miles (1887-1951)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2842/1926, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Theatre contracts let,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 July 1926, page 7.
“Grand opening of the Rose Theatre, Sargent and Arlington,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 December 1926, page 17.
“Grand opening of the Rose Theatre, Sargent and Arlington, Tonight Thursday December 9,” Manitoba Free Press, 9 December 1926, page 21.
“Another theatre was last night added to the chain of Allied Theatres,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 December 1926, page 11.
“New Rose Theatre is opened Thursday night,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 December 1926, page 20.
“810 Sargent Avenue - The Rose Theatre” by Christian Cassidy, Winnipeg Places, 30 January 2013.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
“801 Sargent Avenue,” Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.
Silver Screens on the Prairie by Russ Gourluck, Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications.
We thank George Penner and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 7 August 2024
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