History

Looking Back

Hennepin Theatre Trust, established in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was created to assume responsibility for and guarantee the future of the State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres which line Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. In 2005, the Trust executed a long term financing arrangement with the City of Minneapolis to transition ownership of these three theatres from the City to the Trust.

The City of Minneapolis originally owned the State Theatre as part of the LaSalle Plaza redevelopment project. Prior to this, our community routinely demolished older buildings—including historic theatres—to make way for new construction. The State Theatre is widely seen as the hallmark case of preservation in Minneapolis and it helped turn the tide against the automatic demolition of historic buildings. While the State Theatre was still undergoing restoration (completed in 1990), the Orpheum Theatre became available for purchase when singer/songwriter Bob Dylan and his brother put it on the market. The City quickly moved to acquire the venue, began operating the theatre almost immediately and subsequently completed restoration in 1993. In August 1996, Ted Mann, who owned the Pantages Theatre, sought a demolition permit. The City rejected demolition and assumed ownership of the Pantages which reopened after the restoration was completed in November 2002. The Trust is currently retiring more than $20 million in City-issued bond debt that was incurred to pay for the theatres’ restoration. The Trust also now manages Hennepin Stages, across Hennepin Avenue from the State Theatre, on behalf of the City of Minneapolis.

Today and Beyond

Today, Hennepin Theatre Trust continues to operate, preserve and program these historic theatres. As the long term owner, operator and principal programmer of these amazing venues, the Trust is positioned to create a bright future for them, presenting a broad array of live entertainment that enriches our community. We have hired Historic Theatre Group, LLC to oversee the daily operation of our theatres. We also work with a variety of outside organizations, including a relationship with Broadway Across America, to assist us in securing the very best in touring Broadway engagements. The Trust has brought current works to our stages through valuable local partnerships with The Jungle Theater, The Loft Literary Center, Theatre Lattè Da and Cantus, the History Theatre, Actors Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, the Guthrie Theater and National Geographic. The Trust will continue to foster a broad range of partnerships to ensure a diverse mix of programming for our patrons.