The demise of the old Guthrie

The Tyrone Guthrie Theater opened on Vineland Place in Minneapolis in 1963. Its first home was an intriguing and elegant modernist building designed by architect Ralph Rapson. The stage was thrust forward, with seating on three sides - imagine a small indoor amphitheatre, with close-in sight lines and superb acoustics. What an amazing place to take in a play! It was also a great venue for concerts and other perfomances.

The Guthrie Theater company eventually outgrew this building and after years of planning and politicking, they built another spectacular new building, designed by Jean Nouvel, on the downtown Minneapolis riverfront. The final curtain at their original home came down in May, 2006. Immediately thereafter the company decamped to their new digs, where they opened in June. The original building has now been demolished, to the utter dismay of some of us.

This view lacks any dramatic induced collapses; I'm just panning the destruction. I took it from across Vineland Place on December 22, 2006. The Walker Art Center and the former shared Walker-Guthrie lobby are on the left. The backstage areas were to the right; Bryant Avenue is outside the right margin.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Guthrie
• Theater
• demolition
• Minneapolis
• Minnesota

[BlargyBlue]

Why did they do this - why not just use it for something else?!

[cleostreet]

As far as I know:

1 - Walker Art Center owns the property and wanted to expand outdoor exhibits;

2 - The Guthrie finally got its bigger building;

3 - There is presently a surplus of theater space in this area;

4 - There didn't seem to be anyone who was willing to pay for the upkeep;

5 - Moving the building was deemed infeasible (it was built into a hillside, not sitting on a simple foundation).

[rayofminneapolis]

GREAT SCOTT!

[cleostreet]

That's far more dignified than what I said, when I first found out that this would happen.

[benympls]

I use to work their as an usher, one of the best jobs i've had.

[BlargyBlue]

Thank you so much Cleo for letting me know some of the possible reasons. I have fond memories of this place...shame to see it go. I did love the Walker sculpture garden too. Hopefully they will put up some beautiful displays to make up for this. ;-)