The Terrace Theatre in Robbinsdale opened its doors on May 25th, 1951. Designed by the architectural firm of Liebenberg & Kaplan, for theater owners, Sydney and William Volk, the Terrace was advertised as “America’s finest theatre at your very door”.
The new theater was acclaimed in newspapers, magazines, trade journals, and industry publications. The Volk brothers explored every avenue of promotion and hyped the theater’s novelty.The press proved successful and the Terrace’s giant parking lot filled up fast. The theater’s massive 1300 seat auditorium was filled with deep cushioned seats facing a 26 foot screen. Soundproof rooms on either side of the projection booth could be used for parties or crying babies.
Outside the auditorium, the air conditioned Terrace was also equipped with a sunken den and fireplace, a television lounge, snack bars with walnut clad popcorn machines, a wishing well copper drinking fountain and background music throughout the theater. Over the years necessary improvements were made the interior was remodeled in 1963. In the 1970’s, The Terrace was retrofitted with 70mm equipment and the theater created a niche for action packed movies. 1987 the theater purchased by the Midcontinental Theater Company.
The auditorium was divided in half, and two small balconies were separated and turned into 300 seat screening rooms. The last movie played in 1999 and the windows boarded up. The Terrace has remained unoccupied ever since. The building is currently owned by an out of state property management company with no interest in the neighborhood, or the historic significance of the building.
