When it opened in 1921, the State Theatre in Minneapolis was hailed as the most luxurious showplace between New York and San Francisco. But after years of neglect, the building stood empty. Plans for a high-rise office complex threatened the site.
Then a determined group of architects and preservationalists stepped in to reverse the State’s decline. They returned color to the ornate building, refurbished the fixtures, and repaired the plaster work. They also replaced the original wood windows topping the grand marquee.
To accomplish this feat without fakery, the designers went straight to Marvin Windows and Doors. Why? Because they knew Marvin was the only window manufacturer capable of producing the historic match they desired. The 10-foot-high casements called for custom-divided lites, rounded corners, and a perfect fit with existing terra cotta profiles.
Marvin also met the owner’s requirements for performance. The windows have insulated glass and are remarkably efficient, yet they do not compromise the building’s original look.
Surrounded by new commercial construction, the State Theatre today is the stage for Broadway plays, opera, ballet, and corporate events. Those who have seen it agree that the reborn theater is the star of the downtown entertainment district. In addition to the window replacement, exterior restoration work included fluted Renaissance Corinthian pilasters, floral carvings, and the masques of the Muse of Drama. Windows by Marvin Windows and Doors, Eagan, MN.
