Peek inside St. Paul's newest theater

The Palace Theater in downtown St. Paul
The Palace Theater in downtown St Paul has been little used for four decades. However after a $15 million refit it is about to re-open as a music venue.
Euan Kerr | MPR News

St. Paul's newest music venue is throwing an open house over the lunch hour Friday.

The city has spent nearly $15 million to renovate the old Palace Theater. After opening in March, it's expected to host between 50 and 100 rock shows a year.

Joe Spencer, St. Paul's director of arts and culture, said the Palace has only been used occasionally over the last 40 years, so it's time to re-introduce it to the public.

"There are thousands and thousands of people who have walked past it every day and had no idea that this gem was sort of hiding back here." he said. "It's just a chance to get in and peek around and see what the city of St. Paul has been doing with this project for so long, before we turn it over to our partners."

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

View from the stage of the newly revamped Palace Theatre
View from the stage of the newly revamped Palace Theatre in downtown St Paul on Dec. 15. The venue is now designed for a standing audience of up to 2000 on the main floor with seats for another 800 in the balcony.
Euan Kerr | MPR News

First Avenue and Jam Productions of Chicago will book the venue. Crews have removed the seats from the former vaudeville house's ground floor to allow standing and re-upholstered 800 balcony seats. Capacity will be 2,800.

Spencer says the redesign preserved the elegantly worn look of the Palace's walls.

"After a hundred years since it was built, but being really vacant since 1977, there is a beauty and a warmth on these walls and in this room that really shines through," he said.

The open house runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Concerts will begin in the new year including a performance by Regina Spektor booked for March 26.