Heritage Winnipeg is thrilled about the provincial government’s May 5th, 2026 announcement that it is investing $15 million dollars in the revitalization of the historic 1914 Pantages Playhouse Theatre at 180 Market Avenue. Heritage Winnipeg’s Executive Director, Cindy Tugwell, took part in the event, celebrating the revitalization of this important heritage building.

The renovation project is a collaboration between the Performing Arts Consortium, which bought it in 2020, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as its managing tenant, who will bring the space back to life through a performing arts centre. Having been vacant since 2018, this investment will not only revitalize the space itself but also contribute to the revitalization of downtown Winnipeg.

Heritage Winnipeg is extremely relieved and encouraged by this investment as the Pantages Playhouse Theatre. It is a cornerstone of our arts and culture landscape, a landmark and an important piece of Manitoba’s history. We are excited to see how the project unfolds and how it reflects a commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while building for the future.

The Pantages Playhouse Theatre has stood the test of time on the corner of Main Street for over 110 years, serving its community. In 1981 the vaudeville theatre was giving a protective municipal heritage designation, and later in 1995, it was recognized as a National Historic Site by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

Feature Image: The Pantages Playhouse Theatre at 180 Market Avenue in June 2018. Source: Heritage Winnipeg.