Article content

Montreal has found a buyer for the Snowdon Theatre, a once-stylish venue that became a sad relic — a magnet for vandals and arsonists.

The sale — for $1.6 million, $200,000 less than the city paid for it in 2004 — is conditional on the new owner preserving the historic facade of the building, on Décarie Blvd., just north of Queen-Mary Rd. The interior, however, has been too badly damaged by a 2016 fire to be salvaged, the city said.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or After years of neglect, Montreal's iconic Snowdon Theatre is sold Back to video

Known for its art-deco design, elegant interior and distinctive sign over Décarie Blvd., the landmark opened in 1937, hailed in one newspaper at the time as “the first completely air-conditioned theatre in Canada.” It became famous for presenting British films, with patrons reserving seats in advance.

By the time it closed in 1982, business had dwindled. The manager at the time complained “kids would rather see a picture downtown,” where “they can get together after the show for a soft drink, play the video games in the arcades on Ste-Catherine St.”