Photo Attributions

General Project Information

Architectural Credit:

VJAA Inc. (Lead Design Architect)

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Project Substantial Completion Date: 8/23/2024
Program type(s): Public Assembly - Entertainment/Culture, Public Assembly - Social/Meeting
Total Site Area (gross sq. ft): 4880
Total Building Area (gross sq. ft): 7261
Project substantial completion date: 8/23/2024
Climate zone: 6a
Project site: Previously developed land, Historic structure or district
Project team: Architect: VJAA Inc.
Consultant - Theater: Schuler Shook
Consultant - Acoustic: Kirkegaard (Chicago)
Engineer - Structural: Meyer Borgman Johnson (MBJ)
Engineer - MEP: Michaud Cooley Erickson (MCE)
General Contractor: Flannery Construction

Project Overview:
A community-led and engaged design process transformed a long-abandoned historic theater to support the cultural life of a diverse, dynamic neighborhood. The renewed Victoria Theater building in the Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods, now 825 Arts, supports and makes visible a vibrant arts community. The new facility provides a variety of flexible multi-functional gathering spaces, is environmentally and economically sustainable, and respects the building’s historic elements and the rich palimpsests of past occupations. The reshaped interiors include accessible, multi-functional spaces for music and dance, theater and film, gallery displays, impromptu performance and teaching, and community gatherings.

Submission portfolio