Varscona Theatre In Edmonton February 1959 Poster

The Varscona Theatre was located on the southwest corner of Whyte Avenue and 109 Street. Designed by Rule, Wynn and Rule, the theatre was built in competition with the Garneau Theatre, also in the Moderne style. The Varscona owner, Suburban Theatres, requested the architects to build a theatre that would surpass the Moderne design of the Garneau, but also open sooner. Rule, Wynn and Rule responded with a building that exemplified the Moderne style. Key features included the rounded marquee with speed lines above the entrance, the a multi-fin tower over the marquee that doubled as the air conditioning intake, the flat roof, white stucco finish, and prominent circular window on the front façade.

The Varscona opened on July 7, 1940 and was demolished in May, 1987.