Bessesen Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beatrice Bessesen Theater Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Bessessen Building in 2017
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 Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Albert Lea, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Part of | Albert Lea Commercial Historic District (ID03001337) |
| Designated CP | December 29, 2003 |
The Historic Bessesen Building is a special place in Albert Lea, Minnesota. It's also known as the B.B. Theater and Conservatory of Music and the Rivoli Theater. This building has been used for many different things over the years, from showing operas to movies, and even as a shopping mall. Today, it's becoming a center for arts and wellness.
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What is the Bessesen Building?
The Bessesen Building is a historic landmark located at 224 South Broadway in Albert Lea. It was built a long time ago, in 1916. This building is important because it has a rich history and beautiful architecture. It has served both businesses and people living there.
A Grand Beginning: The Opera House
The building started its life as the Bessesen Opera House in 1916. It was designed by architects Cederberg and Van Kirk from St. Paul. They created a grand space with 740 seats. It was meant to be a fancy opera palace.
Designed for a Star
The opera house was built to show off the amazing talent of Beatrice Gjertsen Bessesen. She was a famous opera singer, known as a prima donna, which means a leading female singer in an opera.
The outside of the building looks like a French Renaissance style. This means it has a classic, elegant look. Inside, on the second and third floors, there are apartments with cool design styles. You can see elements of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau. These styles include special features like terra cotta fireplaces, a beautiful art glass skylight, and colorful stained glass windows.
From Opera to Movies: The Rivoli Theater
After its time as an opera house, the building changed. From 1922 to 1975, it became The Rivoli motion picture theater. This means it showed movies instead of live performances. Later, in 1977, it changed again and became the Rivoli Mini-Mall, a small shopping center.
A New Chapter: Arts and Wellness Center
Today, the Bessesen Building is getting a new life. It is being turned into a regional arts and wellness center. This means it will be a place where people can enjoy art and focus on their well-being. It is also the home of the Freeborn County Arts Initiative.
Helping to Restore History
Over the years, some parts of the building have changed. The first floor, especially, needs a lot of care. The building needs major restoration work to bring back its original beauty. A group called the "Restore the Building Foundation" has been created to help with this important work.
