The modern-day NorShor traces its history back to 1910, when it began as the Orpheum Theatre, located on the former site of the Grand Opera House.
In June 2010, the Duluth Economic Development Authority purchased the NorShor,[2] along with the adjacent Temple Opera buildings for a combined total of $2.6 million.
[3] Although the city has sometimes been criticized for this move, the decision has been defended by Duluth's Mayor (at the time), Don Ness, who cited an improvement in the building's neighborhood, with the elimination of the strip club.
[3] Although this was only a part of the $22.3 million needed for the complete overall renovation, it was a critical first step that would help ensure future funding sources come through.
In a June 8, 2014, article in the Duluth News Tribune, Ness was quoted as saying, "If we hadn't taken ownership of the building ... we would have continued to have a strip club there with gang activity and prostitution and drug dealing.
And helping to ensure the successful future of the NorShore, the city identified the Duluth Playhouse as the facility's manager and operator, once the reconstruction would be complete.
Restorations included an extension of the stage, making the building handicap accessible, and adding modern state-of-the-art theatre equipment.