Drove by yesterday, the Admiral has re-done its entrance in a more sympathetic way – more of the terra cotta is now exposed and a lot of that EFIS stucco is gone.
This looks like a pretty small theater from the street, but satellite view shows that it telescopes as it goes back. Seating capacity was 769 in 1916, not 400.
A blown opportunity to spend several times as much for a few hundred more seats to fill, maybe (and remember, there are no seats in place). An opportunity to get foreclosed. Of course, is it even an opportunity if the owners of the Belpark had no interest in selling, and the operators of the Portage did not have funds to buy, but rent? Easy to play 20/20 hindsight, but I have actually been through the Belpark fairly recently. Don’t forget the Portage has Sears parking. It’s a good opportunity for the church, which should have better access to financing, and perhaps they’ll end up making the facility available for other events, assuming they’re able to make the deal happen.
If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the Golden Tiara bingo hall. I think walking around inside will help you understand how it’s different from the Portage.
J.E.O. Pridmore should be listed as architect. The interior somewhat resembled Pridmore’s Vic Theatre.
Nope
David Zornig found this photo showing the Hoyburn in the distance
http://chicagopast.com/post/39056373405
Drove by yesterday, the Admiral has re-done its entrance in a more sympathetic way – more of the terra cotta is now exposed and a lot of that EFIS stucco is gone.
Here is a 1966 view.
Here is a 1960 photo
Here is a 1956 photo of the Brighton
Here is a 1921 view of the Stratford and Englewood.
Here is a 1921 view of the Stratford and Englewood.
Here is a great picture showing the wonderful detail of the second marquee.
http://calumet412.tumblr.com/post/34043220411/the-will-rogers-theater-5641-w-belmont-1938
Pearselives is correct, many pay zones are free after a certain time of night.
http://chicagopast.com/post/32881141467 A bigger version of the image in Bryan’s 2003 post
Here is a nice photo prior to demolition
When I clicked it, it didn’t work, but displayed after I refreshed it.
Visible to the edge of this image: http://chicagopast.com/post/32402435741
http://chicagopast.com/post/31921346618 Here is a larger version of the photo posted in 2005
The photos tab – http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/302/photos/52019
Added a picture of the original seats. Yes I believe they were replaced in 1948.
Here is a 1949 picture featuring the original teaser curtain.
This looks like a pretty small theater from the street, but satellite view shows that it telescopes as it goes back. Seating capacity was 769 in 1916, not 400.
This appears to be after the theater was removed
Link is broken, but I assume that’s the same image I put in the photo section last week.
A blown opportunity to spend several times as much for a few hundred more seats to fill, maybe (and remember, there are no seats in place). An opportunity to get foreclosed. Of course, is it even an opportunity if the owners of the Belpark had no interest in selling, and the operators of the Portage did not have funds to buy, but rent? Easy to play 20/20 hindsight, but I have actually been through the Belpark fairly recently. Don’t forget the Portage has Sears parking. It’s a good opportunity for the church, which should have better access to financing, and perhaps they’ll end up making the facility available for other events, assuming they’re able to make the deal happen.
If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the Golden Tiara bingo hall. I think walking around inside will help you understand how it’s different from the Portage.