Adelphi Theatre

The majority of the original ornamentation did survive behind all that junk and rockwool on the walls. Some of it was water-damaged or partly destroyed, but it was there.

A year since the wrecking ball hit and still nothing but scaffolding and a pit. No progress whatsoever, one more disgrace in the 49th ward.

Per Life’s Too Short “Happens sometimes with construction/development. Project could start tomorrow or it the property might sit for another six months.”:

Circa 1969, Chicago’s Grand Central Station was demolished so that the corner it was on (Wells and Harrison) could be re-developed. In 2006, that land parcel is STILL vacant amongst so much redevelopment. CSX Transportation, the successor to Grand Central Station’s owners (Baltimore & Ohio RR and Chesapeake & Ohio RR) still owns the land.

Actually, the concrete monolith known as RIVER CITY CONDOS (built in 1986 and already dated-looking) was supposed to occupy the whole stretch of Wells Street between Roosevelt and Harrison. Unfortunately, the project stalled for lack of money and only the portion at Polk & Wells was built.

This is an extreme example which proves your comment!

Happens sometimes with construction/development. Project could start tomorrow or it the property might sit for another six months.

There was actually a lien on the property for $400,000 in back child support owed by the Chad Zuric, so maybe that tells you something. You can read more about the issues surrounding the Adelphi on one of many posts on the Morse Hellhole

If you look at the comments under the Beekman Theatre in New York (Manhattan), you’ll find a comment that says we seem to be regressing back to the bad old days of tearing down anything old. He is right. As land values go up, we will continue to see dollar signs flicker in the eyes of the developers. These people see no value in anything cultural or dare I say in individual and humanistic. The Gateway Theatre, even though it is profitable, has been threatned by condo development. In that theatre’s nieghborhood, Jefferson Park, the heart was ripped out of the shopping district for a new CVS.

I’m not opposed to condo development. Look at how Arlington Heights redeveloped its downtown with condos. BUT, they also included a performing arts center and a movie theatre. Culture was taken into consideration. And in my area, the South Loop, as I’ve said elsewhere, it has made sense to put condos into what was formerly a desolate area.

But what I see going on in Chicago, and I’m sure other cities, is the equivalent of what has happened in our suburbs. In the suburbs, people buy houses as “tear-downs” and replace them with “McMansions” that are not at all harmonius with their neighbors and their lot sizes. In the city, these new condo developments are going in with no sense of scale or harmony to the surrounding community. It’s sort of like wedging a Hummer into a parking space for a Ford Focus!

I’m waiting for the day when the developers deem that the land the Art Institute or the Chicago Historical Society sit on to be “too valuable.” Sadly, I say this only half-jokingly.

I salute all the great activists who worked on behalf of the Adelphi Theatre. It’s small consolation, but I believe that public sentiment will continue to mourn its loss.
I was fortunate to be able to see “Citizen Kane” there in the 1970s.

Mr. Krefft,

Thanks for article.

Although I just moved here from Memphis only a year or so ago, I am deeply saddened to have seen the news of the beautiful Adelphi being torn apart and tossed to the curb as scrap. I saw several beautiful theaters in Memphis and Houston meet the same selfish fate.

If it’s possible, can the supporters collect ANYTHING from the site such as bricks, chairs, some of the terra cotta for posterity? The developer could at the very LEAST grab SOMETHING before its SOLD for scrap.

Today I cried.

Rest in piece(s).

Barry Ford

It is very hard to save old theatres these days. As I’ve said before, those that do must have deep pockets, the ability to withstand a few years of losses, and the ability to keep it booked so that it does not become a white elephant. Another problem for places like this is a lack of parking, which has probably hindered the Patio Theatre too. The Adelphi was, however, convenient to the CTA and METRA (I used to pass it everyday on my way to the train).

The loss of this theatre would be easier to take if it (or a portion of it) could have been re-used in the new development*. To a lesser extent, it would even be alright if the building replacing it had some architectural merit. But according to other posters and links, the replacement structure will be a bland cinderblock pile.

*The Hinsdale Theatre is a good example of adaptive re-use. Although it was converted to retail, the re-developers were sympathetic to the original design of the building. Even that is better than demolition.

A sad day in Chicago today. On Friday, January 20th, 2006, the Adelphi Theater, which was built in 1917 around 2pm the demolition crew and its crane has started to rip into the back wall of the theater exposing the inside to the elements. By 4pm the entire back wall was a pile of rubble. Today, the wrecking crew ripped into the plaster and screen and tossed it to the corner of Estes and Clark. The condo developer has won his case to demolish one of the last remaining historic buildings in Rogers Park to install a 5 story monster condo building to over shadow Clark street that has no historic value and is just plain, boring cinderblock. It’s a damn shame how money is more important than saving something historic. I have posted a story in the demolition section of this site. Please visit the citizens for the Adelphi Theater site for more pictures and articles of the theater. http://www.adelphitheater.org

I am not in the real estate business. But I don’t understand how it is profitable to continue building these complexes when there are already so many out there. Aren’t we on our way to a glut of unoccupied condominiums similar to the glut of unoccupied office space the Chicago area had in the 80’s? Interest rates are still pretty low, so I’m guessing the financing is cheap. But is it the correct long-term plan? And what are we doing to our unique & diverse communities by dropping these things on every corner?

Can someone explain the logic that underlies this business pattern? That is a serious quesion…not a statement made for effect. Can someone explain this to me?

A Petition:

Please consider the Citizens of Chicago when wieghing the options for the re-zoning of the 7070-78 N. Clark Street property, known as the Adelphi Theater. The Adelphi Theater is an un-official landmark of Rogers Park, and the last remaining theater standing from the 1910 era. It is best know for it’s former owner, Civic Leader Ludwig Sussman, and as the artist studio of the recently departed world famous Rogers Park artist Pachard. Where are we going to take our children for culture in Rogers Park when all of the theaters have been raised, .. a Dominicks food store?, and condo? Food for thought..

message :

In our quest to show opposition to a proposed re-zoning of the corner property located on 7070-7078 N. Clark St, we have met with many potential investors who are showing a great interest in purchasing the property from developer Chad Zuric, with the intent of re-opening the theater as a revenue-generating movie theater/music venue and community center. If the zoning changes for the 7070-78 Clark St. property, these plans cannot be accomplished.

This is a petition to all 50 Aldermen of every ward within the City of Chicago, the City Council of Chicago.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose a re-zoning of the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed development of residential units on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed raising of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, support the proposed Grand Re-Opening of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.

Thank you,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

Name :
Current Address:

for everyone else who agrees in the room :

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Please copy and paste, or forward this e-mail to the following addresses.

Alderman Manuel Flores
Alderman Madeline Haithcock
Alderman Dorothy J. Tillman
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston
Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle
Alderman William M. Beavers
Alderman Todd H. Stroger
Alderman Anthony Beale
Alderman John Pope
Alderman James A. Balcer
Alderman George A. Cardenas
Alderman Frank J. Olivo
Alderman Edward M. Burke
Alderman Theodore Thomas
Alderman Shirley A. Coleman
Alderman Latasha R. Thomas
Alderman Thomas W. Murphy
Alderman Virginia A. Rugai
Alderman Arenda Troutman
Alderman Howard Brookins Jr.
Alderman Ricardo Munoz
Alderman Michael Zalewski
Alderman Michael D. Chandler
Alderman Daniel Solis
Alderman Billy Ocasio
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.
Alderman Ed Smith
Alderman Isaac Carothers
Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras
Alderman Ray Suarez
Alderman Theodore Matlak
Alderman Richard F. Mell
Alderman Carrie Austin
Alderman Rey Colon
Alderman William J.P. Banks
Alderman Emma Mitts
Alderman Thomas R. Allen
Alderman Margaret Laurino
Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor
Alderman Brian G. Doherty
Alderman Burton F. Natarus
Alderman Vi Daley
Alderman Thomas M. Tunney
Alderman Patrick J. Levar
Alderman Helen Shiller
Alderman Eugene C. Schulter
Alderman Mary Ann Smith
Alderman Joseph A. Moore
Alderman Bernard L. Stone

Thank you, the time you have taken to do this, makes all the difference to show the City Council of Chicago how we feel about the Adelphi Theater at 7070-78 N. Clark Street.

• Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

e-mail:

SAVE THE ADELPHI!!!