Very intriguing news! Wolkowicz is the man behind Silent Film Chicago, and one of the best theater organists in the area, under a psuedonym. http://lakeclaremontpress.blogspot.com/ includes another blurb I just found on this project. I’m amazed this has kept so quiet! He must be planning to reinstall an organ, I wonder which? My bet would be on the Gateway or Patio, I suppose. I don’t know if he reads this page, but if he does, i’d certainly like to volunteer any help I can give. My contact information is in my profile.
A list of building permits in the Chicago Tribune, July 23, 1919 p22 lists W.W. Ahlschlager, famed future architect of the Roxy, as the architect of the theater to be erected on the Chicago United site.
The Crown was built by W.A. Wieboldt of department store fame. Architect was Robert C. Berlin, associated with William Bender and John Eberson. This information, and a rendering, appears in the July 18, 1909 Chicago Tribune, page I17.
The Music Box was originally announced with the name “New Blaine” in the August 30, 1928 Tribune on p19. A rendering appeared in the October 28 edition on page B4. In both articles, Louis I. Simon (not A) and Edward Steinborn are named as architects. Steinborn was likely the engineer. Louis I. Simon is also named elsewhere as architect of several other Chicago buildings, so I think this clears up the confusion with Louis A. Simon, who was a major government architect. This was further confirmed in an August 14, 1983 article when Louis I. Simon’s son wrote in to inform that his father had built it.
This was originally a Telenews theatre and was announced under the Telenews name when the building was remodeled to accomodate it in 1939. Dubin & Dubin were architects.
Interior decoration was done by important sculptor and designer Alfonso Iannelli, who also worked on the Pickwick, Catlow, Midway Gardens, Prudential building, etc.
So, has this condo plan ever been verified? Because it certainly looks like they’re putting money into the building from their october newsletter. Also their theater page mentions “The Copernicus Foundation is in he midst of a fund raising effort to build a new theatrical stage and renovate the Mitchell Kobelinski Theatre. You can be a major contributor to this effort. ”
Also, here is a photo of the top of the lobby ballroom.
“I often wondered how your personalities Dupersupporter, dupage dude, the murph and restorationrita were able to switch back and forth so much. My son showed me how.” – True Class
I don’t think this is in fact possible; however, I can’t test it because I only have one identity! How do you explain this? Are YOU the one with multiple identities?
I’ll try to take a picture this week. In addition to the pediment removal, some of the terra cotta on the corners seems to have been covered in a cement or stucco to keep it from falling. Other sections are being bagged where damaged terra cotta is removed. It’s a very, very sad sight to see, although it’s perhaps better for the long term. I’m just concerned that it might be following the Sutton and other such new york theatres that have lost landmark status due to facade alterations. The recent uptown advisor emails have included the following footnote.
The ABCs of ‘What is going on with the UPTOWN’
Reportedly, the current status of the UPTOWN THEATRE is, in brief:
A. The work, fences, scaffolding and barricades that you see today are part of the continuing exterior stabilization effort. In order to begin remedying the building’s deferred maintenance, many bricks and pieces of ornamental terra cotta must be removed and stored for safekeeping. Where parts of the building’s facade are removed, the area is strapped and bagged to hold it in place — and covered to weatherproof it.
B. The work is being done by an engineering firm and a masonry contractor. The project is being overseen by local officials, a circuit court judge and the court-appointed receiver.
C. The privately owned UPTOWN THEATRE building remains closed, vacant, secure and in serious need of significant private investment for it to be renovated as an entertainment venue. No definitive plan or project for the building has been announced. The search for a viable entertainment prospect continues. Several state and local incentives are availableâ€"including city tax-increment financingâ€"for a feasible plan that meets civic criteria and expectations for the multi-venued Uptown Square National Register Historic District. Serious inquiries (only) should be directed to local officials, including the alderman, the city planning department, and UPCORP.
Very intriguing news! Wolkowicz is the man behind Silent Film Chicago, and one of the best theater organists in the area, under a psuedonym. http://lakeclaremontpress.blogspot.com/ includes another blurb I just found on this project. I’m amazed this has kept so quiet! He must be planning to reinstall an organ, I wonder which? My bet would be on the Gateway or Patio, I suppose. I don’t know if he reads this page, but if he does, i’d certainly like to volunteer any help I can give. My contact information is in my profile.
*1914
The Rogers was open as early as 1916, according to ads
A list of building permits in the Chicago Tribune, July 23, 1919 p22 lists W.W. Ahlschlager, famed future architect of the Roxy, as the architect of the theater to be erected on the Chicago United site.
The Crown was built by W.A. Wieboldt of department store fame. Architect was Robert C. Berlin, associated with William Bender and John Eberson. This information, and a rendering, appears in the July 18, 1909 Chicago Tribune, page I17.
The Music Box was originally announced with the name “New Blaine” in the August 30, 1928 Tribune on p19. A rendering appeared in the October 28 edition on page B4. In both articles, Louis I. Simon (not A) and Edward Steinborn are named as architects. Steinborn was likely the engineer. Louis I. Simon is also named elsewhere as architect of several other Chicago buildings, so I think this clears up the confusion with Louis A. Simon, who was a major government architect. This was further confirmed in an August 14, 1983 article when Louis I. Simon’s son wrote in to inform that his father had built it.
Henry L. Newhouse was announced as architect in the Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1919, pE23
Architect was announced as Henry L. Newhouse in Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1918 p16
Architect was Grossman & Proskauer. See rendering, Chicago Tribune, January 25, 1914 p11
Architect E.P. Rupert. See Chicago Tribune, December 12, 1925 p28
A May 30, 1926 Rendering and Caption in the Chicago Tribune identifies R.G. Wolff as the Architect for the yet-unnamed Patio.
Rapp & Rapp moved their offices to the State-Lake building as of 1918.
The Loop is presently being demolished. Also, during the 1950s it briefly reverted to the Telenews name and format before returning to the Loop name.
This was originally a Telenews theatre and was announced under the Telenews name when the building was remodeled to accomodate it in 1939. Dubin & Dubin were architects.
Huh?
There was apparently an early mural of Alfonso Iannelli’s here. Chicago Tribune, 4/7/1916 p20
Interior decoration was done by important sculptor and designer Alfonso Iannelli, who also worked on the Pickwick, Catlow, Midway Gardens, Prudential building, etc.
What a lovely, well designed site. It’s better than the nothing they had for the last year or so, I guess.
View link oops…
So, has this condo plan ever been verified? Because it certainly looks like they’re putting money into the building from their october newsletter. Also their theater page mentions “The Copernicus Foundation is in he midst of a fund raising effort to build a new theatrical stage and renovate the Mitchell Kobelinski Theatre. You can be a major contributor to this effort. ”
Also, here is a photo of the top of the lobby ballroom.
View link Here’s a CATOE article on the organ.
More at http://www.catoe.org/Uptown.html
Theatre historical society would probably be interested.
The Loew’s State. /theaters/1938_0_2_0_C/
“I often wondered how your personalities Dupersupporter, dupage dude, the murph and restorationrita were able to switch back and forth so much. My son showed me how.” – True Class
I don’t think this is in fact possible; however, I can’t test it because I only have one identity! How do you explain this? Are YOU the one with multiple identities?
I’ll try to take a picture this week. In addition to the pediment removal, some of the terra cotta on the corners seems to have been covered in a cement or stucco to keep it from falling. Other sections are being bagged where damaged terra cotta is removed. It’s a very, very sad sight to see, although it’s perhaps better for the long term. I’m just concerned that it might be following the Sutton and other such new york theatres that have lost landmark status due to facade alterations. The recent uptown advisor emails have included the following footnote.
The ABCs of ‘What is going on with the UPTOWN’
Reportedly, the current status of the UPTOWN THEATRE is, in brief:
A. The work, fences, scaffolding and barricades that you see today are part of the continuing exterior stabilization effort. In order to begin remedying the building’s deferred maintenance, many bricks and pieces of ornamental terra cotta must be removed and stored for safekeeping. Where parts of the building’s facade are removed, the area is strapped and bagged to hold it in place — and covered to weatherproof it.
B. The work is being done by an engineering firm and a masonry contractor. The project is being overseen by local officials, a circuit court judge and the court-appointed receiver.
C. The privately owned UPTOWN THEATRE building remains closed, vacant, secure and in serious need of significant private investment for it to be renovated as an entertainment venue. No definitive plan or project for the building has been announced. The search for a viable entertainment prospect continues. Several state and local incentives are availableâ€"including city tax-increment financingâ€"for a feasible plan that meets civic criteria and expectations for the multi-venued Uptown Square National Register Historic District. Serious inquiries (only) should be directed to local officials, including the alderman, the city planning department, and UPCORP.