Thalia Hall

Chicago, IL

1807 S. Allport Street

, Chicago, IL 60608 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Romanesque Revival

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	700
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Frederick E. Faber, William Pagels
Firm:	Unknown

One of the centerpieces of the 18th Street commercial corridor of Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, the Thalia Hall opened in 1892. It was built just before the Columbian Exposition, and designed in graceful Romanesque Revival style, including a heavily ornamented terra-cotta facade, with storefronts along the ground floor at Allport and 18th Streets, as well as apartments on the upper floors. The building was designed by Frederick E. Faber and William Pagels.

Originally a meeting hall for the mostly-Bohemian original populace of the Pilsen neighborhood (named for a large Czech city), the Thalia later became a venue for live entertainment, then, finally, a movie house.

Though the theater has been closed for decades, the Thalia Hall remains relatively intact, and would make a wonderful community center or performing arts venue for the newly-resurgent Pilsen neighborhood, which is the heart of Chicago's Latino community.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

Hello, Theatre Aficionados!

I am part of the group that has acquired Thalia Hall. We are currently finalising plans for restoration and we hope to begin work in February 2004! If you would like to make a donation to the non-profit organisation based in the theatre, please visit www.citymuse.com If you are interested in purchasing a residential unit adjacent, please visit www.thaliahall.com More details to follow!
Katrina Walker

posted by Katwalk on Jan 11, 2004 at 6:26pm

The correct address for the theatre is 1807 S Allport; the listed address refers to the storefronts and building. Since the above links are no longer active, here are some additional ones.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/T/ThaliaHall.html
http://ecuip.lib.uchicago.edu/diglib/social/cityofneighborhoods/lws/con_lws-history-06.html
http://www.beautiarch.com/thalia.htm
http://www.ikonosdesign.com/Page.html
http://www.moderealty.com/thaliahall/
http://www.timarroyo.com/gallery/misc/hall.html
http://www.timarroyo.com/gallery/misc/theater.html

posted by BWChicago on Mar 26, 2005 at 1:48pm

I had forgotten about this place! The realty link above says the building has been gutted. I wonder exactly what that means.

posted by Life's too short on Jul 13, 2006 at 6:52am

Recent photos of this theatre are HERE

posted by BWChicago on Oct 8, 2007 at 10:10pm

Ristorante al Teatro is opening sometime this month in the Thalia building. I believe that the restaurant is located in the former storefronts of the building along 18th Street, not in the auditorium space. I wonder if the hall is going to be restored as well. There are also apartments in the former office spaces for the Bohemian groups that built the structure on the upper levels of Thalia Hall.

posted by Bryan Krefft on Mar 2, 2009 at 2:04pm

The restaurant is open.

posted by mfs3757 on Nov 7, 2009 at 8:18pm

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