Ramova Theater
3518 S. Halsted Street,
Chicago,
IL
60609
3518 S. Halsted Street,
Chicago,
IL
60609
21 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 66 comments found
From today’s Chicago Tribune
Most photographers don’t care as long as they have credit, but if they complain their photos should be removed.
It wasn’t long ago that I was the junior member of THSA and itching to do something. I’m sure he’ll soon learn how to use that energy more productively. I did a lot of structured research and photography with that energy.
I know you can’t go into specifics, but can you speak generally about the ideas that IIT has publicly presented? It seems to me that the Ramova would be difficult as a 1200+ seat live venue (no stage, no parking, neighborhood not very dense with no nearby el, limited lobby space, large volume and low flat ceiling make for difficult acoustics, etc), but something more like the Biograph (hopefully with more of the original decoration replicated, unlike their generic interior) would be feasible. Sort of like the unrealized Dupage concept or the shrunken Paramount in Boston.
What about adaptive use as plan B? The Ramova could make a fine tribute to the Daley family if it were restored as a library branch, replacing the smaller one up the street, and that would be a good reason for the city to restore and renovate it.
Let me know if you’d rather I contact you privately.
Thank you Broan for agreeing that the additional Facebook pages are confusing. I’m one of the admins of the original Ramova Theater Facebook page (the page is over 2 years old with 2800+ fans). Our page is run by the Save the Ramova group, founded in 2005. We’re cautious about what photos we use, because we don’t have rights to a lot of photos. We have formed a non-profit corp “Friends of South Halsted” and are now fundraising for restoration of this theater into a performance space. This, as you all know will take a lot of time and work, so any good vibes or advice is appreciated.
Friends of the Ramova Theater is run by a fan of the theater. He is a minor who chooses to post willy-nilly information, use photos without credits and say things like “the status of the theater should be renovating, STATUS SHOULD BE RENOVATING”-Ramova 7719 (see in the comments above—renovation has not begun as of today). We have asked him to NOT do this, take down his Facebook page because it’s confusing etc., but he is a teen who’s parent doesn’t believe that he’s crossed any boundaries. You will notice that other Facebook pages have popped up too (same kid or friends of his are admining them too) Ramova 7719 is a member of the Theater Historical Society too.
Please do support the Ramova Theater Facebook page for up to date information about the theater project. Thanks, Maureen of Save the Ramova/Friends of South Halsted Street.
It is very confusing. People shouldn’t have to visit 7 different facebook pages to find the one that actually has information and a relationship to the theater. The other 6 have some nice pictures, but no indication who took them. I don’t see any reason those photos couldn’t have been posted to the main page (or, for that matter, to this Cinematreasures page). Confusing people and diluting supporters doesn’t help the Ramova, and I hope the various creators of these pages can get over whatever inspired them to splinter off and work together for the good of this theater.
Actually Maureen60609 Friends of the Ramova Theater has better pictures than Ramova Theater.
No, Ramova 7719 ‘Friends of the Ramova’ is not the official page of the Ramova. The official Facebook page for the Ramova is: https://www.facebook.com/ramovatheatre
‘Friends of the Ramova’ is a fan’s page. While we appreciate his zeal for the theater, we do not appreciate his misrepresentation of the official message of our advocacy group.
Stop confusing people, Vince.
Why? Has construction work commenced? I don’t see any permit nor have I heard of plans. I’d love for it to be renovating, but status isn’t based on wishful thinking.
Today the Ramova theatre opened at 1 pm with the dessert song happy birthday Ramova!
Like the Ramova theatre, and Ramova theatre on facebook!
Yes, if anyone has original floor plans they would be invaluable for our work with the IIT IPRO project to help save the theater.
Here is a link with info about the IIT group:http://ipro.iit.edu/about (see project #364 under current projects for info.)
Please, share them if you have them for the sake of this old girl!
Thanks Jim I and the rest of the theater loving community.
Maureen
Co-Founder @Save The Ramova! maureen@savetheramovacom
S
Jimindreika we need your help. You said that you obtained some orginal floor plans of the theatre? Do you think you could email them to me, becuase I’m working with Maureen, and IIt and saving the theatre. Do you think you could do that for us? Thanks
Like The Ramova Theatre, and Ramova Theatre. You need to like both for photos, and much much more. Oh and the Theatre is very intact, its just that a water pipe exploded, and when you walk past it it is a terrible smell!
I remember the atmospheric theatre it made me feel as if i were in a garden.
Someone really needs to open this theatre beforeit turns more into dust!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very old school looking!
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Is anything happening with this property?
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This is a 2009 photo.
Here is another 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/qvget4
Here is a 1968 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/pjxjpx
The Ramova still stand—I took pictures of it yesterday.
Here are photos from 1982 and 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/cg9bgj
http://tinyurl.com/dcyz6y
Is the Ramova still standing?
Last I drove by it had a “Property of City Of Chicago” metal sign attached to the front. I think the buildings on either side may have also been gone.
Forgotten Chicago has a circa 1975 photo of the Ramova Theater. Its about halfway down the page.
Tilt your head to the left to view this photo.