Shangri-La Theater

222 N. State Street,
Chicago, IL 60601

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Kohlberg Theaters

Architects: R.H. Weldon

Nearby Theaters

Formerly a restaurant.

The Rhumba Casino, which opened in 1941, was built on the site of the Three Deuces nightclub (which was in business since the mid-1920’s until it was destroyed in a fire in 1940. It gets its name from its address at 222 N. State Street). In 1944, the space became the Polynesian/Far Eastern-themed Shangri-La restaurant.

After the restaurant was closed in 1968, it was remodeled into the Shangri-La Theater in 1969-70. It was operated by Kohlberg Theaters, which was also the last chain to run the nearby Oriental Theatre as well as a number of other theaters and drive-ins around the Midwest. Opened June 26, 1970 with “The Strawberry Statement”, the Shangri-La Theatre began to show pornographic films within a year.

Operating into at least 1979, the building which housed the Shangri-La Theatre was demolished in 1981. Its site was used for a while as a parking lot. Eventually the remainder of the buildings on the entire block, an office building and retail stores, a fire station and a parking garage, were demolished and replaced by a hotel, now the Renaissance Chicago.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 21 comments)

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 27, 2016 at 12:12 am

1973 Tribune photo by Quentin C. Dodt in the link below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBNnW9xqS0K/

rivest266
rivest266 on November 13, 2016 at 1:15 pm

This opened on June 26th, 1970. Grand opening ad in the photo section. Adult programming by the end of 1970 until it closed.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 19, 2017 at 11:50 am

1982 photo added credit John P. Keating Jr., that shows the parking structure continued to stand operational after the demolition of the Shangri-La in 1981. Additional parking was created were it had stood as well. So the subsequent demolition of the parking structure and hotel development happened later.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 16, 2017 at 10:23 am

“Happy Birthday Kup” in a brief glimpse of the Shangri-La marquee at the head end of this 1965 film on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6iHXm_3Jw&feature=share

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 14, 2019 at 10:16 pm

It appears the Shangri-La was still open in mid `79. Just added a photo that shows the State Street Mall nearing completion, and the Shangri-La still seems possibly active.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 6, 2020 at 9:18 am

Photos of Loop, Chicago & Shangri-La Theatres in below link.

https://www.pappaspost.com/vintage-greek-independence-day-parade-photos-chicago/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 21, 2020 at 10:02 am

Flickr link with proper credit for the previously posted 1964 photo. rivest266 incorrectly believed it was 1968, but Marina City pictured opened to tenants in 1963. The square hotel portion on the left opened in 1964. Other aspects of the buildings were completed by 1968. I live in Chicago and ice skated at Marina City in the `60s.

1964 photo credit Jeanette William via Flickr link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/3552239967/in/photostream/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 6, 2021 at 8:03 pm

One not in the gallery, May 1974 photo credit MasMiguel.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/masmiguel/7998302992?fbclid=IwAR2J2YF41bnQ8gD_M6lQMQ46MCzZN5mRASw5qpMI8M_jsySdrrQFGgZNpZ4

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 23, 2021 at 12:05 am

April 3, 1979 photo credit John McCarthy/Chicago History Museum.

https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/digital/collection/chm_pp/id/1169/rec/30?fbclid=IwAR37nGYzU7J1KphQbLcuz01XlJAgBIUsmu8TLx3K0f-k3L0VEub09dRjSNE

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 3, 2022 at 7:45 pm

Pre 1969 photo:

https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/digital/collection/uic_pic/id/30367?fbclid=IwAR0E8yAgonvHQv-aYRnzS_wu0sSYzNKfkoysrnzWsv3uiv9f_lq7_DWvuWA

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