Avalon Theatre
1645 E. 79th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60649
1645 E. 79th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60649
16 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 74 comments found
This has been listed on and off for months. The update reflects that the price has been cut from $500k to $100k(!) Very sad. Property records indicate the seller is the FDIC. I haven’t been in the theater since the late 80s just after its restoration by the Gardner family, but back then it was in spectacular condition. This is a close second to the Loew’s Paradise as my favorite theater.
It’s up for sale Not sure if the listing was updated or first posted yesterday.
http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17988180/1645-55-East-79th-Street-Chicago-IL/
Shots of five endangered Chicago palaces—including this one—and a Roger Ebert essay. Chicago Magazine
The projection booth was empty and not very memorable. I’ll check and see if I have any images of it though.
Your photos are excellent. I wish there was a close-up of the projection booth, which I’ve never seen a really good view of.
I recently photographed the Avalon/New Regal Theatre check out some photos at After the Final Curtain
Pictured at bottom left in this 1929 trade article: Boxoffice
August 28th, 1927 grand opening is in the photo section.
From the Sun-Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/12025951-418/ex-cop-charged-with-money-laundering-linked-to-regal-theater-rehab.html
I have looked into the theatre, it is beautiful! However there are about a half a dozen major reasons that hold me back. The interior of this theatre is amazing, and it is a work of art.
FDIC.
THE BANK OWNS THE THEATRE
The FDIC owns the theater.
From the front page of today’s Chicago Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-police-chief-lawsuit-20110905,0,4481922,full.story
The FDIC (which took over the bank which held the mortgage on the Regal/Avalon) may have acquired the theater in a foreclosure sale earlier this summer. If anyone knows for sure, please post!
Here is a 1955 photo
Recently named to the list of the most endangered historical sites in Illinois: View link.
They are in bankruptcy again.
Lived in Chatham in the early 1950’s and remember taking the 79th St bus to the Avalon theater. Many great memories.
View link
On The Watch List
http://www.landmarks.org/chicago_watch_2004_6.htm
View link – Facing foreclosure
1973 Photo
1973 Close-up
1983 Photo
I guess my sarcasm wasn’t apparent.
That’s not at all surprising, Scott.
Ohhhhhhh! Scary, indeed!
It’s horrible that this sort of stuff still goes on, in a supposedly modernized and civilized society.