Village Art Theatre
1548-50 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60610
1548-50 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60610
17 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Gumbiner Bros., Kohlberg Theaters, Village Theatres
Architects: Adolph Woerner
Previous Names: Germania Theatre, Parkside Theatre, Gold Coast Theatre, Globe Theatre, Village Theatre
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Apr 2, 2007 — Village Art Theatre closes
- Jun 21, 2006 — Village Theatre Signs New Lease
- Apr 24, 2006 — Is the Three Penny Next?
- Apr 10, 2006 — Village Art Theatre may close
Located on N. Clark Street at Germania Place in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Built as the Germania Theatre and opened July 29, 1916. It changed name to the Parkside Theatre after the US entry into World War I when anti-German sentiment was running high. The theatre later went through a couple of other name changes over the years including the Gold Coast Theatre in January 1934 and the Globe Theatre, a name it retained from December 28, 1962 until at least 1966.
Prior to being divided into four small auditoriums in the early-1990’s, the theatre could seat 900. Little remained of the original interior design, but the façade, despite being almost entirely hidden behind an ugly modern marquee, was still intact and featured red brick and beige terra-cotta highlights.
Long a popular venue for art, foreign and cult films, the Village Art Theatre was closed in March 2007. In April 2018, the Village Art Theatre and neighboring buildings along North Avenue were demolished to make way for construction of the Fifteen Fifty on the Park condominium building. The landmarked (2009) façade of the former theatre will be preserved and will be incorporated in the new structure.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 177 comments)
Received an update from the developer that includes additional photos of progress, showing the facade from above.
https://1550onthepark.com/news/construction-update-fifteen-fifty-going-vertical/?utm_source=1550+Team+List&utm_campaign=1fc26c53d2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_06_02_55_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_240d2358cd-1fc26c53d2-200067361&mc_cid=1fc26c53d2&mc_eid=76b7f82708
Yet another rendering, with an address typo under the image.
https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/2/28/18233421/condo-construction-village-theater-fifteen-fifty-park?fbclid=IwAR0qzbjj0BrmxgebyMaWJDz6lj—cjqgjo1XWvUpnFDdmlp4ZdqZZlmYORk
Sharing this June 2018 link because it has close-ups of some of the stone details.
https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/news-and-events/2018/06/03/chicagos-historic-village-theater-reduced-to-facedectomy-after-auditorium-demolished?fbclid=IwAR1IIsjQszVYuZ2mMhNy5QD1LHLP4UcAW-SmxegKhc2xZ2BeTLJUAng4YmY
Four images of the restored, reassembled facade added. Preservation Chicago was instrumental in getting the developer to relocate the building’s main entrance to the former theatre entrance, from the corner where it was originally planned to be.
Had a few interesting experiences with this theater many years ago when it was still operating. Namely the cashiers who were annoyed at any customer who happened to walk though the door and the ticket tearer who would literally curl up in a ball and nap on a bench between films. Ahh, the stress of working at an empty arthouse on a Sunday afternoon.
Was still the Globe Theatre in a Spring 1964 Old Town guide book.
Was also still The Globe Theatre in 1966 when I worked there, per my comment here, 11/28/2013
Original Flickr link of previously posted photo. Will enlarge within link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeusofhollywood/3374349723?fbclid=IwAR2IxbQAsaO1CfElrMJHhLNLUo8jGbePcT5k-M0OBZKnWhEbfjyp_dnqZ7s
Reopened on December 28th, 1962 as Globe. Grand opening ad posted.
I’m getting a flash from when I worked at the 1966 model Globe…