This is the most recent article, from June. Haven’t heard a word about it since then. If someone else paid for it, I’m sure he’d let it be restored. But he also wouldn’t sign the forms to put it on the National Register of Historic Places that would allow it to qualify for tax credits and other incentives. I have no ill will towards the owner, and have always had a good rapport with him, but I’m not confident it will be substantially rehabilitated as long as he owns it.
The two parties came to an impasse over rental arrangements and the owner was not interested in relinquishing any control. With nothing to raise money for – obviously nobody was interested in giving grants to an owner who would not commit – the society then changed its name to Revitalize Des Plaines! with a focus on advocating overall downtown rehabilitation and preservation. Currently it operates as a blog and facebook page at www.revitalizedesplaines.org Since that time, Alderman Mark Walsten’s Deep Green Committee has run a film series and a Vaudeville Revival series was held. Currently the theater is used sporadically for special events and occasional screenings.
It’s also an issue of being able to monitor it. The Village is a good illustration of that – who knew it was gutted? Or how much original fabric remained? How would you say what was protected and make sure it was?
I’m sorry to report that I did take a number of photos inside the Dale a couple years ago, but lost them to a hard drive crash. It was in pretty poor shape but the upper lobby was fairly intact, sealed off since the 30s, the proscenium was there, and parts of the walls and ceilings in the auditorium. The worst section was the hall to the auditorium, which was down to bare brick.
Architects were Betts & Holcomb
Here’s a picture of the “Little Chicago” screening room. The film was, of course, 101 Dalmatians. View link
View link This blog post of mine should have pretty much whatever you want.
Work has begun to return the Des Plaines Theatre to a single screen.
Certainly not – as a matter of fact, View link
only if someone buys it
It is used on a rental basis.
The McVickers was a different theatre that did show Cinerama, including How The West Was Won
Architect was Christopher Chamales
via David Zornig: View link
Here is a nice photo of the Sears store at Six Corners from the 60s.
View link
View link
I don’t think Classic wants to deal with the hassles of Chicago government.
View link More on the closing
The stained glass has reappeared and the building has now been reused as SmallBar. http://www.thesmallbar.com/fullerton/
http://www.catoe.org/chicago.html
They aren’t all working, last time I saw them lit.
in 1954 the alba became one of the first bowling alleys in chicago to go automatic.
This is the most recent article, from June. Haven’t heard a word about it since then. If someone else paid for it, I’m sure he’d let it be restored. But he also wouldn’t sign the forms to put it on the National Register of Historic Places that would allow it to qualify for tax credits and other incentives. I have no ill will towards the owner, and have always had a good rapport with him, but I’m not confident it will be substantially rehabilitated as long as he owns it.
The two parties came to an impasse over rental arrangements and the owner was not interested in relinquishing any control. With nothing to raise money for – obviously nobody was interested in giving grants to an owner who would not commit – the society then changed its name to Revitalize Des Plaines! with a focus on advocating overall downtown rehabilitation and preservation. Currently it operates as a blog and facebook page at www.revitalizedesplaines.org Since that time, Alderman Mark Walsten’s Deep Green Committee has run a film series and a Vaudeville Revival series was held. Currently the theater is used sporadically for special events and occasional screenings.
It was divided in 1987. The theater was well-maintained through about 1999. Spotty since then.
If you need info on anything at all relating to Des Plaines, I’m the guy to talk to. Click my name for an email address.
It was installed in 1925 and is estimated to be about 16 ranks. It was removed and sold at a tax sale in the mid-1930s. Its whereabouts are unknown.
It’s also an issue of being able to monitor it. The Village is a good illustration of that – who knew it was gutted? Or how much original fabric remained? How would you say what was protected and make sure it was?
Across the country, interior landmark protection is extremely rare.
I’m sorry to report that I did take a number of photos inside the Dale a couple years ago, but lost them to a hard drive crash. It was in pretty poor shape but the upper lobby was fairly intact, sealed off since the 30s, the proscenium was there, and parts of the walls and ceilings in the auditorium. The worst section was the hall to the auditorium, which was down to bare brick.