From the photos I have seen, the State looks like it is in far better condition than the Paramount. If that is in fact the case, why is there more focus on it?
Hey Urban Remains: I think you should cool it a little. I can understand why you might be out of joint. But threatening legal action and taking multiple shots at SNWEB only makes you look like a jerk in my eyes, and I would guess the eyes of other users. SNWEB is a dedicated preservationist who has volunteered his time to keep this web site running, among other things. I don’t like to see you drag his name through the mud. In fact, I imagine he could throw the same sort of law suit at you that you are discussing after this rash of posts. If SNWEB is missing some information here, why don’t you engage him in a level-headed conversation. This way you can show him, and the rest of us, where you are coming from.
I think it would have been nice if they had saved the exterior. But there was not much else to be salvaged. The roof had gaping holes in it, and I think that had been the case for many years.
I don’t know the recent history of the Village. But my guess is that it is not odd at all. A cinema that draws a crowd is not much in the eyes of a property owner when compared with a giant check from a real estate deal.
The funny thing is that there used to be a seven or eight story parking garage at Broadway & Lawrence, which filled right up on show nights. For some reason they tore it down and never built another one.
This does not sound like the most viable of situations.
From the photos I have seen, the State looks like it is in far better condition than the Paramount. If that is in fact the case, why is there more focus on it?
Here is another example of a treatment similar to that employed at Evanston’s Varsity Theatre when it was converted to retail:
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The X 1 & 2…
LOL
That does scream 70’s doesn’t it?
Is the Chicago Movie Palaces book you speak of Joe Ducibella’s project?
<crickets chirping>
OK: So I am guessing one of you guys must know the answer to this mystery:
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I remember seeing this building while it was still running. But I will never remember the name.
Hey Urban Remains: I think you should cool it a little. I can understand why you might be out of joint. But threatening legal action and taking multiple shots at SNWEB only makes you look like a jerk in my eyes, and I would guess the eyes of other users. SNWEB is a dedicated preservationist who has volunteered his time to keep this web site running, among other things. I don’t like to see you drag his name through the mud. In fact, I imagine he could throw the same sort of law suit at you that you are discussing after this rash of posts. If SNWEB is missing some information here, why don’t you engage him in a level-headed conversation. This way you can show him, and the rest of us, where you are coming from.
Those are really neat. Hard to imagine the place was so severely decayed by the time they took it down from looking at them.
If you are right about this it is truly a pitiful course of action SNWEB. I very much agree wtih you.
Easy Warren. Words like absurd are pretty harsh.
I think it would have been nice if they had saved the exterior. But there was not much else to be salvaged. The roof had gaping holes in it, and I think that had been the case for many years.
Nice exterior design.
Looked pretty beat up the last time I saw it about six years ago. Still looked like the church was there.
What was going on when those photos were taken?
I don’t know the recent history of the Village. But my guess is that it is not odd at all. A cinema that draws a crowd is not much in the eyes of a property owner when compared with a giant check from a real estate deal.
I seem to recall that the show where the floor collapsed was a band called “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”.
I was amazed when they restored the Palace. During the 90’s I thought for sure that I would walk by one day to find a crew gutting it for offices.
It sure seems to be making a go of things, which is fabulous to see.
As I understand it the Texas was in pretty good shape when they demolished it. Can anyone speak to that?
Thanks for the photos billymac. They bring back memories.
The Empire on 42nd Street wasn’t bad.
Wow, that is a well-composed building design.
I agree.
So they are putting stadium seating in? That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.
So there is no organ installation these days?
The funny thing is that there used to be a seven or eight story parking garage at Broadway & Lawrence, which filled right up on show nights. For some reason they tore it down and never built another one.