What exactly was the mechanism that led to the Garrick’s destruction. Did B&K close it because someone offered them a ton of money for the property (or the owner, if the owner was not B&K)? Did B&K decide that they had too many screens for the downtown market at that time? What was the deal?
That is pretty neat. I have never seen a full profile of the Tower before. I wonder if the two towers were clad with building materials, or if they simply mounted signs on them?
As I understand it, from people who went salvaging during the building’s last days, the Capitol was in really bad shape when they finally tore it down. My recollection is that it was torn down around ‘87. So if it closed in the early 70’s, that would mean it sat open for around fifteen years before reaching the end of the road.
I watched them do the retail conversion back in the day. They blew out the wall between the lobby and auditorium main floor. Then they leveled out the main floor grade and built the retail stalls within the walls of the auditorium. Based on stories I have heard from people working in the stores, the comments of the building owner above, and the fact that the City of Evanston was considering renovation of the building as an arts center a few years ago, I think it is safe to say that a large portion of the theatre still exists. If the right project came along it could serve some sort of entertainment purpose again.
However, unless I miss my guess, the owner is thinking about building condos on the site and is monitoring this web site to try and get an idea of what sort of community resistance might rise up against such a project.
Agreed. Take it from one who spent too much time in decrepit and half-demolished buildings when I was younger. I consider myself lucky that I was never crushed by a falling ceiling chunk or pillar. Here is another thought: what if you got accidentally locked inside a room in the bowels of the building? That wouldn’t be so sweet. Seeing the inside of this place is not worth your life.
I’ve never been too keen on putting my email address out there. I would also rather not set up a date and time through this message board. That being said, I’d be happy to talk with you if you let me know how you can be reached.
I never realized there was a large rotunda at the head of the lobby. I always thought the entire lobby consisted of the area at back, enclosing the staircase. The lobby is HUGE!
You know, as it happens I had to drive by the Portage while that Svengoolie thing was going on. Traffic was actually jammed up on Milwaukee Avenue in front of the Portage!
So many vintage Chicago-area theatres looked like that in the 80’s & 90’s. Reminds me of visits I made to the Milford, Adelphi (then known as North Shore Cinema), Logan, 400, Village, etc.
that looks like the final marquee to me. I once saw a photo of the Paradise after closing, and it looked to be sporting the same design with the boxes in the middle that appears in that photo. It is hard to tell without seeing the top, but I think that might be the original vertical sign. The final vertical sign had nothing but panels with lighted letters on them, sort of like the Chicago Granada’s final vertical. It does appear to me that the marque had different attraction boards on it when the theatre closed. Maybe that was done at the same time they put up the final vertical. I wonder if the removal of the original marquee had anything to do with widening Crawford Avenue, as was sometimes the case with old theatres?
What exactly was the mechanism that led to the Garrick’s destruction. Did B&K close it because someone offered them a ton of money for the property (or the owner, if the owner was not B&K)? Did B&K decide that they had too many screens for the downtown market at that time? What was the deal?
Hope I am not stealing your thunder B. But I just discovered this great photo set you have assembled:
View link
I haven’t checked this page in quite some time. It looks great! Fabulous that the project was a success!
That is pretty neat. I have never seen a full profile of the Tower before. I wonder if the two towers were clad with building materials, or if they simply mounted signs on them?
HAARGIS link does not seem to work B.
As I understand it, from people who went salvaging during the building’s last days, the Capitol was in really bad shape when they finally tore it down. My recollection is that it was torn down around ‘87. So if it closed in the early 70’s, that would mean it sat open for around fifteen years before reaching the end of the road.
Jesus Christ. I’m starting to wish they had torn the whole place down. Then maybe you guys would shut up.
What a shame. It seems like it was quite original.
I watched them do the retail conversion back in the day. They blew out the wall between the lobby and auditorium main floor. Then they leveled out the main floor grade and built the retail stalls within the walls of the auditorium. Based on stories I have heard from people working in the stores, the comments of the building owner above, and the fact that the City of Evanston was considering renovation of the building as an arts center a few years ago, I think it is safe to say that a large portion of the theatre still exists. If the right project came along it could serve some sort of entertainment purpose again.
However, unless I miss my guess, the owner is thinking about building condos on the site and is monitoring this web site to try and get an idea of what sort of community resistance might rise up against such a project.
If you have memories of Chicago’s Michigan Theatre, it would be great if you shared them here:
/theaters/3107/
I remember seeing the Michigan in it’s last days and would love to hear about what it was like in better days.
Agreed. Take it from one who spent too much time in decrepit and half-demolished buildings when I was younger. I consider myself lucky that I was never crushed by a falling ceiling chunk or pillar. Here is another thought: what if you got accidentally locked inside a room in the bowels of the building? That wouldn’t be so sweet. Seeing the inside of this place is not worth your life.
Cool. Good news!
Uh oh. www.texastheatre.net does not work. Has the renovation stalled?
I’ve never been too keen on putting my email address out there. I would also rather not set up a date and time through this message board. That being said, I’d be happy to talk with you if you let me know how you can be reached.
They have been talking about this for a long time. It would not surprise me if nothing came to pass.
I never realized there was a large rotunda at the head of the lobby. I always thought the entire lobby consisted of the area at back, enclosing the staircase. The lobby is HUGE!
Look at all those theatres, will you? It certainly was a different time.
You know, as it happens I had to drive by the Portage while that Svengoolie thing was going on. Traffic was actually jammed up on Milwaukee Avenue in front of the Portage!
No doubt.
See that? Exactly what I am talking about. Bravo Dennis. Bravo!
I don’t believe this photo has been posted yet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abbyworld/53198618/
I heard that a process server showed up at the Portage a few weeks ago looking for someone named Paul. But the last name wasn’t Fortini.
It’s good to see that dealing with the City of Chicago and neighborhood leaders is not as impossible of a task as some might have led us to believe.
It is hard to say anything for certain. But it seems the situation in Youngstown may be decaying:
http://www.wkbn.com/news/local/4606141.html
So many vintage Chicago-area theatres looked like that in the 80’s & 90’s. Reminds me of visits I made to the Milford, Adelphi (then known as North Shore Cinema), Logan, 400, Village, etc.
that looks like the final marquee to me. I once saw a photo of the Paradise after closing, and it looked to be sporting the same design with the boxes in the middle that appears in that photo. It is hard to tell without seeing the top, but I think that might be the original vertical sign. The final vertical sign had nothing but panels with lighted letters on them, sort of like the Chicago Granada’s final vertical. It does appear to me that the marque had different attraction boards on it when the theatre closed. Maybe that was done at the same time they put up the final vertical. I wonder if the removal of the original marquee had anything to do with widening Crawford Avenue, as was sometimes the case with old theatres?