Further study reveals that the Lawndale opened in 1913. It appears that Blass removed the original auditorium or rebuilt it to be longer. The theater’s original architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
The Oakley Theater building was located at 2320-2328 W Chicago, with the theater entrance proper at 2324. The Ukranian Institute sits on the site; the National Food Store must have occupied the theater footprint as well as several parcels to the East (a former car dealer), which accounts for why Burger King’s address is 2344.
Although the merger has been ongoing since April, Lasalle Bank is now officially part of Bank of America and will soon be rebranded accordingly; presumably, the theater will follow suit. Let’s all hope it becomes the Bank of America Majestic Theatre.
The convention (which I dislike) is generally to list the most recent operating name with former names listed under aliases. So it should actually be listed as Grand Cinemas.
Further study reveals that the Lawndale opened in 1913. It appears that Blass removed the original auditorium or rebuilt it to be longer. The theater’s original architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
Architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
Architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
Some nice photos and story HERE
Architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
That’s sort of sad…
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
They really didn’t look alike on the outside, though. Clearly the same architects but hardly standard.
The Oakley Theater building was located at 2320-2328 W Chicago, with the theater entrance proper at 2324. The Ukranian Institute sits on the site; the National Food Store must have occupied the theater footprint as well as several parcels to the East (a former car dealer), which accounts for why Burger King’s address is 2344.
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Although the merger has been ongoing since April, Lasalle Bank is now officially part of Bank of America and will soon be rebranded accordingly; presumably, the theater will follow suit. Let’s all hope it becomes the Bank of America Majestic Theatre.
I don’t know that it was a standardized design- I don’t think I’ve seen any other freestanding 2 story C-Os. The interior was mostly standard though.
Don’t forget the 600 N Michigan was another C-O built to a different design, although it’s been extensively remodeled since.
The convention (which I dislike) is generally to list the most recent operating name with former names listed under aliases. So it should actually be listed as Grand Cinemas.
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Well, the front of the balcony was destroyed, but other damage is fairly minor.
Yes.
To clarify: the partitions were removed so that the Symphony could do acoustic tests, which apparently did show that the acoustics were quite good.
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE. It shows the theater both before and after installation of the mural.
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE