“I am aware that it looks like the lights have been out on the Double Door reopening for too long.
But, behind the scenes, we have been hard at work. As most of you know, the new Double Door’s home is in the Wilson Theater building.
It was built in 1909 and is designated as a historical building. Consequently, our project was under review by the City’s Landmark’s Division for almost 8 months.
Finally and gratefully, Landmarks gave us the thumbs up on our design. We submitted our full set of blueprints to the building department almost 6 months ago and are waiting for our construction permits.
We have been told that this could be anytime now. Hang in there and don’t loose faith ….. we haven’t.
In fact, Pete and I have decided to Zen this whole thing: “It happens when it happens.” (words to live by).
But more importantly, keep an eye on us … we have some pre-opening fun stuff in the works. Cheers and have happy holidays.
See you in 2024! Until then here’s to a happy, healthy, rocking New Year!"
Opening was December 9, 1983.
Credit Tim O'Neill:
“40 years ago today, the Essaness Chestnut Station Theatres opened on the Near North Side of Chicago. The first 5-plex theatre in this part of town didn’t actually have five screens just yet on opening night. The four main auditoriums were built and ready to go; however, the smaller 5th screen wasn’t finished; so Essaness went ahead and opened up the new venue anyway, with Theatre 5 opening up a few weeks later in 1984.
At this time, the northern downtown theatres were dying and the Near North Side theatre scene was considered underserved. There were the four Water Tower Theatres, the Carnegie, the Esquire and the McClurg Court. Yeah…..not a whole lot to choose from. With the Chestnut Station Theatres opening up, now there were five more auditoriums. Things started out great for Chestnut Station….but not for long.
The Chestnut Station was not built from the basement on up. Essaness took over an old post office station and built four 200+ seat auditoriums on the main floor and one little room (about 175 seats) upstairs. Typical 1980s shoebox theatres. However, Theatres 1 and 2 had 70mm, and overall, it was a decent place to watch a movie. Mainly Hollywood fare opened at Chestnut Station, with some arthouse fare here and there. One of its biggest attractions was AMADEUS in 70mm. The movie played there for months. I even worked at the Chestnut Station very briefly, for two months, in 1986. Everything was a-okay at Chestnut Station for about 4 years…and then……
Well, first off, Chestnut Station was an Essaness Theatre for just under 2 ½ years. In the Fall of 1985, the Toronto-based theatre chain Cineplex Odeon took over the Plitt Theatres chain. And then, Cineplex Odeon took over the Essaness Theatres chain the following spring. So, it was now Cineplex Odeon Chestnut Station Theatres. Oh boy!!!! Initially, it was a good thing. CO’s top honcho, Garth Drabinsky, was spending money like crazy, and he remodeled many of his new acquisitions, which included the Chestnut Station. He also revamped the Biograph and Lake Shore Theatre on the North Side. Cineplex Odeon was on fire. They were taking over the world….and they closed the last two big Downtown Chicago movie houses in 1988 and January 1989. This is where things started to go downhill around 1988.
Downtown Chicago was once a bustling movie theatre scene. When I was a kid in the 1970s, there were around 13 individual movie theatres still in business. They were going down the tubes and by the mid 1980s, there was about four theatres left. After the United Artists Theatre closed in early 1988 and the Woods closed in early 1989, the rowdy downtown crowd needed someplace to go for their movie fix….so they started checking out the newly-opened (December 1988) Burnham Plaza Theatres ( a 5-lex that originally was supposed to be an Essaness theatre; however after Essaness sold their Chicago area theatres to Cineplex Odeon in 1986, the construction of the new Burnham Plaza became a Cineplex Odeon project), and the former downtown moviegoers also started to patronize the Chestnut Station.
What started out as an unspectacular but still rather nice 5-screen complex on Chicago’s Near North Side, the Chestnut Station became a less desirable location. Horror movies, action movies….the type of movies that attracted the downtown crowd…started playing at the Chestnut Station. There was a tragic shooting of a young woman from Alsip in 1992 outside the Chestnut Station on the opening night of JUICE. She died and the shooter was arrested by theatre security guards. The place was getting so undesirable that by 1996, with the recent opening of Cineplex Odeon’s 600 N. Michigan Theatres, Cineplex Odeon decided to turn Chestnut Station into a 2nd Run, $2 bargain house. One year later, after Thanksgiving weekend, the Chestnut Station Theatres closed forever.
Several years later, there was talk going around that the building that housed the Chestnut Station Theatres was going to be converted into a synagogue, but it never happened, and the building was eventually demolished. Chestnut Station Theatres; 1983-1997. It’s gone."
This renovated Covent Hotel article has a photo (added to gallery) of what used to be the theatre lobby entrance, and later the driveway to rear parking area that had been the auditorium footprint, is now closed off with windows presumably for retail space.
It is interesting that they left the “Hotel Covent men’s residence” ghost sign on the South elevation of the building at the top.
It was converted into a live concert venue Club Eastbrook 1986-1993, prior to becoming The Orbit Room which closed in 2018.
Confirmed Demolished 2023.
Link with photos below.
Hachidan8, “The Exorcist” played at the State-Lake 2/15/74-6/13/74, and again 4/20/79-5/24/79 as a second run.
“Papillon” preceded it 12/21/73-2/14/74.
The Gateway Theatre featured it at the time of it’s release too.
All films that played at the State-Lake 1964-1980 are listed by dates on page 5 in a 2007 comment.
As are most of the other downtown theatres.
Hachidan8, for reference all films shown at the Loop Theater 1964-1978 are listed on page 3, in a post from 2007.
Same with most of the other downtown theatres.
Update II via Tim O'Neill:
“January 30-February 5, 1976. THE KILLING MACHINE opened single on Jan 23, but SEVEN TO ONE was added on Jan 30 to make it a double bill."
Currently closed awaiting restoration. Facebook page for the non-profit organization below. Last post was June 2023.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rialto-Theater-in-Villisca-100057232068850/
Other 8/13/57 photos added to gallery.
Additional photo via Facebook that required a license, but could not find original credit to do so.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2666242273400999&set=pcb.10155708202781736
From the official Double Door Facebook page:
“I am aware that it looks like the lights have been out on the Double Door reopening for too long.
But, behind the scenes, we have been hard at work. As most of you know, the new Double Door’s home is in the Wilson Theater building.
It was built in 1909 and is designated as a historical building. Consequently, our project was under review by the City’s Landmark’s Division for almost 8 months.
Finally and gratefully, Landmarks gave us the thumbs up on our design. We submitted our full set of blueprints to the building department almost 6 months ago and are waiting for our construction permits.
We have been told that this could be anytime now. Hang in there and don’t loose faith ….. we haven’t.
In fact, Pete and I have decided to Zen this whole thing: “It happens when it happens.” (words to live by).
But more importantly, keep an eye on us … we have some pre-opening fun stuff in the works. Cheers and have happy holidays.
See you in 2024! Until then here’s to a happy, healthy, rocking New Year!"
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=706553391601742&set=a.530683382522078
Opening was December 9, 1983. Credit Tim O'Neill: “40 years ago today, the Essaness Chestnut Station Theatres opened on the Near North Side of Chicago. The first 5-plex theatre in this part of town didn’t actually have five screens just yet on opening night. The four main auditoriums were built and ready to go; however, the smaller 5th screen wasn’t finished; so Essaness went ahead and opened up the new venue anyway, with Theatre 5 opening up a few weeks later in 1984.
At this time, the northern downtown theatres were dying and the Near North Side theatre scene was considered underserved. There were the four Water Tower Theatres, the Carnegie, the Esquire and the McClurg Court. Yeah…..not a whole lot to choose from. With the Chestnut Station Theatres opening up, now there were five more auditoriums. Things started out great for Chestnut Station….but not for long.
The Chestnut Station was not built from the basement on up. Essaness took over an old post office station and built four 200+ seat auditoriums on the main floor and one little room (about 175 seats) upstairs. Typical 1980s shoebox theatres. However, Theatres 1 and 2 had 70mm, and overall, it was a decent place to watch a movie. Mainly Hollywood fare opened at Chestnut Station, with some arthouse fare here and there. One of its biggest attractions was AMADEUS in 70mm. The movie played there for months. I even worked at the Chestnut Station very briefly, for two months, in 1986. Everything was a-okay at Chestnut Station for about 4 years…and then……
Well, first off, Chestnut Station was an Essaness Theatre for just under 2 ½ years. In the Fall of 1985, the Toronto-based theatre chain Cineplex Odeon took over the Plitt Theatres chain. And then, Cineplex Odeon took over the Essaness Theatres chain the following spring. So, it was now Cineplex Odeon Chestnut Station Theatres. Oh boy!!!! Initially, it was a good thing. CO’s top honcho, Garth Drabinsky, was spending money like crazy, and he remodeled many of his new acquisitions, which included the Chestnut Station. He also revamped the Biograph and Lake Shore Theatre on the North Side. Cineplex Odeon was on fire. They were taking over the world….and they closed the last two big Downtown Chicago movie houses in 1988 and January 1989. This is where things started to go downhill around 1988.
Downtown Chicago was once a bustling movie theatre scene. When I was a kid in the 1970s, there were around 13 individual movie theatres still in business. They were going down the tubes and by the mid 1980s, there was about four theatres left. After the United Artists Theatre closed in early 1988 and the Woods closed in early 1989, the rowdy downtown crowd needed someplace to go for their movie fix….so they started checking out the newly-opened (December 1988) Burnham Plaza Theatres ( a 5-lex that originally was supposed to be an Essaness theatre; however after Essaness sold their Chicago area theatres to Cineplex Odeon in 1986, the construction of the new Burnham Plaza became a Cineplex Odeon project), and the former downtown moviegoers also started to patronize the Chestnut Station.
What started out as an unspectacular but still rather nice 5-screen complex on Chicago’s Near North Side, the Chestnut Station became a less desirable location. Horror movies, action movies….the type of movies that attracted the downtown crowd…started playing at the Chestnut Station. There was a tragic shooting of a young woman from Alsip in 1992 outside the Chestnut Station on the opening night of JUICE. She died and the shooter was arrested by theatre security guards. The place was getting so undesirable that by 1996, with the recent opening of Cineplex Odeon’s 600 N. Michigan Theatres, Cineplex Odeon decided to turn Chestnut Station into a 2nd Run, $2 bargain house. One year later, after Thanksgiving weekend, the Chestnut Station Theatres closed forever.
Several years later, there was talk going around that the building that housed the Chestnut Station Theatres was going to be converted into a synagogue, but it never happened, and the building was eventually demolished. Chestnut Station Theatres; 1983-1997. It’s gone."
Link with an auditorium shot from “The Blob” in 1988.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/film-louisiana/blob
This renovated Covent Hotel article has a photo (added to gallery) of what used to be the theatre lobby entrance, and later the driveway to rear parking area that had been the auditorium footprint, is now closed off with windows presumably for retail space. It is interesting that they left the “Hotel Covent men’s residence” ghost sign on the South elevation of the building at the top.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/11/17/rehabbed-covent-hotel-opens-bringing-30-affordable-studios-to-lincoln-park/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=How+The+Blackhawks+Made+A+Veteran+s+Dream+Come+True+%F0%9F%8F%92&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Nov++17%2C+2023+Morning+List&vgo_ee=0YgyFc5GLJDq5zpt%2BYWBp2FmR%2BDq7wkpdGP52m%2FCES00qWi0UORfkA%3D%3D%3AU1t%2B1MZmolcPSnzN9maaepPoWJ16Hxv1
It was renamed the Savoy Theatre by 1942.
It was converted into a live concert venue Club Eastbrook 1986-1993, prior to becoming The Orbit Room which closed in 2018. Confirmed Demolished 2023. Link with photos below.
https://wgrd.com/demolition-of-the-legendary-orbit-room-in-grand-rapids-has-begun/
1985 photo credit & copyright Matt Weber.
https://weber-street-photography.com/2011/09/
Variety article confirming the Vista’s 11/17/23 reopening date.
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/quentin-tarantino-vista-theatre-reopening-los-feliz-1235781640/?fbclid=IwAR05NbixHIkbaB77XoFejMc_OA-dCQvlld4cOA7T81u3UM0_ypvwlO1vKG4#recipient_hashed=3e52dc1007b94d264f3cd2c1ccd796b6c00397f19272412c040cc226c9809808&recipient_salt=340ea39ee2a060e3c6759bee0616478721c2632f8818224b2b08054521c9b297
Hachidan8, “The Exorcist” played at the State-Lake 2/15/74-6/13/74, and again 4/20/79-5/24/79 as a second run. “Papillon” preceded it 12/21/73-2/14/74. The Gateway Theatre featured it at the time of it’s release too. All films that played at the State-Lake 1964-1980 are listed by dates on page 5 in a 2007 comment. As are most of the other downtown theatres.
Hachidan8, for reference all films shown at the Loop Theater 1964-1978 are listed on page 3, in a post from 2007. Same with most of the other downtown theatres.
Two photos added to gallery via Facebook post below. Penfield Amusements were the owners and operators.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10210997854977581&set=gm.1384464738815631&idorvanity=673748336553945
Link with additional 1914 photo.
http://exploredallashistory.com/lyric-electric-theatre/?fbclid=IwAR1fYaH5WvZd2Qo_1NxVBGz-pw7bjcn5QbHk6zb5J2Db9PUQtEpllNWL2wE
Full history in link below.
https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/history/2021/01/09/caprock-chronicles-lyric-theatre-first-proper-picture-show-lubbock/3935603001/
CT page for the original Tiffin Mall 4 Theatres.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/69623
Currently home to Rhema Music & Clothing Company.
https://www.facebook.com/FruitaRhema/
Found this link with photos of the building.
https://www.bgsir.com/ara/sales/detail/407-l-3032-23006394/105-south-second-street-harlan-ky-40831/community
Update II via Tim O'Neill: “January 30-February 5, 1976. THE KILLING MACHINE opened single on Jan 23, but SEVEN TO ONE was added on Jan 30 to make it a double bill."
Update photo credit Saul Smaizys.
Update photo credit Saul Smaizys.
Update photo credit Saul Smaizys.
Update photo credit Saul Smaizys.
Update photo credit Saul Smaizys.