There’s really nothing Prairie or Sullivanesque about it; it’s pretty strict Neoclassicism/Beaux Arts, much like the Railway Exchange Building only moreso, since it is covered in classical pilasters. Sullivan and Wright probably hated this building.
Well, the facade was pretty blank and severe, probably because of the depression. Especially after the parapet wall at the top of the entrance was removed. You’d need to punch a lot of windows in it, and it probably just wouldn’t end up looking too great. I’d like to see the scrapped proposal from VOA Architects.
Actually I visited the church not long ago. The interior’s been divided up a lot; it’s more a community center in plan. The church area itself is actually a gymnasium, the main theater feature remaining is the ceiling. Cool church, too.
The signage worked! I am in Milwaukee for the THSA conclave now and had walked up to the neighborhood for dinner and the “Vaudeville” lettering caught my eye; I walked over to take pictures and ended up looking through the facility (wow, a pharmacy, restaurant, and theater in one? how unique!), making a purchase, and chatting with the pharmacist.
I visited here today. The auditorium is well-intact aside from the leveled floor and pushed-in back wall. The MCC seemed to indicate that they moved in during the early 1980s; it seems to have functioned as a ballroom and banquet hall for some time after the 50s. The auditorium also features acoustical ceiling tile from the 30s arranged in an interesting deco pattern. The MCC is very friendly and welcoming. I have some pictures I hope to post soon.
Andy-
I have a fuzzy copy of a Chicago Historical Society photo of that stretch of Wilson, as well as some newspaper articles. Nothing quite that specific, but they’d probably be of some use for you. Email me.
While a great picture, it had to have been taken some time between 2000-2004, probably closer to the latter, as it looks like Fannie Mae is closed. It is probably a scanned photo, which would account for the inaccurate date.
It seems to have sold again, and it no longer reads build to suit; it is instead up for lease. It seems that the property might just be too narrow to redevelop unless the adjacent Burger King was incorporated into the property.
The Oriental, Palace, and Lasalle Bank have tours through Broadway in Chicago, and the Chicago has tours through its management. Regular tours of the Auditorium Theatre are also held through its management and through the Chicago Architecture Foundation. There is information on their respective websites. The Uptown is not open to the public.
Then it’s still an Orange-rated building, so it has some protection in that it would be subject to a 90-day hold for review before any demolition or alterations were approved.
There’s really nothing Prairie or Sullivanesque about it; it’s pretty strict Neoclassicism/Beaux Arts, much like the Railway Exchange Building only moreso, since it is covered in classical pilasters. Sullivan and Wright probably hated this building.
Well, the facade was pretty blank and severe, probably because of the depression. Especially after the parapet wall at the top of the entrance was removed. You’d need to punch a lot of windows in it, and it probably just wouldn’t end up looking too great. I’d like to see the scrapped proposal from VOA Architects.
The Tribune’s archive is online. I wonder how the projectionist would have projected that message.
Errol Flynn & Fred MacMurray in “Dive Bomber” and Joan Bennett & Henry Fonda in “Wild Geese Calling”
Actually I visited the church not long ago. The interior’s been divided up a lot; it’s more a community center in plan. The church area itself is actually a gymnasium, the main theater feature remaining is the ceiling. Cool church, too.
The signage worked! I am in Milwaukee for the THSA conclave now and had walked up to the neighborhood for dinner and the “Vaudeville” lettering caught my eye; I walked over to take pictures and ended up looking through the facility (wow, a pharmacy, restaurant, and theater in one? how unique!), making a purchase, and chatting with the pharmacist.
Photos, including historical and ones from earlier today, are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ctid965/
I’d be surprised to see so much as a White Castle on the spot in 5 years…
Try calling again. I heard showtimes for today and tomorrow.
You sure about that, Catherine?
Village Theater For Sale?
http://www.jlarch.net/projects/the_lawndale.html . I suppose it might have also been a 5-year contract with Marcus, too.
Architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates contributed to the design here. It is now closed.
Architects Johnson & Lee contributed to the standard Cineplex Odeon template here
I’ll bet it was a 10-year lease or something.
View link
I visited here today. The auditorium is well-intact aside from the leveled floor and pushed-in back wall. The MCC seemed to indicate that they moved in during the early 1980s; it seems to have functioned as a ballroom and banquet hall for some time after the 50s. The auditorium also features acoustical ceiling tile from the 30s arranged in an interesting deco pattern. The MCC is very friendly and welcoming. I have some pictures I hope to post soon.
Andy-
I have a fuzzy copy of a Chicago Historical Society photo of that stretch of Wilson, as well as some newspaper articles. Nothing quite that specific, but they’d probably be of some use for you. Email me.
While a great picture, it had to have been taken some time between 2000-2004, probably closer to the latter, as it looks like Fannie Mae is closed. It is probably a scanned photo, which would account for the inaccurate date.
It seems to have sold again, and it no longer reads build to suit; it is instead up for lease. It seems that the property might just be too narrow to redevelop unless the adjacent Burger King was incorporated into the property.
Curiously, they have changed their plans for what the Esquire will be replaced with. View link
You can find metered parking relatively easily and there’s a city metered lot across the street, tucked away a bit.
The Oriental, Palace, and Lasalle Bank have tours through Broadway in Chicago, and the Chicago has tours through its management. Regular tours of the Auditorium Theatre are also held through its management and through the Chicago Architecture Foundation. There is information on their respective websites. The Uptown is not open to the public.
Then it’s still an Orange-rated building, so it has some protection in that it would be subject to a 90-day hold for review before any demolition or alterations were approved.
I don’t think the theater is under imminent danger; keep in mind the sign says “Theater for Rent”, and not Build to Suit
Sand or gravel is fairly common, I think.