AMC Norridge 6
4520 N. Harlem Avenue,
Norridge,
IL
60706
4520 N. Harlem Avenue,
Norridge,
IL
60706
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 131 comments
Once operated by Loews Cineplex.
This theater is right next to what was once the Maurice Linnell Cookie Factory. I am glad the theater came back as the cookie factory did not.
Opened on June 26, 1970 with “Paint Your Wagon” at Screen 1 and “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” at Screen 2.
what a shame….
The original is still there, it’s the additions being removed.
No longer live in Chicago, so when I heard this was going to be torn down I was sad. I believe they wanted to build a Costco on the property at first, but when I heard AMC was going to renovate the second building I was excited. It’s sad the original building is gone, but finally, something survives from when I left. No more McClurg Court, no more Esquire, no more Golf Mill, but their are still movie theaters in Norridge at the same spot.
The other half of the building (formerly theaters 1-4)is sadly being demolished as I type. Too bad, I was hoping AMC would rehab the rest of the original theater. I have very fond memories of seeing Tim Burton’s Batman in this building. The screening room was huge and packed and the seats rocked and were very comfortable.
Now Open……Recliners are the last great hope to improve box office returns which are declining. This property was for sale for quite some time. AMC must have owned it all this time. AMC bought LOEWS which bought M&R who built the theaters in the first place. The “M” was for MARKS whose family had the big beautiful theater palaces in the 1920’s in Chicago. Marbro, Granada, Broadway Strand to name a few.
I’m pretty sure Friday Oct. 6 the Norridge #1-2 theatres reopened for business (with Blade Runner 2049). I had gotten an online AMC advertisement about it so Saturday when I was driving in that vicinity I turned in and the 2 auditoriums furthest west (away from Harlem) in the lot certainly looked ready for customers right now
more recliners i bet. Same thing happened with East Hanover earlier this year.
Drove by the property today. The half that’s reopening as a theater soon has been completely repainted and looks great! Interestingly, the other building (which I believe is the original building) looks untouched other than the entrance being boarded up. Wonder what will be happening there?
Woodfield, South Barrington, Cantera have
I wonder if any of the former amc loews houses remaining will become amcs with recliners soon…
New article here
Uploaded a photo I took today of the front sign stripped to just its frame.
I drove by the property today. The vintage Norridge sign that faced Harlem Avenue is sadly no more. They are in the demolition process in both buildings. I actually ran into a demo worker and he told me nearly everything has been gutted on the inside and that things were in rough shape inside before the demo work even started. It seems like there’s lots of work still to be done before it reopens.
I’m so glad they’re renovating this place.
July 25th, 1975 and June 10th, 1977 grand opening ads for cinema 3 & 4 in the photo section.
I saw JAWS here when I was a kid. There’s a stone in front that resembles the open-mouthed shark from the iconic poster for the movie. It’s still there.
The Norridge is currently being gutted to prepare for redevelopment of the original twin (later screens 5-10) into 4-6 AMC cinemas. The later addition 4 screens will be converted into retail.
I uploaded a diagram to make the sequence of additions and splits easier to understand. I think it is correct.
Trib article about the new project.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/norridge/news/ct-nhh-theater-sold-tl-0811-20160808-story.html
I find it interesting in of course a stupid way that 2 blocks south from here you have the Harlem-Irving Mall where every last square inch obviously is at a retail development premium, but here the defunct norridge theatre parcel takes years before somebody gives a hoot about using it. the old RE adage “location-location-location” at its most bizarre
It’s probably because of the clear spans of former auditoriums and lower costs of redevelopment versus demolition and new construction. Not to mention the time factor to tear down and start from scratch.
I’m surprised they’re actually interested in reusing the building.
Plans for a new AMC theater and a Miller’s Ale House via the Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/norridge/news/ct-nhh-millers-ale-tl-0519-20160513-story.html