ACX Harper Theater - Hyde Park
5238 S. Harper Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60615
5238 S. Harper Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60615
10 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
ACX Cinemas (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: ACX Cinemas
Previously operated by: Kohlberg Theaters, Loews, Meridian Theatres, M & R Theatres, Schoenstadt, Sony Theatres
Architects: Mark D. Kalischer, Z. E. Smith, Horatio R. Wilson
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Prairie School, Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Harper Theater, Hyde Park 2, Hyde Park Theaters, Meridian Theater
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
773.966.5091
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jan 16, 2013 — Hyde Park's new (old) theater reopens
- Jan 16, 2012 — Hyde Park theater reopening now scheduled for fall
- Mar 3, 2011 — Former Hyde Park area theater to reopen in 2012 in Chicago
- Feb 4, 2004 — University Reconsiders Future of Hyde Park Theaters
The Harper Theater was built in 1914, but due to a legal dispute it didn’t open until May 24, 1915. This 1,201-seat theater was designed by architects Z. E. Smith and Horatio R. Wilson. It once contained a Kimball organ. In April 1930 it became part of the Schoenstadt circuit. In the late-1930’s it was remodeled by architect Mark D. Kalischer in a Streamline Moderne style.
On December 25, 1970 it became the Hyde Park 2 still a single screen) and still later was increased to four screens. After Schoenstadt, the theater was operated by Kohlberg Theatres, M & R Theatres(from May 24, 1985), Sony Theatres (Loews) in 1989, and finally the Meridian chain. The Hyde Park Theatres closed in spring of 2002.
The theater was renovated in 2011-2012 and reopened on January 18, 2013 under its original Harper Theater name. It still has four screens, but has been completely renovated inside with 1,108-seats, as well as given a new marquee and vertical sign. The theatre is owned by the University of Chicago, and was operated by the New 400 Theaters, which also managed the New 400 Theaters in Rogers Park. The reopening of the Harper Theater brought movies back to the Hyde Park area for the first time in over a decade. It was closed on November 30, 2022 after being sold to Main Street Theatres who began refurbishment and it reopened on May 23, 2023 with 221-seats. By early-2025 it was operated by ACX Cinemas.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft, Ray Martinez
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Recent comments (view all 56 comments)
May 24th, 1985 grand re-opening ad as a 3 screen as M&R Hyde Park added via James Stegall.
Taken over by Loews in 1989.
Reopening in 2023 by Main Street theatres from Omaha.
https://www.hpherald.com/evening_digest/harper-theater-to-close-in-november-will-reopen-early-next-year-under-new-ownership/article_d2419382-6144-11ed-9acb-e371c1a663ee.html
“The U. of C.’s office of Commercial Real Estate Operations finalized plans with their new vendor, Main Street Theatres, on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
A small movie theater chain based in Omaha, Neb., Main Street Theatres operates five movie theaters across Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin.
According to Michael Barstow, Main Street Theatres’ executive vice president and a Chicago resident, the company will move into Harper Theater on Dec. 1 to begin renovations and other upgrades throughout the building.
The company, which is family-owned, was drawn to Harper Theater because “they have experience on college campuses and being very much neighborhood feeders… immediately it felt familiar,” Barstow said. "
this theatre is open!
Literally went here to see a movie
The Harper Theater is now open:
Chicago, IL: Main Street Theatres - Harper Theater Now Open [May 23, 2023]
Please update chain https://www.acxcinemas.com/movie-theater/harpertheater
The current chain is ACX Cinemas
Please update, total seats 221 Cinema 1 37 Seats, Cinema 2 48, Cinema 3 77 and Cinema 4 58 Seats
Please add website https://www.acxcinemas.com/