Friday marked the 100th birthday of Uptown Theatre. Neighbors convened to celebrate, but no one could go inside — the theater has sat empty for 44 years. Will anything ever open in that gorgeous old building? And what about at Chicago’s other historic movie palaces?
The Uptown Theatre
The Uptown Theatre, on Broadway and Lawrence, opened as a massive movie palace in 1925. Maybe you’ve seen its art deco facade and red marquis — but the inside is even more striking: the sweeping lobby, soaring ceilings, bas-reliefs, marble floors, and grand curtains are in good shape despite decades of disuse.
Could the venue function again?
Building owner Jerry Mickelson hopes so. Coming from a promotion background, Mickelson purchased the property at a foreclosure auction in 2008. He struck a $79 million redevelopment deal in 2018 that included city and state funds, but that fell through during the pandemic.
Restoration costs have since risen to $190 million. Last year, Mickelson applied for tax increment financing; no word from the city yet. Ald. Angela Clay (46th) says opening the theater would require state, federal, and private funding.
Ramova Theatre
While revitalization of Uptown Theatre is no guarantee, Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport offers a blueprint. Ramova Theatre opened in 1929. Located near the Union Stock Yards, it was a centerpiece of the Lithuanian community. However, it shut down in 1985 and sat vacant for decades.
East Coast investor Tyler Nevius purchased the Ramova, and an adjacent lot, from the city in 2017 with big plans for a live-music space, brewery, and grill.
Renovations would cost a total $30 million. Nearly a third of that came from TIF funding — additional help came partners and investors like Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper, and the late Quincy Jones.
The new Ramova Theatre opened in late 2023.
The Congress Theater
The Congress Theater in Logan Square may get the Ramova treatment.
It also opened in the mid-20s, functioning as a movie palace then a music venue — then fell into disrepair. It was shut down by the city in 2013. Today, it’s not in good shape.
Still, developer Baum Revision maintains plans to revive the space. The city increased its financial package for Baum last year to include $27.25 million in TIF funding. The update marked the third time the city agreed to subsidize the project. Construction is now estimated to cost more than $88 million.
Will progress occur before the Congress Theater’s own centennial in 2026? Time will tell.
☝️ Other potential theater revivals to watch include Avalon Regal Theater, and Central Park Theater.
