Wilson Avenue Theater
1050 W. Wilson Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60640
1050 W. Wilson Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60640
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 39 comments
I notified the Double Door with proof it ran films in 1915 and 1916. Below is a print ad for the latter from the Gallery page. Tim O'Neill can probably find more on a further search.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/16568/photos/430040?fbclid=IwY2xjawGIegFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQPKlZDyFFx5WhgGA9wKOTvSkv1IfsIpwFy4mHly0U5GHt4VgTSlqh7l9g_aem_6hd3-QBivgnO5crINPhpbA
The Tribune of July 26, 1915 lists this theater as showing a 3-reel Edison production called “Her Vocation,” plus the Chicago Tribune Weekly and two other reels. While it looks like this was mostly a live performance venue, “never” doesn’t quite hold up.
I met the owner of the building during Open House Chicago this past weekend and he says the Wilson was never a movie theater but a house for burlesque and vaudeville.¯_(ツ)_/¯
Per Double Door owners tonight: “Not yet! But soon.”
No announcement or schedule as of yet on their official website or Facebook page below. I have reached out to them for confirmation. Nothing in the news since a grant they received in mid June. All links below.
https://www.doubledoor.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0f31MMKG75VrgQm8Tyea3938h95GXZohe0VNa6XfCwNVDmFRuX-_kf4SA_aem_B-mMnyL-Mv4PCnIrfCZ0iw
https://www.facebook.com/DoubleDoorChi
https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/06/17/double-door-theater-restoration-in-uptown-gets-5-million-city-grant/
Status should be to open
Another update with video interview of the owners. Late 2024/Early 2025 opening projected at the end.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/double-door-new-home-uptown-wilson-theater/?fbclid=IwAR1h7REYDewS2i0mDaebIlPUbkD6agfxoXPmqWkEWC3ZGM1omjvy5SCLN54
https://chicagoyimby.com/2024/01/new-double-door-location-receives-permits-in-uptown.html
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
Still coming together…
https://twitter.com/adamselzer/status/1620182769493233665?s=48&t=M23iCW9Lb-NioANCDtrl1A&fbclid=IwAR20UQCyDDKXDBlT73R-rs535trBT-htBva1kaa7L-Yzi8ErdKhYQlnm8qQ
“Double Door Gets Approval To Add Marquee To New Uptown Home, With Opening Eyed For Next Year”. Block Club Chicago article with renderings.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/11/22/double-door-gets-approval-to-add-marquee-to-new-uptown-home-with-opening-eyed-for-next-year/?fbclid=IwAR2qUzW2aZo3Su7FV0VHsuuqAvrjP0XoqhIMEmxRHT0D6BddCceHbHTqMq8
Posting because Wilson Avenue Theatre building is pictured next door.
https://chicagoyimby.com/2022/01/second-floor-takes-shape-at-4600-n-kenmore-avenue-in-uptown.html?fbclid=IwAR3z4A_sEeGGzu6CiK-SC_f_6R2_hrrGdmL4HvGDVXvYVwTuSh9I7qRkuzw
Update with video.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/11/09/double-door-plans-to-open-next-year-in-uptown-but-some-lucky-fans-have-been-getting-a-sneak-peek/?fbclid=IwAR1MiReefAlbNTgbkm-GeZbx1g8SUWl5UB7y9uacfkl-tHBXv2bwhFIl8Ms
Reopening early 2022. New official website for the Double Door.
https://www.doubledoor.com/?fbclid=IwAR2YQktyjZXfMKCnC3eeZSEw35sELtV7V4SBMIQVELayo4-4DroVb0iDAro
Double Door is still happening. Photo links within article.
https://www.uptownupdate.com/2021/07/double-your-pleasure-double-your-fun.html?fbclid=IwAR0f1AT7CcQXnWL-86HuMf-a0uQ50pfmhz-wAg4-UToBrziCA96DpMrnW2c
pdf of the project next door with elevation images etc.
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Planning_and_Policy/Agendas/cpc_materials/12_2020/1050%20Wilson%20DRAFT%20CPC.pdf
New project coming to the West of the Wilson Theatre.
https://www.uptownupdate.com/2020/11/rendering-reveal-finalized-plans-for.html?fbclid=IwAR2HnLO58wsdsJqoig3HBqC1sLrkNvLgEK6MqJo3c5mogKRXiSvYK6FMWJI
Another update, includes residential development next door.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/20/uptown-developers-give-city-new-designs-for-proposed-double-door-site-including-110-apartments-next-door/?mc_cid=bc06198237&mc_eid=173b7b99f7
Double Door music venue to reopen in the former Wilson Theater.
https://www.uptownupdate.com/2018/12/double-door-coming-to-uptown-at-1050-w.html?fbclid=IwAR0thdD6KQCb0Ltkp5o9kKWAYG9OKTs8igjylhvDx3NEo0gdUXpGziNA-l8
Just posting this because it has the former Wilson Avenue Theater in an artist’s rendering of the proposed building next door. But the project seems to be borrowing the theater’s address.
https://chicago.curbed.com/2018/1/5/16846120/uptown-development-news-tod-construction
1975 photo added, photo credit William Brubeck, courtesy of the UIC Collection.
storefrontcinema: Let me know where I can send my resume.
I walked though the building yesterday with the new owners. I am considering leasing the space and turning it into a small cinema. THe stone work is amazing – although years as use of bank has chopped the thing up and really, I am not sure it was ever a theater from the very start. As the basement contains a vault that is easily 500 sf.
Coincidentally there is an article about the recent sale of this theater that came out today.http://www.uptownupdate.com/ www.uptownupdate.com if the link doesn’t work.
@Broan: Unfortunately, that picture in the Book of the Annual Exhibition is not the original facade. It is merely a rendering of Ottenheimer’s concept for the theater. The actual finished building never looked like that. This is easily discernible from the condition of the extant facade.