Drove by yesterday, the Admiral has re-done its entrance in a more sympathetic way – more of the terra cotta is now exposed and a lot of that EFIS stucco is gone.
This looks like a pretty small theater from the street, but satellite view shows that it telescopes as it goes back. Seating capacity was 769 in 1916, not 400.
A blown opportunity to spend several times as much for a few hundred more seats to fill, maybe (and remember, there are no seats in place). An opportunity to get foreclosed. Of course, is it even an opportunity if the owners of the Belpark had no interest in selling, and the operators of the Portage did not have funds to buy, but rent? Easy to play 20/20 hindsight, but I have actually been through the Belpark fairly recently. Don’t forget the Portage has Sears parking. It’s a good opportunity for the church, which should have better access to financing, and perhaps they’ll end up making the facility available for other events, assuming they’re able to make the deal happen.
If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the Golden Tiara bingo hall. I think walking around inside will help you understand how it’s different from the Portage.
The fact that there are so many surface parking lots at Cicero should make it clear that it’s a less hot area. If there was much demand for land at Cicero & Belmont, the bank would likely sell much of its oversized parking lots for redevelopment. 6 corners has Sears & Jewel, Cicero has Walgreens. Milwaukee and Irving Park are much more heavily trafficked than that part of Cicero & Belmont. If empty lots are better than occupied businesses, explain the Music Box.
There are no seats at all at the Belpark. Capacity couldn’t be more than a few hundred, as bingo is conducted at widely-spaced card tables. It’s also not exclusively seniors. I think if you saw inside the Belpark you’d understand why both parties went after the Portage first.
A restaurant with a liquor license is a much different animal than a liquor store & flophouse.
There are good areas and bad areas of Garfield Park. This is not a bad area – there’s business and new development. How are you judging danger?
Nope
David Zornig found this photo showing the Hoyburn in the distance
http://chicagopast.com/post/39056373405
Drove by yesterday, the Admiral has re-done its entrance in a more sympathetic way – more of the terra cotta is now exposed and a lot of that EFIS stucco is gone.
Here is a 1966 view.
Here is a 1960 photo
Here is a 1956 photo of the Brighton
Here is a 1921 view of the Stratford and Englewood.
Here is a 1921 view of the Stratford and Englewood.
Here is a great picture showing the wonderful detail of the second marquee.
http://calumet412.tumblr.com/post/34043220411/the-will-rogers-theater-5641-w-belmont-1938
Pearselives is correct, many pay zones are free after a certain time of night.
http://chicagopast.com/post/32881141467 A bigger version of the image in Bryan’s 2003 post
Here is a nice photo prior to demolition
When I clicked it, it didn’t work, but displayed after I refreshed it.
Visible to the edge of this image: http://chicagopast.com/post/32402435741
The photos tab – http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/302/photos/52019
Added a picture of the original seats. Yes I believe they were replaced in 1948.
Here is a 1949 picture featuring the original teaser curtain.
This looks like a pretty small theater from the street, but satellite view shows that it telescopes as it goes back. Seating capacity was 769 in 1916, not 400.
This appears to be after the theater was removed
A blown opportunity to spend several times as much for a few hundred more seats to fill, maybe (and remember, there are no seats in place). An opportunity to get foreclosed. Of course, is it even an opportunity if the owners of the Belpark had no interest in selling, and the operators of the Portage did not have funds to buy, but rent? Easy to play 20/20 hindsight, but I have actually been through the Belpark fairly recently. Don’t forget the Portage has Sears parking. It’s a good opportunity for the church, which should have better access to financing, and perhaps they’ll end up making the facility available for other events, assuming they’re able to make the deal happen.
If you are in the area, I encourage you to visit the Golden Tiara bingo hall. I think walking around inside will help you understand how it’s different from the Portage.
The fact that there are so many surface parking lots at Cicero should make it clear that it’s a less hot area. If there was much demand for land at Cicero & Belmont, the bank would likely sell much of its oversized parking lots for redevelopment. 6 corners has Sears & Jewel, Cicero has Walgreens. Milwaukee and Irving Park are much more heavily trafficked than that part of Cicero & Belmont. If empty lots are better than occupied businesses, explain the Music Box.
There are no seats at all at the Belpark. Capacity couldn’t be more than a few hundred, as bingo is conducted at widely-spaced card tables. It’s also not exclusively seniors. I think if you saw inside the Belpark you’d understand why both parties went after the Portage first.
A restaurant with a liquor license is a much different animal than a liquor store & flophouse.