Crocker Theater
96 S. Grove Avenue,
Elgin,
IL
60120
96 S. Grove Avenue,
Elgin,
IL
60120
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 44 of 44 comments
Also wondering what the facade looks like without the marquee… Was anything under it?
What does the interior look like? Was it really gutted previously, and if so why?
Just what we need, more condos! However, as I said in my previous post, I’m not sure if the Crocker would have succeeded as a cinema or as a performing arts venue. The relatively new Casino Theatre didn’t make it. And for performing arts, the Hemmens is nearby.
What might have been done? How ‘bout “adaptive re-use” in which historical elements including the marquee are retained? How 'bout a movie themed restaurant or cafe? Or a nice banquet hall as was done with a theatre in Quincy, IL?
I’m watching it right now…they’re tearing it down with a big crane. They ripped the classic marquee down yesterday. I work right accross the street from the parking lot that is next to the theater.
It’s pretty depressing seeing all these condos being built. It’s so bad. The rest of the city’s historical sites are probably soon to follow.
Fuck Elgin. West Dundee saved their classic theatre and turned it into a successful music venue. West Dundee did the right thing with the condos they built. They didn’t tear down any buildings. They let the condos be built into a rennovated warehouse. Kept the theatre…and everybody is still happy. West Dundee downtown is thriving. Hell they shoot movies there because it’s nice and authentic.
Elgin is nothing but a dirty whore selling herself to the rich and forsaking her children aka Elginites.
I think we should all get together and save the marquee. Then we’ll find another building to stick it to…
They should have turned it into an art house theatre for foreign films and classics. Or they should have turned it into an arcade. A regular theatre couldn’t compete with the big chains. Maybe they could just save the facade and “relocate” the building across the street.
The situation that the Crocker Theater now finds itself pretty much represents the feeling of the city planners regarding downtown Elgin. I think that they are under the impression that building enough condos will cause a mythical “critical mass” of people living downtown. This will then produce all manner of retail and entertainment enterprises.
It will, in all probability, produce only enough such commerce to provide some of the needs of nearby citizens. Consider Sunset Park-the first post-WWII housing development in Elgin. It has a strip mall next to it. The same can be said for other such developments such as Wing Park Manor, Eagle Heights, Century Oaks, and so on.
People just aren’t going to come from other parts of Elgin to visit a Walgreens in downtown Elgin.
But they just might come to a properly renovated and properly run Crocker Theater. There are thousands of classic movies from the silent era onward to today. Some are not available on DVD and even those that are benefit from being shown using the equipment for which they were filmed in an environment they were designed for. The Crocker could go for years on such fare. Who among movie lovers would not like to see their favorite movie(s) on the big screen?
Add a few local restaurants and Elgin would have the core of a “downtown” again. I don’t think that Ackemans and Spiese’s will ever grace downtown Elgin again. But it should, in my opinion, be a place for all of us in Elgin to enjoy.
A riverside park is a step in the right direction but the rest of the plan will result in nothing more (or less) than an upscale (and probably ugly) housing development with an upscale (and probably ugly) downtown strip mall.
I too believe in historic preservation. But I really wonder whether or not the Crocker could have made it as a movie theatre again. After all, the nearby Casino Theatre closed after a very short run (1994-2002). And it was a much newer theatre. This is surprising, given that Classic Cinemas is usually a good chain.
I believe that if the Crocker could have been saved, it should have been done so a la the Warner Center in Pittsburgh (ie conversion to retail and restaurant use, while retaining the marquee). Perhaps condos could have even been included in the design.
also, I would like to add that this town needs to be rejuvinated!
turn it into a Brew-and-Veiw, a concert hall, a club, or maybe even re-open it as a theater again, but for the sake of Elgin, don’t tear it down to build more expensive condos!
I think the City of Elgin should keep the Crocker. St. Charles and other suburbs still have old movies houses in there towns in which people still flock in be the hundreds. I only lived in Elgin for nineteen years I grew up in Chicago and I still remember the downtown theaters which are now a distant memory. This is why Elgin should keep this theater and not let it become a distant memory in the past. Also since I only lived in Elgin for only nineteen years,I would like to see if anyone has any pictures of what the Crocker looked like on the inside before the theater closed. I only seen one in the Gail Borden Library about three years ago, but I would like to see some more pictures of this building.
It’s sad what these idiots are planning to do to the Crocker.
I, too, think that the idea of erecting more condos downtown is an awful idea that is made even worse by razing one of Elgin’s gems in the process. Hasn’t Elgin learned anything since 1966 when it allowed the Watch Factory to be demolished? Is it an absolutely 100% certainty that this horrible plan will be undertaken? Up to a point, I agree that one of things downtown Elgin needs is people. But people do not have to live downtown to contribute to its commerce. (Witness the riverboat casino.)
It is a strange coincidence that the amount of money subsidized by Elgin for the condo project is about the same amount needed to restore the Crocker. As we are talking, in part, of my tax money I suggest the money be spent to have a building that is open to the public, serves a city-wide purpose, and shows lots of class. Is there any doubt as to which idea I am suggesting?
How sad-
They could have incorporated this beautiful, historic building into their downtown plan, and instead will demolish it to build more unsightly townhomes and condos. What a world we live in!!! Not to mention you can buy a beautiful historic home in Elgin for less than those new places cost!
My husband and I just went to take pictures of the building this past weekend, it is still standing. Does anyone know of any organizations still trying to get this theater re-opened? If so, we would like to be involved. The downtown Elgin area could come alive again if enough time, money, and care was put into it. There are already townhouses being built by the library and casino, I don’t see why they would need to build even more in the spot where the theater stands now.
Elgin stupid Ashoes!!! Let SOME history and culture survive for christ’s sakes! That is unless you would rather it remain stale, dumpy and crappy forever. Do a classic movie theater or a club, or SOMETHING, no more god da*n condos, apartments, or god help me, townhomes. ENOUGH ALREADY! I am starting to feel like I am in a bad movie where everything looks the same and nothing and noone has any character. Renovating the downtown area = increase in property values (aka property taxes)higher volume in visitation from surrounding areas as well as tourism, and everyone is happy. Buttheads. So do everyone a favor, and let what used to be a beautiful town become that again, not just another bland everything looks the same suburb. Because what’s next after downtown, the victorians? I would hope not, but if you’re ready to teardown one aspect of this towns history for profit, than I am willing to bet that you’re willing to do that as well.
Andrew Funk From Elgin
RE-OPEN THE CROCKER THEATRE AS A LIVE MUSIC VENUE. YOU WOULD BE FOLLISH TO DO OTHERWISE.
Old Elgin theater will be torn down for new housing
By Raoul V. Mowatt, Tribune staff reporter. Freelance reporter Steve Young contributed to this report.
July 7, 2001
The Elgin City Council has endorsed a plan to subsidize twin housing projects by as much as $4.2 million, ending the possibility that the landmark Crocker Theater could be restored for entertainment use.
Despite calls from audience members to re-examine preserving the theater, council members last month voted 7-0 for the city to negotiate with Par Development of East Dundee to build 60 condominiums and 116 town homes on South Grove Avenue.
A formal vote on the plan will be taken July 11. The council’s action also delayed a bid to save the theater’s facade.As part of the plan, most if not all of the Crocker, which opened in 1923 but has been closed since the 1970s, would be torn down to provide parking for the developments. Officials previously had agreed to study whether to attempt to save the facade, which could cost the city $250,000 or more. But officials said losing the Crocker would be a small sacrifice to launch a $28 million project they believe could spur other companies to invest in the downtown area.
“I think this can really help to improve property values for the rest of the downtown area” Councilwoman Ruth Munson said.
The city bought the Crocker in 1999 for $600,000 and has spent $30,000 renovating the facade. Many residents have backed the idea of resurrecting the theater, but, officials said, there has been little serious interest in the undertaking. The city estimates it would take $5 million to make the gutted theater functional again.
Par Development would receive an incentive of more than $3.1 million in land and as much as $1 million for expenses such as streetscaping and sewer upgrades. Officials said the subsidy is in line with what developers have received for other projects. But some council members expressed discomfort with it.
Councilman John Walters labeled such incentives “corporate welfare.” But he said Elgin has little choice but to pay if it wants to upgrade its downtown area and remain competitive with other towns.
Officials said they hope the developer’s housing options will attract young professionals. The prospect of scores of new residents probably would attract businesses to move to the area, they said.
Preservationists petitioned the city to revive the Crocker or at least retain its facade.
Attorney Michael Noland presented a proposal to have the Crocker provide live theater, an arcade and a buffet. He said the city could create a non-profit enterprise and consider selling it to the private sector after it established itself. Noland urged the council to postpone making a decision until it studies alternatives.
The Crocker, Elgin has 1347 seats including the balcony. It was a single screen with a slightly curved (16 degree) screen. It was equipped with 4 track magnetic and optical mono sound. It backed up to the Fox river.