A building permit shows Alexander Levy as the architect for a building here built in 1911. I think that the lobby may have been a 1911 nickelodeon that was then converted when the larger auditorium was added.
It appears that the architect information was conflated with the entry for the Marshfield across the street; this was the theater actually designed by Gernfeld.
Actually, it IS still standing. This is strange, because the property seemingly received a demolition permit in July 2006 and a permit to build a 4 ½ story building on the site. But I drove by today and there it was. So it is still standing, who knows for how long.
This theater was directly adjacent to the el tracks. In recent years its original white and green glazed brick facade was replaced with plain red brick.
This one is a little odd. A 1914 Sanborn map shows the theater occupying only the westernmost of the three lots this building occupies; the building was seemingly built in 1909 as a Post Office (it certainly looks like one too) and the eastern two lots are shown as such. It later became a bowling alley. It seems likely that the theater occupied a third of the post office- perhaps it was built too large for the area.
The shore was oddly built at an angle to the street to fit the largest possible theater to the lot. It is at least partially demolished. Part of the structure to the rear of the building on the site follows the footprint of the auditorium and may or may not be part of it.
Evidence seems to suggest that the current building was built around 1955. This could be inaccurate, but the Pioneer is missing from 1950 and 1941 Sanborn insurance maps.
A building permit shows Alexander Levy as the architect for a building here built in 1911. I think that the lobby may have been a 1911 nickelodeon that was then converted when the larger auditorium was added.
Architect was Jacob S. Aroner. Built 1911
Architect was Alexander Levy. Opened as the Lux in 1912 with 735 seats.
It appears that the architect information was conflated with the entry for the Marshfield across the street; this was the theater actually designed by Gernfeld.
In 1910
The Marshfield was designed by Alexander Levy according to the building permit index.
A small profile with a picture of the facade (covered in the 1970s) is available through HAARGIS
Chicago Filmmakers' building was itself a former theater. /theaters/3284/
Recent photos of this theater are HERE
Architect was S.N. Crowen; building permit issued May 18, 1912.
Recent photos are HERE
Recent photos are HERE
Recent photos are HERE
View link
Actually, it IS still standing. This is strange, because the property seemingly received a demolition permit in July 2006 and a permit to build a 4 ½ story building on the site. But I drove by today and there it was. So it is still standing, who knows for how long.
Now I can’t seem to find where I got that information. Maybe not.
Architect Alexander L. Levy
This theater was directly adjacent to the el tracks. In recent years its original white and green glazed brick facade was replaced with plain red brick.
It was also later a bowling alley.
This one is a little odd. A 1914 Sanborn map shows the theater occupying only the westernmost of the three lots this building occupies; the building was seemingly built in 1909 as a Post Office (it certainly looks like one too) and the eastern two lots are shown as such. It later became a bowling alley. It seems likely that the theater occupied a third of the post office- perhaps it was built too large for the area.
The shore was oddly built at an angle to the street to fit the largest possible theater to the lot. It is at least partially demolished. Part of the structure to the rear of the building on the site follows the footprint of the auditorium and may or may not be part of it.
Sterling: /theaters/279/
Effingham: /theaters/369/
Salem: /theaters/5906/
21st Century Cinemas: http://www.21stcinemas.com/
Evidence seems to suggest that the current building was built around 1955. This could be inaccurate, but the Pioneer is missing from 1950 and 1941 Sanborn insurance maps.
Seating should be like 550 too.
It looks like a demo permit was pulled in July so it probably WAS demolished. I will check to make sure when I get a chance.