I know that I previously stated that I was not all that fond of the Adelphi. But let’s face it. It did provide some form of culture to the Rogers Park neighborhood. It was something unique, which could have been saved as a small peforming arts venue, or it could have been successfully put into adaptive re-use.
So I say, I agree with the above statements. I hope that the “developer” goes bankrupt! I hope that the pit, which now occupies the site, remains for a very long time as a reminder to those who “greased the wheels” to get this theatre demolished. The same goes for the DuPage, the Esquire, et. al.
Or, how ‘bout what redrobedmage says above? Let’s make it into a “park-n-ride” lot for the nearby METRA station!
I think the best hope for these two theatres would be for Kerasotes to take over. I don’t think that CC wants to operate in the city. I certainly wouldn’t want Village to take over.
Cinemark Fan, I understand that you wish to start your own cinema corporation someday! I hope that you can do this! If you do achieve this, the Bloomingdale Court would be a good theatre to take over and operate as a “Super-Saver” 2nd-run house.
The only two 2nd-run houses remaining that I know of are the LaGrange and the Buffalo Grove. We need more including one in the City. Would you also consider, if you are successful, taking over the Patio?
Per John Sanchez’s comment above, I just looked up THE LAST AFFAIR on www.imdb.com and not much is known about that movie. Except that Betty Thomas of HILL STREET BLUES fame was in it.;
It seems odd that a 15 year old building would be demolished. But then again, considering our “throw-away” society, maybe not. Could this building have been re-used for anything? Likely not.
The Lincoln Village building itself is okay. The theatre is in okay shape, but only okay. I’d give the place two stars out of four. But the parking lot is in deplorable shape! Pot holes everywhere, broken pavement, parking lot stripes are faded. It seems as if the Lincoln Village Shopping Center management has purposely neglected the facilities for the theatre. This is odd because the shopping center itself has gone through a revival.
For a good photo on the parking lot, go to www.yelp.com and enter “ ‘Lincoln Village Theatre’ near ‘Chicago, IL’”. I’ll be posting a review there pretty soon.
Richard G.may well be correct November 25, 2003 post. There was indeed a store called Steinberg-Baum. I vaguely remember that when I was a little girl, my Dad would buy something called “Sand Soap” there!
I even more vaguely remember that S-B had another location in Niles or Morton Grove or something, but I could be wrong.
Per Cam’s comment http://www.mekong.net/random/theatres.htm
above, it looks like the auditorium and the decor was mostly intact in 1990. I never was here when it was a single screen. The last movie I saw here was “Venus” starring Peter O'Toole.
Thanks for the information on the condition of this place. I don’t live in Pittsburgh, but a friend of mine did for a few years and he’d been to this place.
As you are no doubt aware, restoring a theatre to either performing arts or movies is risky. It has to be done properly by people with deep pockets and a solid business plan (as was done with the Hollywood).
I walked past here last week. It appears that the front of the building—where the foyer/entrance was—is being used for medical offices. Where the auditoriums were is where the apartments went in.
Even if someone could make general repairs, install new seating, etc. and continue to operate it as a “quad” (and do promotions) I betcha it would do well. It wouldn’t as good as a total restoration, but it would be better than demolition.
The LaGrange Theatre in LaGrange, IL is the same vintage as this theatre. It was “quadded” years ago, has somewhat limited parking, but gets good walk-in trade from the community. It does very well and is very crowded on weekends.
I know that I previously stated that I was not all that fond of the Adelphi. But let’s face it. It did provide some form of culture to the Rogers Park neighborhood. It was something unique, which could have been saved as a small peforming arts venue, or it could have been successfully put into adaptive re-use.
So I say, I agree with the above statements. I hope that the “developer” goes bankrupt! I hope that the pit, which now occupies the site, remains for a very long time as a reminder to those who “greased the wheels” to get this theatre demolished. The same goes for the DuPage, the Esquire, et. al.
Or, how ‘bout what redrobedmage says above? Let’s make it into a “park-n-ride” lot for the nearby METRA station!
Uh-Oh! That’s not good news for those who live in Rogers Park.
Village’s website says that the theatre is still open. I think that once this place goes, that’ll be it for Village’s chain.
Jim,
I think the best hope for these two theatres would be for Kerasotes to take over. I don’t think that CC wants to operate in the city. I certainly wouldn’t want Village to take over.
The status of this place should be “closed.” I believe that the Quarry aka Hodgkins Cinema also looks like this place.
What happened? These ICE theatres seemed to be a huge success when they first opened?
This raises some questions:
1) What to do with a nearly new theatre building? Would the areas these theatres are in support a gym or a Best Buy?
2) Who, if anybody, would be willing to take these theatres over? I think the only hope would be if Keresotas (sp?) becomes interested.
3) Could anyone imagine Village Theatres acquiring these? Village is certain to be out of business soon!
This will probably be the last of Village’s theatres to survive. It gets good walk-in trade from Loyola and the neighborhood.
The website should be shown as www.villagetheatres.com
Here is an interesting review of this theatre:
View link
Cinemark Fan, I understand that you wish to start your own cinema corporation someday! I hope that you can do this! If you do achieve this, the Bloomingdale Court would be a good theatre to take over and operate as a “Super-Saver” 2nd-run house.
The only two 2nd-run houses remaining that I know of are the LaGrange and the Buffalo Grove. We need more including one in the City. Would you also consider, if you are successful, taking over the Patio?
Per John Sanchez’s comment above, I just looked up THE LAST AFFAIR on www.imdb.com and not much is known about that movie. Except that Betty Thomas of HILL STREET BLUES fame was in it.;
Anybody know where I can find a photo of the Playboy/Sandburg? I vaguely remember this from my youth.
Wasn’t this a Plitt Theatre for awhile?
It seems odd that a 15 year old building would be demolished. But then again, considering our “throw-away” society, maybe not. Could this building have been re-used for anything? Likely not.
Actually, here is a more direct link to reviews and photos:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/7e2kOIIM1UwB5UVJmXx4Bw
The Lincoln Village building itself is okay. The theatre is in okay shape, but only okay. I’d give the place two stars out of four. But the parking lot is in deplorable shape! Pot holes everywhere, broken pavement, parking lot stripes are faded. It seems as if the Lincoln Village Shopping Center management has purposely neglected the facilities for the theatre. This is odd because the shopping center itself has gone through a revival.
For a good photo on the parking lot, go to www.yelp.com and enter “ ‘Lincoln Village Theatre’ near ‘Chicago, IL’”. I’ll be posting a review there pretty soon.
BW Chicago,
But what would happen if the building owners are unable to find a suitable company to operate the Village Theatre?
Can the demolition crews be on their way?
Richard G.may well be correct November 25, 2003 post. There was indeed a store called Steinberg-Baum. I vaguely remember that when I was a little girl, my Dad would buy something called “Sand Soap” there!
I even more vaguely remember that S-B had another location in Niles or Morton Grove or something, but I could be wrong.
Per Cam’s comment http://www.mekong.net/random/theatres.htm
above, it looks like the auditorium and the decor was mostly intact in 1990. I never was here when it was a single screen. The last movie I saw here was “Venus” starring Peter O'Toole.
Thespian110
Thanks for the information on the condition of this place. I don’t live in Pittsburgh, but a friend of mine did for a few years and he’d been to this place.
As you are no doubt aware, restoring a theatre to either performing arts or movies is risky. It has to be done properly by people with deep pockets and a solid business plan (as was done with the Hollywood).
Cinemaven—You may be thinking of the United Artists Theatre. That had the ABC logo on it and before that the Balaban & Katz logo.
I went past here last night, 4/2/2007, while on my way to the Piper’s Alley. The interior is already being stripped out.
I walked past here last week. It appears that the front of the building—where the foyer/entrance was—is being used for medical offices. Where the auditoriums were is where the apartments went in.
Even if someone could make general repairs, install new seating, etc. and continue to operate it as a “quad” (and do promotions) I betcha it would do well. It wouldn’t as good as a total restoration, but it would be better than demolition.
The LaGrange Theatre in LaGrange, IL is the same vintage as this theatre. It was “quadded” years ago, has somewhat limited parking, but gets good walk-in trade from the community. It does very well and is very crowded on weekends.
Was this the first shopping center cinema in the Chicago area?
This theatre’s name should be corrected to “Bloomingdale Court”.