The Oriental closed in December, 1980 following a rise in gang violence. The final operators were Kohlberg Theaters, decendants of which continue to operate the Cascade Drive-In. The theater was originally to have been converted to a two-story shopping mall with 5 stories of the original theater above as a theater-in-the-round.
Actually, it closed September 1, 1979 and was not demolished until 1980. At one time, the intention had been to completely demolish six blocks of the North Loop, including all the movie palaces. I think at that time the plan for that particular block had been to develop it piecemeal.
The theater was originally announced as the “Oak Park” theater with a September 29, 1935 article in the Tribune. It was noted as the first suburban cinema since 1929. Interestingly it noted that the theater was to be leased by Essaness and constructed by a “Loews, Inc.” Not sure if this is the same Loews of film fame.
“From 1983 to 1990, Mr. Mesbur was the exclusive architect for Cineplex Odeon Corporation, during which time he was responsible for the design of over 250 multiplex locations in Canada, the United States and England. After the establishment of Mesbur+Smith Architects, the firm completed an additional five projects for Cineplex Odeon.” – http://www.mesbursmith.com/
Plitt was sold to Cineplex in June 1985 and finalized in November of that year. They continued using the Plitt name for a while after that happened. See this article.
Essaness was sold to Cineplex in May of 1986. And yes, Chestnut was also remodeled. See this article.
I’m quite sure it will never return. They took the unusual step of removing the signage from the front of the building. And with Kerasotes' new multiplex set to go in at Golf Mill, nobody would want to compete. It’s a little sad, the place had that 80s timewarp character, so few of these early multis are left. The Golf Glen opened Friday, June 8, 1984 with The Natural, Moscow on the Hudson, Beat Street and the other three screens opening shortly thereafter with Pope of Greenwich Village, Karate Kid, Conan the Barbarian, and Bachelor Party. It was touted as featuring Dolby Stereo, Plush Seating, and Acres of Parking. Tickets were 2.25 for matinees. Also, I don’t think that Plitt ever operated this – both Essaness and Plitt were absorbed by CO, not each other. CO also renovated the theater somewhat in 1987-1988.
I don’t know the layout of the building or anything, but it seems to me that it wouldn’t make sense to have windows like that in the stage section. Does the angle the sunlight is hitting at tell us anything about the orientation of the photo? It’s hard to get a sense of perspective.
As far as anyone can tell, nothing whatsoever has been salvaged. The bricks, as in most demolitions, are being palleted and sold as antique brick. There was at one point an offer to the local historical society for material of their choice to be removed, but it doesn’t look like that happened.
A rendering of the condos can be seen with this (oddly negative) Chicago Reader article. View link They’re very much cookie cutter suburban condos, but the alderman seems very excited about the tacked-on clock tower. He said that input from him and the community made the development become more attractive – I shudder to consider what the original plan was. The building was very solid and in good shape for its age, the lobby section could easily have sat in front of condos in the auditorium. Just blocks away, this was done with the Howard theater, and also with the Buckingham farther south on Clark. Shameful, shameful destruction.
The Oriental closed in December, 1980 following a rise in gang violence. The final operators were Kohlberg Theaters, decendants of which continue to operate the Cascade Drive-In. The theater was originally to have been converted to a two-story shopping mall with 5 stories of the original theater above as a theater-in-the-round.
Actually, it closed September 1, 1979 and was not demolished until 1980. At one time, the intention had been to completely demolish six blocks of the North Loop, including all the movie palaces. I think at that time the plan for that particular block had been to develop it piecemeal.
Incidentally, Graven & Mayger were both formerly of Rapp & Rapp.
The facades were landmarked; it would have been difficult (though not unprecedented) to tear them down.
The cook county assessor’s office changed their system. To access pages there now, change the ‘/filings/searchnew/’ in the url to ‘/ccaosearch/’.
I came across an article saying that a copy of the Marbro was to be built near the Tivoli in Woodlawn, presumably before the Granada deal popped up.
The theater was originally announced as the “Oak Park” theater with a September 29, 1935 article in the Tribune. It was noted as the first suburban cinema since 1929. Interestingly it noted that the theater was to be leased by Essaness and constructed by a “Loews, Inc.” Not sure if this is the same Loews of film fame.
You mean like the Gene Siskel Film Center, or a premium-style muliplex?
Here is an article on the occasion of the Woods' closing.
Here is an article from the theater’s opening
“From 1983 to 1990, Mr. Mesbur was the exclusive architect for Cineplex Odeon Corporation, during which time he was responsible for the design of over 250 multiplex locations in Canada, the United States and England. After the establishment of Mesbur+Smith Architects, the firm completed an additional five projects for Cineplex Odeon.” – http://www.mesbursmith.com/
here is a second article. Note the architect is listed as David K. Mesbur.
Article on the Chestnut here.
Is this what it looked like?
Plitt was sold to Cineplex in June 1985 and finalized in November of that year. They continued using the Plitt name for a while after that happened. See this article.
Essaness was sold to Cineplex in May of 1986. And yes, Chestnut was also remodeled. See this article.
It was never run by Plitt. See these opening articles.
Here is another.
Here is an article about the theater.
Here’s a few items from today on the renovation. They must have been doing press tours. Looks great! A major difference!
View link
View link
View link
I’m quite sure it will never return. They took the unusual step of removing the signage from the front of the building. And with Kerasotes' new multiplex set to go in at Golf Mill, nobody would want to compete. It’s a little sad, the place had that 80s timewarp character, so few of these early multis are left. The Golf Glen opened Friday, June 8, 1984 with The Natural, Moscow on the Hudson, Beat Street and the other three screens opening shortly thereafter with Pope of Greenwich Village, Karate Kid, Conan the Barbarian, and Bachelor Party. It was touted as featuring Dolby Stereo, Plush Seating, and Acres of Parking. Tickets were 2.25 for matinees. Also, I don’t think that Plitt ever operated this – both Essaness and Plitt were absorbed by CO, not each other. CO also renovated the theater somewhat in 1987-1988.
I don’t know the layout of the building or anything, but it seems to me that it wouldn’t make sense to have windows like that in the stage section. Does the angle the sunlight is hitting at tell us anything about the orientation of the photo? It’s hard to get a sense of perspective.
Was also known as the Loop End in the early 30s
There’s a photo in this sunday’s (1/29/06) Tribune Magazine of the theatre while the El Rukn gang controlled it. Pretty lovely building.
Sounds like #2 might be on the old stage?
Despite all the efforts to secure the building, 5 or 6 new grafitti tags appeared in the past few days. It’s just too enticing of a billboard.
As far as anyone can tell, nothing whatsoever has been salvaged. The bricks, as in most demolitions, are being palleted and sold as antique brick. There was at one point an offer to the local historical society for material of their choice to be removed, but it doesn’t look like that happened.
A rendering of the condos can be seen with this (oddly negative) Chicago Reader article. View link They’re very much cookie cutter suburban condos, but the alderman seems very excited about the tacked-on clock tower. He said that input from him and the community made the development become more attractive – I shudder to consider what the original plan was. The building was very solid and in good shape for its age, the lobby section could easily have sat in front of condos in the auditorium. Just blocks away, this was done with the Howard theater, and also with the Buckingham farther south on Clark. Shameful, shameful destruction.