It opened as the Pine Grove Theatre for the Alfred Hamburger circuit. It was not named Panorama until 1920. It was renamed “Little” upon acquisition by Essaness in 1929. It then returned to the Panorama name from 1932-1939, and became the Essex from then on.
Well, there’s the Gateway still showing films fairly regularly, the Portage is set to reopen apparently. There are of course lots of others still standing and used for other purposes, like the Congress, Riviera, Oriental, Chicago, Lakeshore etc. There are ones that have been entirely repuposed. Then there’s H&E Balaban theaters like the Esquire, Pickwick, and Des Plaines.
My source on the Essaness was either a newspaper article or ad, so it’s pretty definite. Looking up the original opening articles, I note a few inaccuracies in the above description; it was originally built by Morton Fink Enterprises and held closer to 1,600 with parking for 2,000 cars and was claimed as the first shopping center theater in the area. Shortly thereafter Fink enterprises followed with the Randhurst. Features included six-track stereo and a 60-foot screen, as well as an ‘electronically-heated canopy to keep sidewalks dry’. The lobby included an art gallery and TV Coffee Lounge, and was decorated in Teak and Marble. It cost closer to $1,200,000 and opened December 22, 1962. Anyway, with features like these it’s relatively easy to see how it would be impractical to put back into use, and it’s somewhat understandable why CO closed it. It was amid one of their major pre-bancruptcy theater closing sprees and they cited asbestos as the reason, although i’m sure the real reason was that it was probably rather inefficient to operate, given all the splits and smallish lobby. I just wish i’d have been able to go there before it closed, I only went perhaps once when I was about 5 to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
It wouldn’t make sense to reopen, either, because even if it hadn’t been gutted it was designed for a single-screen. But it was gutted, and continues to operate successfully as a gym. Too bad. I don’t think the market ever dissapeared, it was just a poorly-run theater. It should be interesting to see what Keresotes comes up with; this will be their first entry into the market. As a sidenote, Paul, I take it you’re local since this ran in the Journal today, if you’d ever like a tour of the Des Plaines, just send me an email.
Very intriguing news! Wolkowicz is the man behind Silent Film Chicago, and one of the best theater organists in the area, under a psuedonym. http://lakeclaremontpress.blogspot.com/ includes another blurb I just found on this project. I’m amazed this has kept so quiet! He must be planning to reinstall an organ, I wonder which? My bet would be on the Gateway or Patio, I suppose. I don’t know if he reads this page, but if he does, i’d certainly like to volunteer any help I can give. My contact information is in my profile.
A list of building permits in the Chicago Tribune, July 23, 1919 p22 lists W.W. Ahlschlager, famed future architect of the Roxy, as the architect of the theater to be erected on the Chicago United site.
The Crown was built by W.A. Wieboldt of department store fame. Architect was Robert C. Berlin, associated with William Bender and John Eberson. This information, and a rendering, appears in the July 18, 1909 Chicago Tribune, page I17.
The Music Box was originally announced with the name “New Blaine” in the August 30, 1928 Tribune on p19. A rendering appeared in the October 28 edition on page B4. In both articles, Louis I. Simon (not A) and Edward Steinborn are named as architects. Steinborn was likely the engineer. Louis I. Simon is also named elsewhere as architect of several other Chicago buildings, so I think this clears up the confusion with Louis A. Simon, who was a major government architect. This was further confirmed in an August 14, 1983 article when Louis I. Simon’s son wrote in to inform that his father had built it.
This was originally a Telenews theatre and was announced under the Telenews name when the building was remodeled to accomodate it in 1939. Dubin & Dubin were architects.
Interior decoration was done by important sculptor and designer Alfonso Iannelli, who also worked on the Pickwick, Catlow, Midway Gardens, Prudential building, etc.
So, has this condo plan ever been verified? Because it certainly looks like they’re putting money into the building from their october newsletter. Also their theater page mentions “The Copernicus Foundation is in he midst of a fund raising effort to build a new theatrical stage and renovate the Mitchell Kobelinski Theatre. You can be a major contributor to this effort. ”
Also, here is a photo of the top of the lobby ballroom.
It opened as the Pine Grove Theatre for the Alfred Hamburger circuit. It was not named Panorama until 1920. It was renamed “Little” upon acquisition by Essaness in 1929. It then returned to the Panorama name from 1932-1939, and became the Essex from then on.
Well, there’s the Gateway still showing films fairly regularly, the Portage is set to reopen apparently. There are of course lots of others still standing and used for other purposes, like the Congress, Riviera, Oriental, Chicago, Lakeshore etc. There are ones that have been entirely repuposed. Then there’s H&E Balaban theaters like the Esquire, Pickwick, and Des Plaines.
My source on the Essaness was either a newspaper article or ad, so it’s pretty definite. Looking up the original opening articles, I note a few inaccuracies in the above description; it was originally built by Morton Fink Enterprises and held closer to 1,600 with parking for 2,000 cars and was claimed as the first shopping center theater in the area. Shortly thereafter Fink enterprises followed with the Randhurst. Features included six-track stereo and a 60-foot screen, as well as an ‘electronically-heated canopy to keep sidewalks dry’. The lobby included an art gallery and TV Coffee Lounge, and was decorated in Teak and Marble. It cost closer to $1,200,000 and opened December 22, 1962. Anyway, with features like these it’s relatively easy to see how it would be impractical to put back into use, and it’s somewhat understandable why CO closed it. It was amid one of their major pre-bancruptcy theater closing sprees and they cited asbestos as the reason, although i’m sure the real reason was that it was probably rather inefficient to operate, given all the splits and smallish lobby. I just wish i’d have been able to go there before it closed, I only went perhaps once when I was about 5 to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
It wouldn’t make sense to reopen, either, because even if it hadn’t been gutted it was designed for a single-screen. But it was gutted, and continues to operate successfully as a gym. Too bad. I don’t think the market ever dissapeared, it was just a poorly-run theater. It should be interesting to see what Keresotes comes up with; this will be their first entry into the market. As a sidenote, Paul, I take it you’re local since this ran in the Journal today, if you’d ever like a tour of the Des Plaines, just send me an email.
Very intriguing news! Wolkowicz is the man behind Silent Film Chicago, and one of the best theater organists in the area, under a psuedonym. http://lakeclaremontpress.blogspot.com/ includes another blurb I just found on this project. I’m amazed this has kept so quiet! He must be planning to reinstall an organ, I wonder which? My bet would be on the Gateway or Patio, I suppose. I don’t know if he reads this page, but if he does, i’d certainly like to volunteer any help I can give. My contact information is in my profile.
*1914
The Rogers was open as early as 1916, according to ads
A list of building permits in the Chicago Tribune, July 23, 1919 p22 lists W.W. Ahlschlager, famed future architect of the Roxy, as the architect of the theater to be erected on the Chicago United site.
The Crown was built by W.A. Wieboldt of department store fame. Architect was Robert C. Berlin, associated with William Bender and John Eberson. This information, and a rendering, appears in the July 18, 1909 Chicago Tribune, page I17.
The Music Box was originally announced with the name “New Blaine” in the August 30, 1928 Tribune on p19. A rendering appeared in the October 28 edition on page B4. In both articles, Louis I. Simon (not A) and Edward Steinborn are named as architects. Steinborn was likely the engineer. Louis I. Simon is also named elsewhere as architect of several other Chicago buildings, so I think this clears up the confusion with Louis A. Simon, who was a major government architect. This was further confirmed in an August 14, 1983 article when Louis I. Simon’s son wrote in to inform that his father had built it.
Henry L. Newhouse was announced as architect in the Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1919, pE23
Architect was announced as Henry L. Newhouse in Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1918 p16
Architect was Grossman & Proskauer. See rendering, Chicago Tribune, January 25, 1914 p11
Architect E.P. Rupert. See Chicago Tribune, December 12, 1925 p28
A May 30, 1926 Rendering and Caption in the Chicago Tribune identifies R.G. Wolff as the Architect for the yet-unnamed Patio.
Rapp & Rapp moved their offices to the State-Lake building as of 1918.
The Loop is presently being demolished. Also, during the 1950s it briefly reverted to the Telenews name and format before returning to the Loop name.
This was originally a Telenews theatre and was announced under the Telenews name when the building was remodeled to accomodate it in 1939. Dubin & Dubin were architects.
Huh?
There was apparently an early mural of Alfonso Iannelli’s here. Chicago Tribune, 4/7/1916 p20
Interior decoration was done by important sculptor and designer Alfonso Iannelli, who also worked on the Pickwick, Catlow, Midway Gardens, Prudential building, etc.
What a lovely, well designed site. It’s better than the nothing they had for the last year or so, I guess.
View link oops…
So, has this condo plan ever been verified? Because it certainly looks like they’re putting money into the building from their october newsletter. Also their theater page mentions “The Copernicus Foundation is in he midst of a fund raising effort to build a new theatrical stage and renovate the Mitchell Kobelinski Theatre. You can be a major contributor to this effort. ”
Also, here is a photo of the top of the lobby ballroom.
View link Here’s a CATOE article on the organ.
More at http://www.catoe.org/Uptown.html
Theatre historical society would probably be interested.