So, as one of the largest under-developed sites in Lombard, how is it NOT blighted? It looks to me like this particular TIF is being used precisely as intended.
Also, here’s an interesting quote I came across: “The first American performances of George Bernard Shaw and Henrik Ibsen took place in the Fine Arts Building theater which some claimed was Chicago’s equivalent of Carnegie Hall.”
Both. The division seems to have caused a lot of undue damage and the fact that it’s been sitting for some 15 years hasn’t helped. I’m told the basement is flooded quite badly. And it is apparently poorly secured enough that people can get in. It’s really unfortunate.
Thanks for your vivid description, Ken! I can really picture it now and your explanation makes much more sense. What was the interior like? I imagine it would be very plain
That’s all right. I just got the impression you were from the area. I think demolition is pretty certain- there’s been a sign announcing condos up for about six months and about a month and a half ago they cut a hole in the roof for some reason. It’s been fenced in for about the last month. http://www.lakeviewstation.com/ is the website for the condo development.
That’s correct. If you look at the roof it’s a little clearer. The rear of the theatre, I believe, is on dakin and there is a small rise at the ‘corner’ of the building, where a small stage may have been. I’ve never been inside. I wonder if this qualifies as an enter-at-rear theatre due to its odd configuration? The lobby is roughly in line with the stage, from what I can tell. At the peak of the ‘lobby’ section (narrow part) you can see some yellow enamel and rusted steel… I believe this was an earlier facade.
The Julian was one of a handful of early theaters built by James Costen, including the James Costen on E 61st, the New Western, and he also acquired the Ellis (Shakespeare)
I also have an address of 2735 W 55th (close enough) and it was open from, at least, 1935-1955 if not beyond in either direction. Assessor search shows this to be a vacant lot as of 2000.
Demolition on the mode is pending. It has been surrounded by fences for several weeks and a hole is cut in the roof. From peering in the windows, I could see no obvious remnants of being a theatre, but it’s hard to say what remains concealed. Perhaps i’ll see when the heavy equipment moves in.
In the last few days, the Julian has been in the demolition process. The church has been gone for some time. It appeared to be a rather simple interior, with some plaster ‘frames’ on the walls, and had a small balcony. I have some photos.
I wouldn’t say so. It’s a lot better than i’d expect for the price. It’s quiet, the prints are usually in good shape, popcorn is fresh. Not the cleanest place ever, but i’ve seen worse. Plus hardly anyone is ever there, so you don’t have to put up with a lot of obnoxious people. And with only one or two people working there, it would be quite easy to sneak in were one so inclined. It’s also a great time capsule of 80s cinema.
Correct address was 6225 N Broadway. It was owned by Herschell Gordon Lewis of exploitation fame, along with the 400, and Adelphi from 1967-1972. In 1972, he sold the lease of the Adelphi to Clyde Klepper and Jim Burrows, and 400 and Devon leases were sold to a third party. Burrows and Klepper quickly took on the 400 and Devon as well. In 1974 Bruce Trinz, who had run the famed Clark and son of one of the founders of the Lubliner & Trinz chain, was hired to program the three, which he did for several years. In 1977 the Devon and Adelphi were sublet to Richard Stern, who ran the Wilmette and whose family had been in the business since 1929. In the early 80s Burrows took back the Devon and Adelphi from Stern. The theaters, which were owned by a consortium of attorneys headed by lawyer Samuel Fumel, were deteriorating badly. In December 1984 the roof of the Devon collapsed, and Burrows asked the owners what they intended to do. One of the lawyers replied, “That’s what you have insurance for.” Fumel died in 1984, and soon the other owners were trying to sell the theaters. They sold the 400 in 1986. Tired of all the problems, Burrows unloaded the Devon and Adelphi in 1987. Prior to its demise, the Devon was owned by notorious chicago land bankers Lou Wolf and Ken Goldberg, who also have owned the Granada, Sheridan, Riviera, Uptown, and Marquette, among others. The Devon was finally demolished in 1996. Sources: Chicago Reader, “Three Penny Operator”, February 21, 1997; Chicago Magazine, “The Wrecker”, May 1989
I’m sorry for the confusion. The chicago historical society’s 1911 street renumeration guide (http://www.chsmedia.org/househistory/1911snc/start.pdf) shows that 176-78 was the old address and 110 was indeed the new address. The bijou dream was 178 and became 114.
Both were said to be built in 1916, and there is a listing on the American Theatre organ society page for a Chateau (Vogue) Theater. Hard to say if that’s just another mistaken identity though. Seems likely that they were one and the same. What was your source for the list of theatres in the Mitchell Bros. Chain shown in your comment on the Sheridan entry?
So, as one of the largest under-developed sites in Lombard, how is it NOT blighted? It looks to me like this particular TIF is being used precisely as intended.
http://patsabin.com/illinois/MichAveBldgs.htm Here is a postcard view of the Fine Arts building shortly after its renovation.
The scant lobby space can be seen here: http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/F/FineArts.html
Also, here’s an interesting quote I came across: “The first American performances of George Bernard Shaw and Henrik Ibsen took place in the Fine Arts Building theater which some claimed was Chicago’s equivalent of Carnegie Hall.”
They were two halls under one roof.
Both. The division seems to have caused a lot of undue damage and the fact that it’s been sitting for some 15 years hasn’t helped. I’m told the basement is flooded quite badly. And it is apparently poorly secured enough that people can get in. It’s really unfortunate.
Thanks for your vivid description, Ken! I can really picture it now and your explanation makes much more sense. What was the interior like? I imagine it would be very plain
Was this later known as the Norval (Norwal? Normal?), operating into the 50s?
That’s all right. I just got the impression you were from the area. I think demolition is pretty certain- there’s been a sign announcing condos up for about six months and about a month and a half ago they cut a hole in the roof for some reason. It’s been fenced in for about the last month. http://www.lakeviewstation.com/ is the website for the condo development.
That’s correct. If you look at the roof it’s a little clearer. The rear of the theatre, I believe, is on dakin and there is a small rise at the ‘corner’ of the building, where a small stage may have been. I’ve never been inside. I wonder if this qualifies as an enter-at-rear theatre due to its odd configuration? The lobby is roughly in line with the stage, from what I can tell. At the peak of the ‘lobby’ section (narrow part) you can see some yellow enamel and rusted steel… I believe this was an earlier facade.
View link Well, i’m at least fairly impressed. This multiplex is, if nothing else, a step in the right direction.
View link Here is an early interior photo of the pickwick. Elsewhere on the site is a rather extensive biography on Ianelli; View link
The Julian was one of a handful of early theaters built by James Costen, including the James Costen on E 61st, the New Western, and he also acquired the Ellis (Shakespeare)
I also have an address of 2735 W 55th (close enough) and it was open from, at least, 1935-1955 if not beyond in either direction. Assessor search shows this to be a vacant lot as of 2000.
Demolition on the mode is pending. It has been surrounded by fences for several weeks and a hole is cut in the roof. From peering in the windows, I could see no obvious remnants of being a theatre, but it’s hard to say what remains concealed. Perhaps i’ll see when the heavy equipment moves in.
In the last few days, the Julian has been in the demolition process. The church has been gone for some time. It appeared to be a rather simple interior, with some plaster ‘frames’ on the walls, and had a small balcony. I have some photos.
I wouldn’t say so. It’s a lot better than i’d expect for the price. It’s quiet, the prints are usually in good shape, popcorn is fresh. Not the cleanest place ever, but i’ve seen worse. Plus hardly anyone is ever there, so you don’t have to put up with a lot of obnoxious people. And with only one or two people working there, it would be quite easy to sneak in were one so inclined. It’s also a great time capsule of 80s cinema.
Well, the sum includes all the new development. I would imagine proper programming is included.
Correct address was 6225 N Broadway. It was owned by Herschell Gordon Lewis of exploitation fame, along with the 400, and Adelphi from 1967-1972. In 1972, he sold the lease of the Adelphi to Clyde Klepper and Jim Burrows, and 400 and Devon leases were sold to a third party. Burrows and Klepper quickly took on the 400 and Devon as well. In 1974 Bruce Trinz, who had run the famed Clark and son of one of the founders of the Lubliner & Trinz chain, was hired to program the three, which he did for several years. In 1977 the Devon and Adelphi were sublet to Richard Stern, who ran the Wilmette and whose family had been in the business since 1929. In the early 80s Burrows took back the Devon and Adelphi from Stern. The theaters, which were owned by a consortium of attorneys headed by lawyer Samuel Fumel, were deteriorating badly. In December 1984 the roof of the Devon collapsed, and Burrows asked the owners what they intended to do. One of the lawyers replied, “That’s what you have insurance for.” Fumel died in 1984, and soon the other owners were trying to sell the theaters. They sold the 400 in 1986. Tired of all the problems, Burrows unloaded the Devon and Adelphi in 1987. Prior to its demise, the Devon was owned by notorious chicago land bankers Lou Wolf and Ken Goldberg, who also have owned the Granada, Sheridan, Riviera, Uptown, and Marquette, among others. The Devon was finally demolished in 1996. Sources: Chicago Reader, “Three Penny Operator”, February 21, 1997; Chicago Magazine, “The Wrecker”, May 1989
The correct address for the theatre is 1807 S Allport; the listed address refers to the storefronts and building. Since the above links are no longer active, here are some additional ones.
View link
View link
http://www.beautiarch.com/thalia.htm
http://www.ikonosdesign.com/Page.html
http://www.moderealty.com/thaliahall/
http://www.timarroyo.com/gallery/misc/hall.html
http://www.timarroyo.com/gallery/misc/theater.html
You’re right. The LOC entry said 119 N Clark, I just must not have paid attention.
I haven’t seen Backdraft in a long time, but I know the Uptown in chicago was one of the filming locations.
I’m sorry for the confusion. The chicago historical society’s 1911 street renumeration guide (http://www.chsmedia.org/househistory/1911snc/start.pdf) shows that 176-78 was the old address and 110 was indeed the new address. The bijou dream was 178 and became 114.
There were some other close by theatres, for example the terminal and metro
Both were said to be built in 1916, and there is a listing on the American Theatre organ society page for a Chateau (Vogue) Theater. Hard to say if that’s just another mistaken identity though. Seems likely that they were one and the same. What was your source for the list of theatres in the Mitchell Bros. Chain shown in your comment on the Sheridan entry?
Looks like a McDonald’s.
I’d like to know this too. Recently a large number of interior photos was posted to http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6473 . It looks pretty blitzed to me, but you never know.