Wilson Avenue Theater
1050 W. Wilson Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60640
1050 W. Wilson Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60640
4 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Double Door (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Jones, Linick & Schaefer
Architects: Henry L. Ottenheimer
Styles: Neo-Classical
Nearby Theaters
The Wilson Avenue Theater opened July 19, 1909 as one of the first large venues in the Uptown neighborhood, showing two vaudeville performances nightly. It was designed by Henry L. Ottenheimer and built at a cost of $50,000 for the Jones, Linick, Shaefer circuit. The theater seated 600 on the main floor and 300 in the balcony. The interior was described as pretty, and in buff and gold, with a mural over the proscenium, while the opening night show was not such a pretty sight.
Acts from the American Music Hall in the Loop frequently performed there. It was screening movies 1915 & 1916. In 1919 it was converted to a bank, Fidelity Bank. Later it was the Uptown State Bank, Federal Trust and Savings Bank, and then the Bank of Chicago. It was last named TCF Bank, with a mural on one side visible from the El and a trompe l'eoil mural on the other. The interior still looks like a cross between a theater and a bank.
In November 2018 plans were announced to convert the building into a live music venue Double Door, which had a 2022 planned opening. The planned opening was missed, but conversion continues in early-2023.
Contributed by
Brian Wolf
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 39 comments)
Still coming together…
https://twitter.com/adamselzer/status/1620182769493233665?s=48&t=M23iCW9Lb-NioANCDtrl1A&fbclid=IwAR20UQCyDDKXDBlT73R-rs535trBT-htBva1kaa7L-Yzi8ErdKhYQlnm8qQ
From the official Double Door Facebook page:
“I am aware that it looks like the lights have been out on the Double Door reopening for too long.
But, behind the scenes, we have been hard at work. As most of you know, the new Double Door’s home is in the Wilson Theater building.
It was built in 1909 and is designated as a historical building. Consequently, our project was under review by the City’s Landmark’s Division for almost 8 months.
Finally and gratefully, Landmarks gave us the thumbs up on our design. We submitted our full set of blueprints to the building department almost 6 months ago and are waiting for our construction permits.
We have been told that this could be anytime now. Hang in there and don’t loose faith ….. we haven’t.
In fact, Pete and I have decided to Zen this whole thing: “It happens when it happens.” (words to live by).
But more importantly, keep an eye on us … we have some pre-opening fun stuff in the works. Cheers and have happy holidays.
See you in 2024! Until then here’s to a happy, healthy, rocking New Year!"
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=706553391601742&set=a.530683382522078
https://chicagoyimby.com/2024/01/new-double-door-location-receives-permits-in-uptown.html
Another update with video interview of the owners. Late 2024/Early 2025 opening projected at the end.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/double-door-new-home-uptown-wilson-theater/?fbclid=IwAR1h7REYDewS2i0mDaebIlPUbkD6agfxoXPmqWkEWC3ZGM1omjvy5SCLN54
Status should be to open
No announcement or schedule as of yet on their official website or Facebook page below. I have reached out to them for confirmation. Nothing in the news since a grant they received in mid June. All links below.
https://www.doubledoor.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0f31MMKG75VrgQm8Tyea3938h95GXZohe0VNa6XfCwNVDmFRuX-_kf4SA_aem_B-mMnyL-Mv4PCnIrfCZ0iw
https://www.facebook.com/DoubleDoorChi
https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/06/17/double-door-theater-restoration-in-uptown-gets-5-million-city-grant/
Per Double Door owners tonight: “Not yet! But soon.”
I met the owner of the building during Open House Chicago this past weekend and he says the Wilson was never a movie theater but a house for burlesque and vaudeville.¯_(ツ)_/¯
The Tribune of July 26, 1915 lists this theater as showing a 3-reel Edison production called “Her Vocation,” plus the Chicago Tribune Weekly and two other reels. While it looks like this was mostly a live performance venue, “never” doesn’t quite hold up.
I notified the Double Door with proof it ran films in 1915 and 1916. Below is a print ad for the latter from the Gallery page. Tim O'Neill can probably find more on a further search.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/16568/photos/430040?fbclid=IwY2xjawGIegFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQPKlZDyFFx5WhgGA9wKOTvSkv1IfsIpwFy4mHly0U5GHt4VgTSlqh7l9g_aem_6hd3-QBivgnO5crINPhpbA