Crane Theatre
4236 S. Archer Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60632
4236 S. Archer Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60632
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Schoenstadt
Architects: Ludvig Novy
Firms: Ludvig Novy & Son
Functions: Office Space
Previous Names: New Archer Theatre
Nearby Theaters
This small theatre, seating just under 300, opened in 1916 and was located in the Brighton Park neighborhood. It was designed by architect Ludvig Novy. The Crane Theatre, which was operated by the Schoenstadt circuit from about 1920 until 1948, was located not far from another Schoenstadt movie house, the Brighton Theatre, just down Archer Avenue.
The theatre was reopened briefly in the early-1950’s with a new name, the New Archer Theatre (named after a far larger, earlier Schoenstadt theatre in the McKinley Park neighborhood which closed in the 1940’s), and was afterward converted to retail use.
The former theatre last housed a florist shop, but this was closed by 2007, and the property was vacant in 2013. By 2019 it was in use as a Child Development consortium.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
This theatre is still used as a flower shop.
Does any one know of any pic of this place?
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A small profile with a picture of the facade (covered in the 1970s) is available through HAARGIS
That was a great shot thank you for the post.
An up date for you know the flower shop from what i have seen seams to have closed . What is going in their i do not know.
But if i am correct if you get up close to the window and look tord the back of the shop look to the floor and you can see the name “CRANE” written in mosacice tile on the floor i rember this from the flower shop days and if i am wright it is still their.
Thank you for you time. :)
Just an update for the crain
The Brightion Park flower shop is gone and it is now dark looking for some one to rent or lease it .
I hope that it gets something in there that is use full and dose not destroy the bulding . If you look in the window you can see whare the name of the theatre is writen in the floor.
And you can also get your barings to whare the boxoffice was.
Thank you for your time .:)
Good news i went past the CRAIN a few days ago and work men are in their and you can get VERY good look all the way to the back of the place you can also see the CRAIN written on the floor near the door.
I went by the CRAIN to day they covered over the wrighting on the floor with this cheep self stick flooring no work on it i think that their is a stop order form the city.
I just hop that their is a nother biz going in their and it wont end up like the Brightion across the street.
Thank you for you time:)
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dmo36l
As of 2019, a Child Development consortium. Building has bee substantially remodeled but maintains some of the former theater features.