This was an early Rapp & Rapp project. https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=CEX19130814.1.11&srpos=13&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN-%22george+l.+rapp%22———
https://chicagology.com/rebuilding/rebuilding138/ - more history here.
The 1908 rebuilding was an early work by Rapp & Rapp, though it was rebuilt/redecorated many times before and after. https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1908-11-21_20_47/page/17/mode/1up?view=theater
From Paul Moore’s research notes:
“1914.30 Hippodrome
1619 W. 63rd St. Arch: Linderoth, Lietz & Schmitz. (538 Seats).
Open by 1914, to 1919.”
So the Hippodrome was definitely a smaller predecessor. I can’t find reference to Linderoth, Lietz & Schmitz but S. (Sven) Linderoth was definitely an architect.
American Contractor lists:
S. Linderoth & Co.63d st. 1619 - 1621 WMrs. N.M. PeacheSeptember 7, 191257American Contractor
So the (Ashland) Hippodrome opened in 1913, 538 Seats, changed names to Atlas in about 1918, and was demolished in 1919 to make way for the West Englewood.
Slated to close - too bad as this was a nice theater with traditional seats, big screens, no projection problems. https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/final-curtain-coming-for-amc-niles-12-theaters/
The Atlas name appears in at least a “Four Minute Men” list from 1918. I think the Hippodrome/Ashland Hippodrome/Atlas must have been a 299 seat type theater on the same site as it was not written about or advertised much at all. Most references to it are just lists of theaters showing serials. I can’t find anything about its construction. None of the articles about the construction of the West Englewood discuss remodeling an existing building.
Upon opening, the Randolph was the biggest theater in the north loop devoted to motion pictures, predating the palaces. Up to then, big pictures were shown at legitimate and vaudeville theaters, and the dedicated movie theaters were small places like the Orpheum, Strand, and Ziegfeld, while palaces were being built in outlying neighborhoods.
Yes, it was originally known as Ascher’s. It along with the Bijou and Marinette were sold to Fitzpatrick & McElroy and it was renamed to Strand. https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor32newy/page/663/mode/1up?view=theater
This November 16, 1916 issue of MPW says that the “Ascher’s” had opened in “Menomonie”(sp) seating 700 - perhaps only briefly under the Ascher ownership and then quickly changing to Strand the next year. https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor30newy/page/1048/mode/1up?view=theater
A building permit for shops and factory 1617-1625 W 12th St. appears in The Economist January 12, 1907. Architects for this project were Julius Speyer & Son.
https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435022587802?urlappend=%3Bseq=30%3Bownerid=13510798903008798-34
https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435022587802?urlappend=%3Bseq=30%3Bownerid=13510798903008798-34
Probably this theater: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435022587802?urlappend=%3Bseq=23%3Bownerid=13510798903008798-27
Early lobby view https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=osu.32435022587802&view=1up&seq=28&skin=2021&q1=rapp
This was remodeled by Rapp & Rapp prior to 1912. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858020077685&view=1up&seq=62&skin=2021&q1=rapp
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858020077685&view=1up&seq=62&skin=2021&q1=rapp This was an early Rapp & Rapp design.
The Broadway was an early Rapp & Rapp design. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858020077685&view=1up&seq=62&skin=2021&q1=rapp
The Orpheum was an early Rapp & Rapp design. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=iau.31858020077685&view=1up&seq=62&skin=2021&q1=rapp
This was an early Rapp & Rapp project. https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=CEX19130814.1.11&srpos=13&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN-%22george+l.+rapp%22———
Notably both the buildings housing its lobbies on Clark and Randolph were rebuilt or heavily remodeled several times.
https://chicagology.com/rebuilding/rebuilding138/ - more history here.
The 1908 rebuilding was an early work by Rapp & Rapp, though it was rebuilt/redecorated many times before and after. https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1908-11-21_20_47/page/17/mode/1up?view=theater
This is the Apollo/United Artists, not this theatre.
https://archive.org/details/exhibitorstr00newy/page/1260/mode/1up?view=theater An interesting photo of orchestra pit lighting
From Paul Moore’s research notes: “1914.30 Hippodrome 1619 W. 63rd St. Arch: Linderoth, Lietz & Schmitz. (538 Seats). Open by 1914, to 1919.”
So the Hippodrome was definitely a smaller predecessor. I can’t find reference to Linderoth, Lietz & Schmitz but S. (Sven) Linderoth was definitely an architect.
American Contractor lists: S. Linderoth & Co.63d st. 1619 - 1621 WMrs. N.M. PeacheSeptember 7, 191257American Contractor
So the (Ashland) Hippodrome opened in 1913, 538 Seats, changed names to Atlas in about 1918, and was demolished in 1919 to make way for the West Englewood.
Slated to close - too bad as this was a nice theater with traditional seats, big screens, no projection problems. https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/final-curtain-coming-for-amc-niles-12-theaters/
The Atlas name appears in at least a “Four Minute Men” list from 1918. I think the Hippodrome/Ashland Hippodrome/Atlas must have been a 299 seat type theater on the same site as it was not written about or advertised much at all. Most references to it are just lists of theaters showing serials. I can’t find anything about its construction. None of the articles about the construction of the West Englewood discuss remodeling an existing building.
Upon opening, the Randolph was the biggest theater in the north loop devoted to motion pictures, predating the palaces. Up to then, big pictures were shown at legitimate and vaudeville theaters, and the dedicated movie theaters were small places like the Orpheum, Strand, and Ziegfeld, while palaces were being built in outlying neighborhoods.
Looks like on or around September 1, 1914
Yes, it was originally known as Ascher’s. It along with the Bijou and Marinette were sold to Fitzpatrick & McElroy and it was renamed to Strand. https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor32newy/page/663/mode/1up?view=theater
This November 16, 1916 issue of MPW says that the “Ascher’s” had opened in “Menomonie”(sp) seating 700 - perhaps only briefly under the Ascher ownership and then quickly changing to Strand the next year. https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor30newy/page/1048/mode/1up?view=theater
The 1913 Polk’s City Directory notes that Barney Balaban was operating the White Palace in that year. (Balaban Brothers)
https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor76sept/page/648/mode/1up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/movingpicturewor71novd/page/746/mode/1up?view=theater
The first Crystal Theatre opened for Schaefer Brothers October 3, 1908.
A building permit for shops and factory 1617-1625 W 12th St. appears in The Economist January 12, 1907. Architects for this project were Julius Speyer & Son.