Village Art Theatre

Reopened on December 28th, 1962 as Globe. Grand opening ad posted.

Was also still The Globe Theatre in 1966 when I worked there, per my comment here, 11/28/2013

Had a few interesting experiences with this theater many years ago when it was still operating. Namely the cashiers who were annoyed at any customer who happened to walk though the door and the ticket tearer who would literally curl up in a ball and nap on a bench between films. Ahh, the stress of working at an empty arthouse on a Sunday afternoon.

Sharing this June 2018 link because it has close-ups of some of the stone details.

https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/news-and-events/2018/06/03/chicagos-historic-village-theater-reduced-to-facedectomy-after-auditorium-demolished?fbclid=IwAR1IIsjQszVYuZ2mMhNy5QD1LHLP4UcAW-SmxegKhc2xZ2BeTLJUAng4YmY

Received an update from the developer that includes additional photos of progress, showing the facade from above.

https://1550onthepark.com/news/construction-update-fifteen-fifty-going-vertical/?utm_source=1550+Team+List&utm_campaign=1fc26c53d2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_06_02_55_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_240d2358cd-1fc26c53d2-200067361&mc_cid=1fc26c53d2&mc_eid=76b7f82708

Demolition on the auditorium has begun, broken through the wall on the North elevation. Monday would be the next day to get photos, as they will likely finish off the auditorium then. Contrary to what I previously mentioned, the facade will not be removed, numbered and replaced. I originally thought that due to the 3 containers stacked in front of it. Instead it will remain in place, anchored to those 3 containers via I beams for the duration of demolition and new construction. I had thought of the removal & replacement scenario, because that is what was done to the Cedar Hotel on State Street at Cedar. But that facade did not have landmark status. It was just thankfully saved and reattached to the new structure behind it, to appease the neighborhood and alderman in the early discussions. I have uploaded a few photos from today of the facade reinforcement and the broken through North elevation auditorium wall, as visible from North Avenue.

OK I’ve added some photos from today with the marquee removed. It exposed some original recessed lighting over the entryway, as well as vertical and square lighting previously hidden by the marquee. 10 vertical fixtures per side, and 14 fixtures per side in a square pattern, that had been encapsulated by the framing for the newer marquee.

The building received landmark status in 2009. A 2008 link is above in the comments. I have not heard of any plans for it’s return to an active theatre. The sales office on Well Street for the project is not open yet, but the website is finally up. The only recent changes were the cutting down of the trees in the parkway behind it and replacing them with utility poles. Also construction fencing and cement barricades on the Clark Street side. The No Parking signs are dated until February. I’ve asked the nearby commercial tenants and all they’ve heard is that electrical work will be first. Here is the website, though it has a VIP sign up and not much info yet.

http://1550onthepark.com/

Furiouslion, that’s very good news. Do you have a link to an article or story for attribution?

I added artist’s rendering images of the re-purposed facade, from the sales office window now on Wells Street. Also some photos of the rear of the theatre, coal chute and exits. As this area may not be accessible soon. Trees in a parkway behind it have been cut down, and blue construction fencing has now gone up in front of the theatre as of earlier this week. I’ll get pics of that soon.

I would love to see this theatre renovated and turned into something akin to the New Beverly in LA…

On 8/4/16 Variety reported that the Germania had opened July 29, 1916, calling the house “one of the prettiest in Chicago”.

On 9/21/17 the Chicago Tribune reported that Lubliner & Trinz were negotiating to lease the theater, this must have fallen through.

It was renamed by May, 1918 due to WWI anti-German sentiment.