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The dicey fate of the historic Uptown Theatre was finally decided Tuesday, when local entertainment promoter Jam Productions purchased the vacant landmark for $3.2 million at court-ordered foreclosure sale. The Chicago-based event promoter has promised to restore the 1925 movie palace to its former glory.
“We’ve been trying to nail this down for nine or 10 years,” said Jam principle and co-founder Jerry Mickelson. “It’s a national landmark and we have to figure out how to get it opened because it’s one of the most beautiful theaters in America.”
Mickelson told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday that Jam will require assistance from the city of Chicago to restore the stately theater, with current estimates for the work carrying a price tag of $30 - $45 million.
“We have to sit down with the city, the state and federal governments,” Mickelson continued. “But we wouldn’t have been [at the auction Tuesday] if we hadn’t been optimistic about getting it done.”
The city has already spent $1.4 million over the past decade on emergency repairs just to keep the building standing, according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Some of the crumbling building’s human neighbors hope that these past expenditures indicate the city’s willingness to recreate the Uptown’s past as an entertainment destination.
“You would think that with all of the taxes we’re paying, the city could squeeze a few of those dollars towards the theater,” said 27-year-old Uptown resident Kirt Johnson. “It would be great to see a community gathering place created there.”
Forty-year-old Beth Gonder, who now lives in Rogers Park, agreed with Johnson. “I lived in Uptown almost 10 years ago, when it was truly scary,” she said. “The area has developed a lot since then, but restoring the theater would be a huge push towards cleaning things up.”
Mickelson hopes that Jam’s commitment to the Uptown neighborhood – the company also owns the Riviera Theatre and presents all non-Latin music events at the Aragon Ballroom, both less than a block from the Uptown – will be an attractive reason for the city to invest in the restoration of the Uptown Theatre.
“[Controlling the Riviera and Aragon] makes it easier when we sit down with the city,” he said. “We can present a cohesive plan for the area, including a parking component, transportation, and working with the police department. It will all be under one umbrella.”
The last show at the old Uptown was a 1981 performance by the J. Geils Band, which Jam produced. As for a fitting first show at the restored theater, Mickelson isn’t being picky. “I have a dream that there will be a first show,” he said. “That’s the goal for now.”
Photo by Comtesse DeSpair
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If you're wondering what the theater looks like on the inside now, check out this documentary. I'm in love with it!
Forty-year-old Beth Gonder, who now lives in Rogers Park, agreed with Johnson. “I lived in Uptown almost 10 years ago, when it was truly scary,”
I lived in Uptown 10 years ago, too. It wasn't very scary then. It was scarier 15-20 years ago. But this is still really good news.
“You would think that with all of the taxes we’re paying, the city could squeeze a few of those dollars towards the theater,” said 27-year-old Uptown resident Kirt Johnson. “It would be great to see a community gathering place created there.”
Why do i ahve the feeling that this will be a venue for paid events, and not a community gathering space?
It sure would be nice for it to be used as a movie theater/screening space occasionally, as it was originally intended. Not holding my breath though.
Cool documentary groggy. Carey Primeau also has some great photos on his site of the inside of the Uptown:
http://careyprimeau.com/section/26624.html
I've heard from other people that they were pulling for Live Nation (the other bidder in the auction) because they're worried Jam will just sit on the Uptown and keep it closed so it won't be competition. Or worse yet that it will end up like the Riv (which, lets face it is hardly restored to its former glory)Maybe this is Jam's way of trying to reassure the community? I can't say who's right but it is good news that at least SOME progress is being made.
@mich--I've been meaning to order a print of one of those. Amazing shots of an amazing building. I especially like the one of all the seats.
I hope that Jam wouldnt keep it closed. Wouldnt it be in their favor to open it? It wouldnt really be competetion for them since they monopolize the area now. But I agree, poptart, the Riv is disgusting, I would hope the Uptown wouldnt have the same fate.
Who owns the Musicbox? I'd kill to see it turn into the same sort of venue, complete with midnight screenings, etc. Wishful thinking, I'm sure.
Forty-year-old Beth Gonder, who now lives in Rogers Park, agreed with Johnson. “I lived in Uptown almost 10 years ago, when it was truly scary,”
I lived in Uptown 10 years ago, too. It wasn't very scary then. It was scarier 15-20 years ago. But this is still really good news.
I lived there 25 years ago, when it was even scarier. We can do this all day. Also I bought a condo on sunnyside and broadway for $40,000.