Since its opening in 1927, the Avalon Regal Theater has served as an arts hub, hosting legendary performances, movie screenings, and community events.

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After years of under-investment, this 2,500 seat historic venue closed doors in 2008 and has since remained shuttered - leaving a void in the cultural fabric of Chicago’s South Side.

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Project Detail

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The Avalon Regal Theater, designed in a Moorish Revival-style by architect John Eberson, was constructed in 1927.

 

The five-story building is situated at the southwest corner of East 79th Street and South East End Avenue.

 

The exterior facades consist of decorative wire-cut face brick and glazed terra cotta cladding on the north facade, and a combination of wire-cut face brick and Chicago common brick on the east, west, and south facades.

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The north facade of the building was constructed with numerous decorative elements, including two terra cotta clad turrets and a domed tower at the roof level, along with decorative terra cotta bands at the parapet level and at the water table above the height of the entrance canopy.

 

The brick masonry portions of the north facade utilize numerous decorative elements that include corbelled bands, diamond and grid shaped patterns within contrasting gothic arch brick profiles, and ornamental terra cotta embellishments.

 

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The west end of the north facade is adorned with a terra cotta colonnade and a terra cotta clad parapet wall that is set between the two turrets.

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The main entrance to the theater is located near the west end of the facade below the colonnade and the Regal marquee.

 

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Six secondary exits along the north facade are set within pointed arch punched openings.

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At the upper portion of the west facade, brown wire-cut brick profiles form seven gothic arches, which are infilled with contrasting pink brick.

 

The lower portion of the facade is decorated with a Mitchell Caton and Calvin Jones mural named “Bright Moments, Memories of the Future”, which celebrates the theater’s history as a place of entertainment in the neighborhood, having regularly hosted artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Chicago-native Nat King Cole.

 

 

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Our project is a symbol of how historic preservation and innovative technology work together to meet a society’s changing needs.

 

From harvesting solar energy to wowing audiences with holographic tech, local talent, and vocational programs, the Avalon Regal Theater will shine as best in class for sustainability and venue operation.

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Other local developments include the Obama Presidential Center and Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park located 5 minutes east of the theater on 79th Street and the coast of Lake Michigan.

 

The Avalon Regal Theater is currently applying to the National Register of Historic Places, which will make more government incentives available to the project.

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Restoration Plan

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In December 2024, the City of Chicago agreed to a phased re-opening of the Avalon Regal Theater, starting with restoration of the grand Banquet Hall.

 

Phase 1 of construction, which includes reopening the grand Banquet Hall for events is expected to take approximately one year. Construction during this phase includes exterior envelope repairs and plaster restoration in the Banquet Hall, as well as repairs to public toilets, building-wide mechanical, engineering, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

 

Phase 2 of the development includes full restoration of the remaining interior, including the auditorium, terra cotta facade/masonry, and remainder of the building. This phase is devoted primarily to facade restoration and roof replacement work and it will not affect operation of the Banquet Hall during construction.

 

Presently, total development costs for Phases 1 and 2 are estimated at $30 million over the next 2-3 years.

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Project Team

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Architect of Record - O’Riley Office

Architect: Dan O'Riley, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

oriley-office.com/#/ramova-theatre

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Structural Engineering / Exterior Enclosure Consultant - Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Project Manager: Rachel Will, PE

Project Engineers: Sarah Van Domelen, PE

Project Architects: Edward Gerns, RA, Matthew Novesky, RA, Jason Aspin, RA, Nicole Declet, Amanda Marshall, and Gloria Moy, RA

www.wje.com

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Masonry / Historic / Facade - Central Building & Preservation L.P.

Vice President and Principal: Mark Kuberski

www.centralbldg.com

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Mechanical Engineering / Architecture - MEPIS Inc.

CEO: Santos A. Torres

www.mepisinc.com
 

Tax Credit / Energy Credit Advisory - Ryan, LLC   

Director: Historic Tax Credits: Andrew Elders

Director: Government Income Tax Consulting and Green Energy Incentives: Scott Stogsdill

ryan.com/practice-areas/credits--incentives/historic-tax-credits

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Property / Tax Credit Insurance - National Trust Insurance Services, LLC

Client Executive: Brendan Moag

www.mdpins.com/historic-properties

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Non-Profit Counsel - Handler Law, LLP

Attorney: Andrew D. Morton

handler.law/personnel/andrew-d-morton

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Event Management / Business Development - Fruition Consulting
Diana McCaskill, Partner

Richard McCaskill, Partner

www.fruitionmultimedia.com/team

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Head of Talent

John Monopoly

https://youtu.be/Zm3GQ7hL-aA?t=2047

https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-manager-john-monopoly-world-tour-ye-live-dates-1235629717/

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Current Projects

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• Exterior Envelope

  • Repair (masonry/roofing) associated with reopening the Banquet Hall

  • Temporary stabilization at other portions of the theater building

• Architectural design, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

• Construction planning

• ​Consulting

• Building management

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Timeline

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• Campaign Launch: February 2025

• Campaign Completion: Summer 2025

• Restoration Work Begins: Fall 2025

• Reopening: Fall 2026

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​Funding

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Project funding is being sourced through historic restoration grants, private foundations, private equity, and government historic tax credits and grants.

 

Join us on this exciting journey to bring back one of Chicago's most beloved venues! Click here to contribute to our mission:

www.avalonregal.com/donate

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​We are currently filming interviews of people with stories about the Avalon Regal Theater.

 

If you have a story to tell, please fill out the contact form at www.avalonregal.com.

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